248 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[July 
Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. 
May 1. — Mr. W. H. Skinner delivered a presidential address on " The 
Decorated Cave Shelters of Canterbury.” He pointed out the immense 
gains to archaeology brought about by the discovery of the paintings by 
the cave and rock-shelter men in Europe, and, while not claiming that 
the crude paintings on the rock shelters of North Otago and Canter¬ 
bury possessed a similar value, strongly urged their preservation, as the 
only examples known of the figure-drawing done by the New Zealand 
branch of the Polynesian race. The steps already taken in this direction 
were outlined, but the matter must be pressed to a successful conclusion. 
The lecturer then went on to discuss the possible authors of the paintings, 
outlining what is known of the pre-European inhabi ants of the South Island. 
Hawke’s Bay Philosophical Institute. 
May 17.—Mr. T. Hyde delivered the opening address, on “ Scientific 
Development—Past, Pres nt, and Future.” He endeavoured to trace 
analogies between the wave theory as applied to light and electricity 
and the mechanism of thought in animals and man, suggesting that as 
electricity depends upon magnetism, thought may depend on “ animal 
magnetism.” 
Wellington Philosophical Society. 
May 8.—Mr. S. H. Jenkinson delivered an inaugural address to the 
Technological Section on “ Some Considerations on National Efficiency.” 
He contended that increased production was the only solution of labour 
troubles. Only by that means could there be sufficient profits in industry 
to pay such wages as would ensure reasonable standards of health and 
leisure. So far as New Zealand was concerned, the chief methods of 
•increasing production, besides the co-operation of labour, were intensive 
land - development, settlement of chosen districts, one at a time, and 
improved methods of banking. Next in importance came education and 
the scientific management of industries. 
May 15.—Dr. C. A. Cotton read a paper before the Geological Section 
on “ Geomorphology of the Coastal District of South-western Wellington.” 
May 22.—Mr. Elsdon Best read a paper on “ The Discovery and 
Rediscovery of Wellington.” 
June 5.—Mr. A. W. Burrell read a paper before the Astronomical 
Section, entitled “ Is Earth-rotation the Cause of the Ocean Currents ? ” 
The paper was illustrated by a model of the continents and oceans, 
which when rotated reproduced very accurately the main currents of the 
oceans. 
June 12.—Mr. E. Parry read a paper before the Technological Section, 
on “ Electrification of New Zealand Railways.” 
June 19.—Dr. J. Henderson read a paper before the Geological Section, 
entitled “ Notes on the Post-Tertiary History of New Zealand.” 
