397 



stalled by Colenso. I may perhaps still continue rny paper, so as to bring on discussion 

 and further consideration of the subject, for it appears to me one of very great interest. 



Taken in its narrowest limits, the Polynesian race extends from New Zealand to the 

 Sandwich Islands, occupying a larger area of the earth's surface than any other unmixed 

 race on the face of the globe. Over the whole of this area the language sjjoken, 

 although composed of many dialects, is obviously, even to a casual observer, one language. 

 Moreover, the race has certain physical peculiarities particularly distinguishing it. The 

 people are large-limbed, and muscular, well featured in general, and possessed of great 

 natural intelligence. 



To talk of this race as an Asiatic one, is to mislead entirely. The people are ob- 

 stinate and determined to a degree, and differ from ordinary Asiatics both physically and 

 mentally. 



That a race, spread over such an enormous area, and speaking one language, should 

 have peopled the Polynesian Islands by derivation from the crews of some wandering Malay 

 vessels, seems to me an effect, produced by a cause so inadequate, that it cannot be 

 supported. 



Would it not also, prima facie, be more reasonable to trace the Malay from the 

 Maori — the somewhat higher civilization from the lower — if, as I suppose, the Maori race 

 to be a very ancient race, than the newer race from the older ? 



Excepting the extent of the globe over which the English language has spread by 

 colonisation during the last century or two, and that over which Spanish is spoken — 

 brought about by simdar causes — -the Maori tongue is used over by far a larger surface of 

 the earth than any other language. 



Although the effects of earthquakes are undoubtedly disagreeable, yet they are ex- 

 tremely interesting to science, and during the past year we have had considerable experi- 

 ence of them. It will hardly be necessary to remind you of the remarkable earthquake 

 wave which visited our shores in August last, for a full description of the phenomenon 

 appears in our " Transactions, " from the pen of Dr. Hector; and no doubt he will, 

 during the present session, give us full details of the earthquakes of October 18th of last 

 year, which were so generally felt throughout the colony. 



It seems probable that from the numerous points of observation in the Pacific which 

 are now occupied by the restless and inquisitive colonists, whether of Great Britain or of 

 the United States, the phenomena of earthquakes will be carefully watched, and possibly 

 the laws which determine their recurrence may be arrived at. The earthquake which 

 lately damaged Cbristchurch appears to have been extremely local. It conveys a hint to 

 all towns in New Zealand, that buildings which may stand in London will not do for this 

 colony. I have always expressed the opinion that, prima facie, one part of New Zealand 

 was as likely to suffer from earthquakes as another, and, therefore, that the inhabitants 

 should build their houses with reference to that risk, wherever they might happen to be 

 situated. It may be as well again to suggest that a more durable material than timber ia 

 desirable for building your houses, even in earthquake countries, and I would call atten- 

 tion to my paper upon concrete. 



During the past year the Thames Gold Fields have continued to be developed in a 

 wonderful manner, and there is every reason to hope that when the country is open to 

 "prospecting," the area of the gold field will be largely extended. I hear also, from good 

 authority, that auriferous quartz has positively been found in the Kaimanawa range, part 

 of which range lies within the boundaries of this province. Lately some pyritous stone 

 from the Wamuiomata Valley has proved auriferous ; and although the percentage of 

 gold is small, it tempts to further search and investigation. Quartz, showing a few specks 

 of gold, has also been brought into town from Makara. 



It has also been reported that gold has been found in that part of the Euahine range 

 which lies near the Eangitikei river, but as reports of this character have been so frequent 

 and so fallacious, it may be as well to suspend our judgment until we see the specimens. 

 I am glad to find that the search is now for veins instead of for alluvial "diggings." 

 I was convinced years ago that the "alluvium " in this vicinity has been pretty well tried 

 and found barren, or too poor to pay, and that the prospects of finding gold, if it was to be 

 found, lay in the development of auriferous veins. 



The discovery of large quantities of Saurian bones at the Waipara river, in the 

 Province of Canterbury, is an event of great importance, in a scientific point of view. 

 I have to congratulate my old friend Mr. Hood, both on the original discovery of these 

 fossils some years ago, and on his now having secured, at considerable trouble to himself, 

 a number of valuable specimens which he has transmitted to England for examination by 

 Professor Owen. 



Other specimens have lately been procured by Mr. R. L. Holmes, who was specially 

 sent for that purpose, and which may now be seen in this Museum. 



I think it will be desirable for me to confine my remarks to subjects of colonial 

 interest, although there are matters of science and discovery, which have cropped up 

 during the year, and which might be noticed with advantage were it not that it would 



