502 Proceedings. 



7. "On the Position of Sulpliocyanogen among the Elements, with Notes 

 u^Don the Seiies of double Sulphocyanides discovered by the author in 1868," 

 by W. Skey. 



8. "A Description of some new Species of Gymnostomnm^^ by Charles 

 Knight, F.R.C.S. {Transactions, p. 354.) 



Specimens of these plants were laid on the table. 



Sixth Meeting. \2th September^ 1874. 



Charles Knight, F.R.C.S., President, in the chair. 



New members. — Herbert Gaby, Frank Bailey Passmore, C.E., John 

 Gibson Dees, C.E. 



Dr. Hector exhibited a magnificent crystal of carbonate of soda, or the 

 washing soda of commerce, selected from three tons manufactured by Mr. 

 Herbert Gaby at the Wellington Soap and Candle Works, being the first 

 commencement of this new branch of industry in the colony. He stated that 

 the difficulty of procuring oil of vitriol in the colony prevented the manufacture 

 of this and many other useful chemical products. White Island had been 

 mentioned as likely to afford a supply of sulphur for vitriol works, but the 

 sulphur is there found largely mixed with sulphate of lime, and could not be 

 obtained in a pure state in quantity. Still, if the manufacture of plaster of 

 Paris were combined with this process, it might perhaps be made profitable, as 

 the same calcination would yield sublimed sulphur and leave plaster of Paris 

 as a residue. He also exhibited a series of nickel ores, lately analysed in the 

 laboratory, from a new locality, the richest samples containing 14 per cent, of 

 nickel combined with zinc, magnesia, and lime, in a siliceous matrix. 



1. "On the Hot Winds of Canterbury," by Alexander McKay, of the 

 Geological Survey Department. (Transactions, p. 105.) 



Captain Edwin thought the winds described must be of a local character, 

 and that they might not be from the north-west, but receive their direction 

 from the shape of the mountains. 



2. " Notes on certain disputed Species of New Zealand Birds," by 

 Walter L. Buller, D.Sc, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., etc. (Transactions, p. 211.) 



3. " Memorandum on the Longitude of Wellington Observatory," by 

 Captain Narcs, of H.M.S. " Challenger," with enclosing letter by Dr. Hector, 

 F.ll.S. ; communicated by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 



Colonial Museum, Wellington, 9th September, 1874. 

 Sir, — I have the honour to forward a memorandum relative to the 

 longitude of Wellington, which has been addressed to me, as officer in charge 

 of the Observatory here, by Captain Narcs, of H.M.S. " Challenger." 



