Wellington Philosophical Society. 429 



Abstract Eeport on tlie Progress of tlie G-eologlcal Survey of New 



Zealand during 1866-67, by Dr. Hector, 

 On a new Form of Mudfish from New Zealand, by Dr. Albert 



Giinther, F.E.S. Extracted from the Annals and Magazine of 



Natural History, for November, 1867. 

 Notes on the Moa Remains in the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, 



by Dr. Hector. Extract from the Proceedings of the Zoological 



Society of London. 



Presented by W. BuUer, Esq. : — 

 Notes on New Zealand Insects, by "W. BuUer, P.L.S. Extract from 



the Zoologist, August, 1867. 



1. " On Building Materials for New Zealand," by J. C. Crawford, 



E.a.s. 



Abstract. 

 The author commenced by pointing out the causes which have led to 

 the general use of wood for building purposes in the towns of New Zealand, 

 and the disadvantages of this material. In the City of Wellington, corru- 

 gated iron is now used extensively for stores ; but although as a partial 

 safeguard against fire this material has an advantage over timber, in other 

 respects it is subject to similar and other disadvantages, among which the 

 effects of temperature are greatest. In considering what is the best perma- 

 nent material for building in Wellington and other towns similarly situated, 

 the following points must be kept in mind : — 1st, The risk from earthquakes ; 

 2nd, the prevalence of high winds. To guard against the first danger the 

 building ought to be, if possible, monolithic. To lessen the wear and tear 

 caused by the action of high winds, the building and its roof should be as 

 low as is consistent with the required accommodation. A wooden building 

 may be considered an approach to a monolith, except that its chimneys are 

 detached, and consequently dangerous; but the narrow walls and high 

 pitched roofs in vogue give great power of leverage to high winds. It will 

 be found impossible to make a monolithic building of stone or brick, and 

 the best material to meet our requirements seems to be concrete. This 

 material has lately come into extensive use in Europe, and more particularly 

 in Erance, where it is stated to have been found much stronger than stone, 

 and much cheaper than either stone or brick. It was first applied to the con- 

 struction of bridges and sewage drains, then to church architecture, and 

 finally to dwelling-houses. There are many reasons for the adoption of con- 

 crete as the chief building material in Wellington. (1.) There is a deficiency 

 in the supply of the ordinary materials, vsdth the exception of timber. (2.) 

 The power of making a building monolithic would be an immense protection 

 from the risk of damage by earthquakes, and its additional weight and 



