Auckland Institute. 549 



The President informed the meeting that advices had been received of an intended 

 presentation to the Museum of an extensive series of casts from the gems of antique 

 sculpture, the donor being Mr. T. Eussell, C.M.G. In order that this handsome gift may 

 be rendered fully available, their townsman. Dr. Campbell, had liberally arranged to 

 defray the expenses attendant on the establishment of a School of Design within the 

 Museum Buildings. Dr. Campbell had also taken upon himself all expenses relative to 

 the placing of the statuary in the Museum. 



A vote of thanks to Mr. Eussell and Dr. Campbell was unanimously agreed to. 



1. " The Dascillidce of New Zealand," by Captain T. Broun. 



2. "Notice of the Occurrence of Juncus tenuis, Willd., in New Zealand," 

 by T. F. Clieeseman, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 433.) 



Mr. Heale said that considering that the plant had been found in a remote portion of 

 the Northern Wairoa, a district which had no foreign trade save with Australia, of which 

 Mr. Cheeseman informed them Juncus tenuis was not a native, he should certainly be in 

 favom' of considering it truly indigenous. 



3. "Higli Schools for Girls," by J. Adams, B.A. 



In this paper the author endeavoured to lay down certain rules that should be 

 adhered to in the establishment of girls' schools, and in the adoption of the curriculum 

 for them. 



Sixth Meeting. 18th November, 1878. 

 J. Adams, B.A., in the chair. 

 New Members. — W. Berry, J. M. Brigham, H. T, Pycroft, S. J. WiUiams. 



1. On the TeleplioridcB of New Zealand," by Caj)tain T. Broun. 



2. " Notice of the Occurrence of the Genus Kyllinga in New Zealand," 

 by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. {Transactions, p. 434.) 



3. " Note on Traditional Changes of the Coast-line at the Manukau 

 Heads," by S. Percy Smith. (Transactions, p. 514.) 



4. " Notes on the Eising Generation," by D. C. Wilson. 



ABSTKACT. 



The author remarks on the small number of Maori children, and thinks 

 that the Maori population is dying out. He gives a short description of 

 their former mode of life, which he considers to have been better adapted to 

 prolong life than their present semi-European habits. He thinks the only 

 chance of preserving the Maori race is intermarriage with Europeans ; and 

 cites as a remarkable fact that when half-castes and Maoris intermarry, 

 their offspring are numerous, and that even the smallest trace of European 

 blood seems to have a good effect on the stamina of the children. 



With regard to white children, he considers that the climate is in then- 

 favour, and that they will be perhaps an improvement on their fathers. He 

 thinks that emigrants to the colony live longer than if they remained at 

 home, and cites as an instance a community of Highland birth and descent, 



