AUCKLAND INSTITUTE 



Fourth Meeting. Septeonher 12, 1870. 

 Rev. Dr. Purchas, President, in the chair. 



The election of the following new members was announced by the 

 Secretary : — Walbanke B. Bai'ber ; H. Ireland, Waimate ; and The Hon. 

 Donald McLean. 



The Secretary read a list of presentations to the Museum since the 

 last meeting, which included upwards of one thousand specimens illus- 

 trative of the Natural History of New Zealand, from Dr. Hector, 

 Director of the Colonial Museiim at Wellington. 



1. " On Carbonaceous Mineral found at Whangarei Heads," by 

 Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. (See Transactions.) 



2. "Notes on recent additions to the Flora of New Zealand," by 

 T. Kirk. (See Transactions.) The following plants were described : — 

 Hyinenantlvera latifolia, var. Tasmanica ; Hibiscus diversifolius, Linum 

 niarginale, A2num le2ytophyllum, Callitriche Muellerii, Olta apetala, 

 Gratiola latifolia, Potamogeton piolygonifolius, and Scirpus Jluitans. 



Mr. Gillies remarked that, in addition to the localities for Hibiscus 

 diversifolius mentioned by the author of the paper, he had seen the plant 

 in great abundance in New Caledonia, and was much impressed by the 

 resemblance of its handsome lemon-coloured flowei's to those of a cotton 

 plant (Gossipium, sp.), which has become wild in that island. 



Remarks were made by Mr. D. Hay, Mr. Baber, and others. 



3. "■ On the Artesian Wells of Napier," by Cajitain F. W. Hutton, 

 F.Gr.S. (See Transactions.) 



Mr. Gillies pointed out the propriety of taking steps to ascertain the 

 possibility of sinking such wells in this province. Obtaining a proper 

 water supply for the City of Auckland by any of the methods yet pro- 

 posed, could not be accomplished by provincial resources. He thought 

 the cheapness of the Artesian well, and the facility with which it could 

 be made, recommended it for use in a populated district like Auckland, 

 where a supply of pure water was essential to the public health. 



