456 



Proceedings. 



Seventh Meeting. 23r(i December, 1872. ^^^^| 



His Honour T. B, Gillies in the cliair. ^^B 



Neio members. — G. Aickin, E. Gibbons, G. Fraser, W. Hay, A. Beetham, 

 G. Kirton, W. Humphreys, J. Wilson, W. Ware, Lt.-Col. Nation. 



The list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the 

 Secretary. 



Mr. Gillies presented the original Ms. of a Maori poem, for the publica- 

 tion of which Mr. C. O. Davis was tried for sedition in 1865, and which 

 might therefore be expected to become of historic interest. 



Mr. Gillies called attention to a statement made by Dr. Hector in the 

 fourth volume of Transactions (p. 379) respecting the first introduction of 

 trout, from which it appeared that trout were first liberated in the North 

 Island in November, 1871 ; the fact being that trout were first introduced into 

 the North Island by the Auckland Acclimatization Society, and liberated near 

 Auckland in October, 1870. He thought it possible that, unless corrected, 

 this error might at some future day lead to misconception with regard to the 

 rate of diffusion of this fish. 



1. "Notes on Burima Bocks," by Major W. G. Mair. (See Transactions, 

 p. 151.) 



The Hon. Col. Haultain corroborated the author's statement respecting 

 the abundance of fish in the vicinity of the rocks. 



2. " On the Mud Fish {Neochanna apoda), an extract from a letter written 

 by G. G. Fitzgerald j" communicated by W. C. Boberts. 



(abstract.) 

 The author noted that he had found several specimens of this curious fish, 

 while trenching. A heavy rain fell, and on baling the water out he found 

 three or four of the fish were left, which were thought to have fallen from the 

 sky. The soil was only about six inches deep, the subsoil being very tenacious 

 blue soil. The fish was found at least eighteen inches down in this clay, in a 

 little chamber somewhat larger than its own carcase. The clay was damp, but 

 there was no water about. The chamber was dry and completely shut in 

 from above, a large root of a tree passing immediately over the spot. 



3. " On the Mud-fish {Neochanna apoda) ; an extract from a letter written 

 by S. E. Vollams j" communicated by W. C. Boberts. 



(abstjract.) 

 The author knew of this fish in the early days of Hokitika. The land 

 where they were found was covered with the usual bush, and in rainy weather 

 was always under water. 



