374 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Nov. 
September 18 : J. A. Thomson, “ The Geology of the Southern Wairarapa 
District ” ; G. L. Adkin, “ Further Notes on the Horowhenna Coastal 
Plain.” October 16 : G. H. Uttley, “ Tertiary Geology of the Waitaki 
Valley between Duntroon and Ivurow ” ; W. M. Davis, “ The Significant 
Features of Reef-bordered Coasts.” 
Historical Section .—October 15 : J. Andersen, “ Place-names in New 
Zealand, with Special Reference to Banks Peninsula ” ; E. Best, “ Native 
Tradition of the Death of Marion du Fresne at Bay of Islands in 1772.” 
Technological Section .—September 11 : R. W. Holmes, “ Littoral Drift 
on the New Zealand Coasts.” October 9 : M. Cable, “ Electric-arc 
Welding.” 
Manawatu Philosophical Society. 
The following papers were read during the year 1918 : C. E. Ferris, 
“ The Ethics of the British Constitution ” ; A. W. Burrell, “ A Descrip¬ 
tion of a Working Model illustrating the Theory that the Main Ocean 
Currents are due to the Revolution of the Earth, the Force of Gravitation, 
and the Retarding Influence of the Sun and Moon ” ; C. N. Clausen, 
“ Mangahao and Waikaremoana as Sources of Electric Power ” ; Captain 
Spince, “ The Panama Canal ” ; W. R. Mummery, “ The Hot Springs of 
Puerta del Inca ” ; C. A. Cotton, “ Mountains.” 
New Zealand Institute Science Congress. 
The Science Congress opening in Christchurch on the 3rd February of 
next year marks a new feature in the scientific life of the community. 
There are too few occasions on which the services and the claims, as well 
as the advances, of science are brought home to “ the man in the street,” 
and a congress of this kind offers one of the best opportunities. In the 
British Isles the yearly meetings of the British Association not only pro¬ 
vide the public through the Press with an admirable summary of scientific 
progress, but have been the starting-point of nearly every important step 
in the State organization of scientific services. To those who attend, such 
meetings prove a delightful holiday and give a stimulus to scientific fellow¬ 
ship that is invaluable. 
The only meetings of the kind that have been held in New Zealand are- 
those promoted by the Australasian Association for the Advancement of 
Science. Of these, the last was the Dunedin meeting of 1904, one of the 
most successful of such gatherings ever held in Australasia. So long a 
period has elapsed, however, without a further meeting in this Dominion 
that the New Zealand Institute has stepped into the breach and promoted 
the present congress. A strong programme of public meetings has been 
arranged, and the Christchurch Entertainment Committee is providing a 
series of local excursions to the chief industrial works and the more 
interesting biological and geological localities in the neighbourhood of 
Christchurch. A good attendance of scientific men is assured, and every¬ 
thing promises well for a successful congress. The meetings are open 
to all. 
