﻿Aucldand Institute. 397 



3. " Ou the New Zealand Species of Pittosporum, witli Descriptions of 

 New Species," by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, i>. 2QQ.) The autiior gives 

 a summary of our knowledge of the New Zealand species of this genus, 

 especially with regard to their distribution, and describes several new species 

 collected in the North Island. 



Sixth Meeting. 7th November, 1871. 

 The E,ev. A. G. Purchas, M.D., in the chair. 



New members. — G. S. Kissling, S. Thorne, E. Hobbs, S. Rapsin, W. Earl. 



The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the 

 Secretaiy. 



The Chairman alluded in feeling terms to the loss the Society had sus- 

 tained since its last meeting in the decease of Mr. S. J. Stratford, M.R.C.S.E., 

 and to the ardent interest he had uniformly manifested in its success. 



The Secretary detailed the measures that had been taken to carry out the 

 resolutions passed at the last monthly meeting. A fair measure of success had 

 been experienced in canvassing for subscriptions, although, owing to the absence 

 from Auckland of several members of the Building Fund Committee, it had 

 not been possible to get through this necessary work so fast as was desirable. 

 The late Dr. Stratford had confii^med his verbal offer of a donation of £100, 

 reported at the last meeting, by special bequest, on condition that foiir other 

 su.ms of £100 each, or eight of £50 each, should be contributed to the fund 

 by members of the Society within three months of the date of his decease. 

 Five donations of £50 each had been already promised towards complying 

 with these conditions. Application had also been made to the Provincial 

 Executive to place the sum of £1,000 on the provincial estimates for the 

 coming session in aid of the fund, on condition that at least an equivalent sum 

 should be raised by private subscriptions, and he was happy to state that the 

 application had met with a ready and genial assent. 



1, "On the Defence of Auckland Harbour," by S. J. Stratford, M.E.C.S.E. 

 The chief object of this elaborate paper was to point out the great facilities 

 for the defence of the harbour afforded by the volcanic cones of Mount Yic- 

 toria, North Head, Eangitoto, and Brown Island. It was copiously illustrated 

 by an extensive series of plans and sections, and excited considerable discussion, 

 the general opinion expressed being that the series of forts would prove for too 

 costly for the resources of the colony in its present condition, notwithstanding 

 the large amount that might be realised by the sale of Fort Britomart and the 

 Albert Barracks, which the author proposed to make available for this purpose. 



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