90 



Sixth Meeting. November 7, 1870, 



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



The New Statutes for the election of Honorary Members of the New 

 Zealand Institute were read by the Pi'esident, and in accordance there- 

 with three gentlemen were nominated. 



1. "On the Use of the Semi-circular Protractor, with a description 

 of an improved form of that Instrument," by James Stewart, C.E. (See 

 Tra7isactio7is.) 



Remarks on the subject were made by T. Heale, J. Baber, 

 T. Peacock, and others. 



One of Mr. Stewart's improved instruments was exhibited, and met 

 with general approval. 



2. " On New Zealand Flax," by T. S. F. Tinne. (See Pari. Papers. 

 Flax Commission.) This paper was illustrated by numerous specimens 

 of raw and manufactured fibre, canvas, rope, etc., and gave rise to 

 considerable discussion, in which most of the members present took 

 part. 



In the couT*se of his concluding remarks, the aiithor stated that the 

 first machine capable of preparing Flax was consti'ucted by the firm of 

 Fraser and Tinne, in July or August, 1867, and that one of the original 

 machines was still worked at Mr. Jenkins' mill, near Mei'cer. 



3. Mr. Kirk exhibited recent specimens of Orobanche, which he had 

 that day received from Mr. Robert Mair, of Whangai-ei ; a marked 

 peculiarity of one or two of the specimens consisted in the lower flowers 

 being produced on slender peduncles, 1" long. 



4. "Descriptions of New Plants," by T. Kirk. (See Transactions.) 

 The plants described were Ranunculus Limosella, A ccena Novce Zelandice, 

 Fuchsia KirTcii, Panax discolor, Olearia Allomi, Mimidtcs Colensoi, 

 and Corysanthes Cheesemanii. 



Specimens of these plants, from the Museum Herbarium, were 

 exhibited. 



5. " On Economical Railways and Rolling Stock," by J. Stewart, C.E. 

 (See Transactions. ) 



Considerable discussion was caused by this paper, in which Messrs. 

 Baber, Heale, Tinne, Kirk, Mitford, and others took j^art. 



6. " On certain projected Street Improvements in Auckland," by 

 R. W. Dyson. The author proposed to take advantage of the site of 

 the Albert Barracks, when handed over to the province, for the forma- 



