482 . Proceedings. 



A short conversation ensued on the merits of the invention and the 

 feasibility of working such a boat in the rapid current of the Clutha. 



Fifth Meeting. 29^A October^ 1872. 

 The Rev. Dr. Stuart, Vice-President, in the chair. 



His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman was chosen to vote in the election of 

 the Board of Governors for the ensuing year, in accordance with clause 7 of 

 the New Zealand Institute Act. 



1. Mr. R. Gillies presented to the Society the remains of two kiwis, which 

 had been captured on the harbour side, near Burke's brewery, by a dog of 

 Mr. Joseph Drake's. One of the birds when found was -partly devoured, but 

 was still fresh and warm. Mr. Gillies stated that, so far as he was aware, 

 this was the first authentic instance on record of the kiwi being found on the 

 eastern coast of the South Island ; and that, seeing the birds were running 

 wild, the inference was that in the vast bush extending from the harbour 

 to beyond Blueskin there must, in all likelihood, be other specimens; and, 

 seeing that they were becoming almost extinct, it might be worth while to 

 consider whether in the interests of science the Society should not take some 

 steps to let the fact of the existence of these birds in that bush be as widely 

 known as possible to the settlers, with a view to their preservation as much as 



possible. 



In the discussion which followed, it was stated that on two or three 

 previous occasions the capture of kiwis in the bush to the north of Dunedin 

 had been reported, and that some specimens, one of which was now in the 

 Museum, had been secured. It was thought that Mr. Gillies' suggestions 

 should be acted upon. 



2. " Notes on Plants collected near Invercargill," by J. S. Webb. (See 

 Transactions, p. 360.) 



The author gave the result of an investigation of open tussocky ground 

 between the Puni creek and the Main East road for the purpose of comparison 

 with that of similar ground elsewhere. He mentioned the curious circum- 

 stance that none of the imported plants, including white clover, had been able 

 to make headway against the native vegetation, notwithstanding that cattle 

 were constantly wandering over the ground. It was also stated that the 

 collection included five specimens which had not before been reported as 

 existing in the province. 



