MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. bea 
WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, 
Wellington, 24th June, 1885.—Dr. Hector in the chair. 
New Members.—Messrs. A. Purdie, M.A., W. M. Maskell, F. VS. 
Mr. T. W. Kirk read a paper “on a new specimen of Nautilus,” 
found by Mr. C. H. Robson, of Portland Island. It was named Mawtilus 
bulleri, after Dr. Buller, at the request of the finder. Another paper, 
by the same author was entitled ‘‘ Notice of instances of abnormal 
coloring in the Parroquet (Platycercus auriceps) and the Pigeon (Carpo- 
phaga Nove-zealandie), with some instances of previous variation.” <A 
specimen of a yellow parroquet was exhibited and described, together 
with an abnormally colored New Zealard pigeon. 
The Chairman drew the attention of the meeting to several 
interesting exhibits that lay on the table and among others to a curious 
Maori kite, made of raupo, sent by Sir George Grey. The kite is to be 
sent to the Colonial Exhibition in London next year. Some Helix 
hochstettert, presented by Hon. Captain Bailey, whose property near 
Picton is almost the only place where that shell is now obtained, were 
also shown. Mr. Cox, the late assistant geologist in Wellington, sent a 
showy mineral specimen of auriferous magnesian rock, which proved on 
examination here to be Picrosmine, containing gold, which he had found 
in a steatite mine in New South Wales. A bonita, a very rare fish in 
New Zealand, was exhibited, which had been purchased at a fishmonger's 
shop in Wellington. Dr. Hector took occasion to refer to the reported 
finding of a turtle in Foveaux Straits,.and reminded the meeting that 
a few years ago a turtle came ashore at Island Bay, together with a 
number of strange fish belonging to the coast of New South Wales, 
and a mass of kelp. An inte esting book entitled “ Cooke’s Voyages in 
the Years 1708-11,” was presented by Judge Gillies, of Auckland. 
It appeared that this Captain Cooke made a voyage round the world 
and published his work before the Captain Cook, known in connection 
with New Zealand, was born. The book contains numerous plates of 
birds, beasts and fishes found in these seas, and New Zealand is marked 
on the chart asa nebulous patch. Dr. Hector mentioned that he had 
seen charts in Venice published long before even Tasman’s time, which 
gave a pretty correct outline of New Zealand. Some facsimiles of 
ancient classics, an epinal glossary of Latin and Old English, and 
several geological specimens trom the collection of Mr. MeKay, made 
during his survey of the district round the Kaikoura Mountains were 
shown. Dr. Hector spoke for some time on the geology of that district, 
and testified to the valuable nature of the work done by Mr. McKay. 
The Chairman called attention toa portrait in oil of Manihera, 
recently presented to the Government by the relatives of the deceased, 
which had been forwarded to the Museum. Mr. T. W Lewis, Under- 
Secretary for Native Affairs, was present, and gave a short account of 
Manihera’s career, stating that he had been a friend to the settlers from 
the very carliest' days, and a loyal servant to the Crown. Manihera’s 
brother (Hoane Rangitakaiwaho), his son (Robert Hector Manihera), and 
his nephew (John Alfred Jury), were present at the meeting, and the 
latter, who spoke English w th an excellent accent, related some episodes 
from Manihera’s life. He stated that Manihera and Wi Kingi opened the 
land in the Wairarapa to the settlers, and when Hapuka tried to oppose 
Sir Donald McLean in Hawkes Bay by refusing to permit the land to 
