472 Proceedings. 



1. " On Sinking Eunds,"* by Captain E. W. Hutton, E.&.S., illustrated 

 by a series of calculations applicable to tbe different methods adopted to pay 

 off debts. 



2. Mr. Grillies read a paper consisting of a letter to Captain Hutton 

 from Mr. Mair, Resident Magistrate at Opotiki, descriptive of tbe tidal 

 phenomenon at that place. 



Dr. Purcbas said that be might mention a very curious circumstance 

 ■with reference to the rise that had occurred in the land about Auckland. 

 He thought it afforded positive proof that the land about Auckland was 

 rising suiEciently to be quite measurable. Messrs. Thornton and Co. got a 

 supply of water from the harbour. They had a pipe fixed at some distance 

 down the wharf, with a rose at the bottom. They have had to alter that 

 rose three times, at intervals of three years. Mr. Firth had told him of the 

 circumstance, and he believed that special pains had been taken with the 

 fixing of the pipe the last time in order to test the matter. He had been 

 assured by a settler that the harbour of Mahurangi was two feet less in 

 depth than it was two years ago. If the bottom of the harbour was rising, 

 it was a matter of vital importance to people in the neighbourhood of the 

 city. He had no doubt about the accuracy of the information, as was shown 

 by the fact that the rose had had to be altered three times in order to get a 

 supply of water at low tide. He could not think that the wharf had risen, 

 and would suppose the trafiic would rather tend to put it down. 



A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Weymouth, Captain Hutton, Mr. 

 Wark, Mr. Buckland, and Mr. Stewart took part. Most of the speakers 

 seemed to be of opinion that there was not sufiicient proof to show that the 

 land was absolutely rising. 



Captain Hutton said he should be happy to investigate the subject, and 

 report upon it to next meeting. 



Mr. Gillies said it seemed to him that two things had been brought 

 before them — first, the silting up, and second, the average high water or low 

 water. The water would maintain its level whatever silting up occurred. 

 The level was not affected in the slightest degree by the silting up of the 

 harbour. He was sure they were much obliged to Dr. Purchas for having 

 mentioned the matter, and to Captain Hutton for having volunteered to 

 investigate it. In such a case the facts must be carefully noted to be of 

 any use at all. 



3. " On the Preparation of Native Flax," by the Eev. A. Gr. Purchas, 

 M.E.C.S. 



* This paper has also to be reserved, as it was found impossible to procure the type 

 for printing the algebraic formulee which it contains ixv Welhngton. — Ed. (See " Transac- 

 tions," Vol. II. p. 236.) 



