308 Proceedings, &c. } for 1882. 



A communication was received from Mr. E. L. Marks, lecturer at 

 the School of Mines, Sandhurst, stating that he had analysed a 

 specimen of a so-called non-alcoholic wine, with the result that 

 alcohol was shown unmistakably to be present, as well as iodoform. 



Mr. D. Anderson then read his paper on " Improvements in 

 Contrivances for Varying the Gauge of Wheels of Boiling Stock for 

 Rail and other Permanent Ways." He likewise exhibited a model 

 of his invention. 



Mr. Kernot pointed out that the gauge in use in New South Wales 

 being 4 ft. 8 J in., while that of Victoria is 5 ft. 3 in., some such 

 contrivance became of the utmost utility in encouraging intercolonial 

 traffic. Mr. Anderson's invention was not costly, and might be used 

 on a large scale. 



Mr. White said that New South Wales was entirely responsible 

 for the differences in gauge. 



Mr. Kernot then read his paper, " The Lateral Stability of the 

 Victoria -street Bridge." 



Mr. Ellery said that a considerable lateral stability was very 

 necessary, as so little was known of the force of sudden wind gusts 

 in ravines. 



Mr. Kernot said that the result of some experiments he had 

 recently made was that even in gusts the ordinary pressure of the 

 wind was only some 3 lbs. or 4 lbs. to the square inch ; 5^ lbs. was 

 an uncomfortably strong breeze. There are many of our Melbourne 

 chimneys and steeples which will fall if the wind pressure exceeds 

 12 lbs. to the square foot. • 



The Rev. D. Macdonald read extracts from his paper, " The 

 Oceanic Languages Shemitic: a Discovery." 



Uth December, 1882. 

 The President in the Chair — Present, 14 members and associates. 



Mr. G. S. Griffiths and Mr. Thomas Walters were elected mem- 

 bers, and Messrs. J. H. Fraser and H. W. Mills associates. 



The Hon. Librarian announced the receipt of 8 vols, and 105 

 parts . 



Mr. M'lvor then read a paper on " Whakaari, a New Zealand 

 Sulphur Island." 



Mr. M'lvor exhibited specimens of sulphur he had collected when 

 in New Zealand. 



In answer to questions, Mr. M'lvor stated that the springs 

 generally shoot straight up — some to the height of 50 feet — and 

 that there are ten f umeroles on one side of the centre lake. The 

 total area is estimated at about 640 acres. The meaning of the 



