62 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Feb. 
the centre of each leaf to equalize the stresses. This is called a “ stress¬ 
equalizing slot,” and is also patented. 
A tremendous amount of arithmetic shows the application of the basic 
equations to every type or shape of leaf-end, and the calculated reactions, 
stresses, and strengths are given in numerous tables. The effects of “nip,” 
or curving the plates in manufacture in such a way' that they are nipped 
together by the buckle, which thus puts an initial stress in the leaves, is 
also fully treated. 
[Note.— -This very laborious investigation is interesting but incomplete. 
The reviewer first developed in 1908 the basic equations which the authors 
claim as original, being led to their use by an unsigned article in The 
Engineer for the 14th February, 1902, which treated square-ended plates 
in the same manner as Landau and Parr, but gave only the results of the 
application of the equations without showing any of the reasoning. If 
this article was not written by either of these authors, then the credit of 
discovery must go to an unknown. However, it is a small matter, as the 
equations are incomplete until allowance is made for the deflection due to 
shear. This is a negligible factor in ordinary beams, but alters the whole 
design of plate springs when correctly calculated. In 1909 the reviewer 
designed springs in accordance with the complete theory for the New 
Zealand railways, and such design is now the standard practice for New 
Zealand locomotive springs. The corrected theory leads to a much simpler 
form of taper than the impossibly elaborate form patented by the authors 
of this paper. Several rash conclusions and oversights mar their work, 
even on the incomplete theory formulated, and it seems incredible that 
such complicated forms should be seriously proposed. Mathematics, like 
fire, is a useful servant but a terrible master ! Or is it that the itch to patent 
has clouded their saner judgment ?—S. H. J.] 
Some Notes on the Language of the Chatham Islands, by Archdeacon 
H. W. Williams. Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 51, pp. 415-22, 1918. 
This very important paper opens with a review of traditional evidence 
as to the peopling of the Chathams. On the whole, this seems to indicate 
colonization from New Zealand. But the Moriori dialect appears to be 
farther removed from Maori than from the dialects of many of the islands 
of the Pacific. Of all words recorded by Shand, about 10 per cent, appear 
to be derived from roots no longer preserved in Maori. An examination 
of these discloses relationship with Marquesan, Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian, 
and Tikopian, in that order. The author concludes that the Moriori dialect 
has as much right to be considered independent as has any of the known 
dialects of the Polynesian language. H. D. S. 
Some Maori Fish-hooks from Otago, by H. D. Skinner. Trans. N.Z. 
Inst., vol. 51, pp. 267-68, pi. 23, 1919. 
This paper describes and figures some rare composite hooks. 
Moriori Seagoing Craft, by H. D. Skinner. Man, May, 1919, No. 34. 
This paper reviews the different kinds of craft used by the natives of the 
Chatham Islands, and quotes a description by W. H. Skinner of the wash- 
through canoe in the Canterbury Museum (N.Z.), this being by far the most 
complete account of such craft yet published. The conclusion is drawn that 
all the elements from which this type could develop are present in New 
