﻿Auckland Institute. 395 



position of tlie telegraphic wire would render it liable to constant injury from 

 accidental causes, and consequently deprived the invention of jjractical value. 



2. " A Description of the Foundation of the Lighthouse in the Ponui 

 Passage/' by J. Stewart, Assoc. Inst. C.E. (See Transactions, p. 135.) The 

 paper was illustrated by numerous diagrams. 



In the discussion which ensued it was stated that the mode of lighting 

 adopted at the Bean Rock Lighthouse and the one now under consideration 

 allowed the use of kerosene in the place of colza or other expensive oils, and 

 required only a single attendant at each lighthouse. 



3. " A Comparison of the Indigenous Floras of the British Islands and 

 New Zealand," by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 247.) In this paper 

 were stated the chief points of resemblance and divergence exhibited by the 

 two floras, first from a physiognomical point of view, and subsequently in a 

 more detailed form, from a systematic comparison of the principal orders and 

 genera. 



Considerable discussion followed. 



4. " Notes on the Local Distribution of certain Plants common to the 

 British Islands, and New Zealand," by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, 

 p. 256.) The author gave a detailed statement of the distribution in New 

 Zealand of the seventy species common to both countries, accompanied by a 

 concise account of the British distribution of each form, interspersed with 

 critical notes on structure and affinities. 



The President stated that the Museum had been lighted with gas, and was 

 kept open on Wednesdays until 9 p.m., with highly gratifying results as to the 

 number of visitors. The question of the erection of new buildings was now 

 absolutely forced upon the Council, as it had become imperative to take down 

 considerable portions of the old structure on accoimt of its dilapidated con- 

 dition. He read a circular on the subject, which had been drawn up by order 

 of the Council for distribution amongst its members, requesting their aid in 

 carrying out the improvements, which received the unanimous ajjproval of the 

 meetins;. 



Fifth (Special Genekal) Meeting. Ind Octoher, 1871. 



The Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.D., in the chair. 



The Chairman stated that the meeting had been made sj)ecial in order to 

 report the results of the preliminary inquiry undertaken by the President and 

 Secretary, with regard to the support likely to be accorded for the erection of a 



