48 



Second Meeting. July II, 1870. 

 Rev. Dr. Pai'clias, President, in the cliaii'. 



The election of the following new members was announced, viz., — 

 B. Gittos, J. M. Chirk, G. Eliott, P. A. Phillips, R. R. Hunt, J. George, 

 E. Jones, and G. M. O'Rorke. 



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

 Secretary. 



1. " On the ISTests and Eggs of four species of ISTew Zealand Birds, 

 not previously desci^bed," by Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. (See 

 Transactions.) The nests and eggs described were those of Creadion 

 caruncnlatus, Sula serrator, Graculus varius, and Majaqueus ParMnsoni; 

 specimens belonging to the museum collection were exhibited. 



2. " On the use of Salt-water in the Field Boiler," by James 

 Stewart, C.E. (See Transactions.) 



3. " An Accotint of Experiments to determine the Power required 

 to work the Flax Machines in common use in the Province of Auckland," 

 by James Stewart, C.E. (See Transactions.) 



Captain Hutton pointed out that this was the first attempt to ascer- 

 tain the actual power required to work the ordinary machines for flax 

 dressing, and in view of the waste and disappointment that had ensued 

 from the want of knowledge of this kind, considered the paper of great 

 value. 



Dr. Purchas considered the paper had been prepared with great care, 

 and would lead to direct practical results. 



4. " Remarks upon New Zealand Flax as a Paper-making material," 

 by T. Kirk. Mr. Kirk remarked that as the adaptability of New Zea- 

 land flax as a material for paj^er was being discussed in the newspapers 

 of the day, it might be advantageous to show what had been accomplished 

 in this dii'ection. He exhibited a book, "An Account of the Phor- 

 miuin tenax, or New Zealand Flax ; printed on paper made from its 

 leaves," by the late Mr. J. Murray, F.L.S., etc., a gentleman esteemed 

 alike for his philanthropy and scientifin ability. The book was printed 

 in 1836, and the paper was in as good condition as on the day it was 

 printed. It was manufactured by Mr. Smith, of the Morton Paper 

 Mills, Yorkshire, is in an unbleached state, and in strength and tenacity 

 resembles parchment, rather than ordinary paper. There can be no 

 doubt that it is a paper of extraordinary durability. The paper ajDpears 

 to have been prepared froin the undressed leaf, but no information is 

 given as to the process employed in its manufacture, nor is it stated from 



