530 Proceedings. 



injection of fluids into timber for its protection so long as we can get timber which does 

 not require them. New Zealand timber he thought not well suited for the purpose 



owing to its density. 



3. " On the Disappearance of the Korimako fAnthornis melanura) from 

 the North Island," by W. L. Buller, C.M.G., ScD. (Transactions, p. 209.) 



Mr. Govett asked if the author could explain why the bell-bird was disappearing so 

 rapidly. 



The author replied that the Maori theory was that it was being di'iven away by the 

 introduced bee, which lived on the flowers that this bird liked, but he himself considered 

 that its disappearance was due to the rat. When the rat is kept down by the hawk birds 

 do not disappear. 



Mr. Braithwaite considered that the wild cat had something to do with it, 



Mr. Kirk did not think these birds were disappearing so rapidly as the author would 

 lead them to suppose. He had seen them in numbers in Nelson and Westland. They 

 certainly were scarce in some parts of the North Island, but he had met with them 

 frequently on the Great and Little Barrier Islands, and in 1864 and 1865 they were 

 abundant at Omaha, bi;t not so numerous of late. No doubt the rat was their chief 

 enemy. 



4. " Notice of the Occurrence of the Shy Albatros (Diomedea cauta) in 

 the North Island," by Walter L. Buller, C.M.G., ScD., F.L.S. {Trans- 

 actions, p. 217.) 



The author exhibited specimens. 



Sixth Meeting. 11th November, 1877. 



W. T. L. Travers, M.H.K., F.L.S. , President, in the chair. 



New Members. — H. S. Fitzherbert, C. A. Baker, Capt. Courtenay Kenny, 

 M.H.E. 



Mr. J. C. Crawford was chosen to vote in the election of the Board of Governors for 

 the ensuing year, in accordance with clause 7 of the " New Zealand Institute Act." 



The nomination for the election of honorary members of the New Zealand Institute 

 was made in accordance with statute IV. 



1. "On the Formation of detached Shingle Beaches," by John Car- 

 ruthers, M. Inst. C.E. {Transactions, p. 475.) 



Mr. Maxwell spoke in approval of the paper, and said the author's views on the 

 subject were new to him. 



Mr. Travers said he had learned that Golden Bay had shallowed considerably within 

 the memory of colonists. This may be attributed to the destruction of forests, the 

 denudation of land generally, and to mining operations, which had loosened the earth. 

 It was then carried down by the rivers and deposited in comparatively still waters. He 

 was informed that the bay in places was shallowing so rapidly that where there was at 

 one time ten to twelve feet of water there is now only from four to five. 



Mr. Young made some remarks regarding the numerous bar harbours in New 

 Zealand. 



