ABSTRACT OF PKOCKK.DINGS. XXX1U. 



and particularly mentioned S. Stutchbury, Professor A. M. 

 Thompson, P. de Strzelecki, Rev. W. B. Olarke, and 0. S. 

 Wilkinson. 



Early Records. — Dr. J. P.Watson, through the courtesy 

 of Mr. E. B. Harkness, Under Secretary, Chief Secretary's 

 Department, exhibited the original minute book of the 

 Philosophical Society of Australasia, and quoted items of 

 special interest therefrom. This minute book has been 

 preserved at the Chief Secretary's Department, but its 

 existence was not known to members of this Society until 

 reported by Dr. Watson. (A complete copy of the minutes 

 will be found as an appendix to this volume). 



Biographical Sketches of some of the Members of 



the Philosophical Society of Australasia, 



By R. H. Cambage, F.L.s. 



Alexander Berry (1781 - 1873). He was born in Fifeshire, 

 Scotland, on the 30th November, 1781, and attended St. 

 Andrews University and the University of Edinburgh, 

 where he passed through a course of study in preparation 

 for the medical profession. 1 He obtained an appointment 

 in India and spent some years there in the service of the 

 East India Company. Entering on mercantile enterprise 

 he visited Australia, New Zealand, etc. On 13th January, 

 1808, he first came to Port Jackson as owner of the ship 

 44 City of Edinburgh," In the latter part of 1809 he 

 visited the coast of New Zealand, reached Whangaroa, 

 and rescued a boy Davidson or Davison, a woman (Mrs. 

 Moseley) and infant daughter, and a little girl, the 

 daughter of Commissary Broughton. In 1810 Berry met 



1 " Reminiscenses of Alexander Berry," p. 112 

 U— December?, 1921. 



