# Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute/Volume 15/Auckland Institute

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.
First Meeting. 29th May, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
New Members.—E. Anderson, J. Banks, K. Browning, C. E. Bourne, F. E. Compton, J. M. Dargaville, N. Giblin, E. W. Hanmer, A. G. Horton, A. E. Isaacs, Dr. Kenderdine, Dr. Kidd, A. H. Nathan, J. M. Shera, C. B. Stone, W. Thorne, H. J. Wickens.
1. The President delivered the anniversary address.
2. "On some recent Additions to the Flora of New Zealand," by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S." (Transactions, p. 298.)
3. "Additions to the Geodephaga of New Zealand," by Captain T. Broun, M.E.S.
Second Meeting. 26th June, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
New Members.—C. Cooper, A. Grey, T. Melville.
1. "New Species of Pselaphidæ," by Capt. T. Broun, M.E.S.
2. "On the Protective Resemblances of the Araneidea in New Zealand," by A. T. Urquhart. (Transactions, p. 174.)
3. "Notes on the Origin of Language," by H. G. Seth Smith.
4. Mr. H. G. Seth Smith exhibited a harmonograph for producing harmonic curves.
ABSTRACT.
The construction of the instrument is such that a finely-pointed glass pen, placed at the junction of two cranks proceeding from the top of two pendulums vibrating at right-angles to one another, traces curves on a sheet of paper. Attention was drawn to the endless variety of curves produced by varying the length of one of the pendulums; and it was pointed out that the curves were then only symmetrical when the ratio of the times of vibration corresponded to a definite interval in music, as a third, fifth, octave, etc. In other cases asymmetrical figures were produced.
Third Meeting. 31st July, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
New Members.—F. Lawry, J. Street.
1. "New Genera and Species of Heteromera," by Capt. T. Broun, M.E.S.
2. On some recent Additions to the Flora of New Zealand," by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 298.)
​3. "Further Experiments with Sorghum" by Mr. Justice Gillies. (Transactions, p. 261.)
4. "On the Effects of School-life on the Sight," by B. Schwarzbach, M.D. (Transactions, p. 472.)
Fourth Meeting. 28th August, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
New Members.—J. McLaren, P. E. Cheal, H. W. Northcroft, J. H. Jackson, T. Wells, F. R. Webb, Rev. Mr. Gulliver.
1. "New Genera and Species of Curculionida," by Capt. T. Broun.
2. "On the Growth of the Cork Oak (Quercus suber) in the Auckland District," by Mr. Justice Gillies. (Transactions, p. 267.)
3. "The University of New Zealand: its History, Constitution, and Objects," by the Right Rev. W. G. Cowie, D.D.
A long discussion followed the reading of this paper, in which Mr. Justice Gillies, Mr. Halcombe, Mr. Martin, Dr. Purchas, and others took part.
Fifth Meeting. 25th September, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
New Members.—H. Eastman, W. Fidler, T. Simpson, W. P. Snow.
1. "New Species of Coleoptera," by Capt. T. Broun.
2. "On two new Planarians from Auckland Harbour," by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 213.)
3. "Shakspeare and Euphuism," by J. Murray Moore, M.D.
ABSTRACT.
This paper was chiefly occupied with a criticism of John Lilly and his works, and their influence upon the literature of the reign of Elizabeth. According to the author, this influence could be traced through many of Shakspeare's plays.
Sixth Meeting. 23rd October, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
New Members.—Dr. Edgelow, Rev. Mr. Macrae.
1. "On the Occurrence of Platinum in Quartz Lodes at the Thames," by J. A. Pond. (Transactions, p. 419.)
2. "Note on the Origin of the Boomerang," by W. D. Campbell, F.G.S. (Transactions, p. 459.)
3. "New Species of Coleoptera," by Capt. T. Broun, M.E.S.
4. "The Visionary Faculty of Mind," by E. A. Mackechnie.
Seventh Meeting. 20th November, 1882.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
The President gave particulars of a donation of 127 volumes of books relating to the early history of New Zealand, presented to the library of the Institute by Mr. J. T. Mackelvie, and also drew attention to four most valuable oil-paintings presented to the citizens of Auckland by the same gentleman, and lodged for the present in the care of the Institute.
An unanimous vote of thanks was awarded to Mr. Mackelvie.
1. "The Naturalized Plants of the Auckland Provincial District," by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 268.)
2. "Our Earliest Settlers," by R. C. Barstow. (Transactions, p. 421.)
3. "Imaginary Quantities," by H. G. Seth Smith.
Annual General Meeting. 19th February, 1883.
E. A. Mackechnie, President, in the chair.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed.
ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT.
Thirty-four new members have been added to the roll since the last annual meeting. The total number on the roll at the present time is 321, showing a nett increase of nineteen during the year.
The balance sheet shows the total revenue from all sources to have been £403 8s. 1d., the members' subscriptions having yielded £317 2s. Od. The expenditure amounts to £397 8s. 6d., leaving a credit balance of £5 19s. 7d. Among the items of expenditure are £44 1s. 5d. for books, £26 8s. Od. for Museum fittings, and £32 for taxidermist.
Seven meetings were held during the session, and twenty-three papers on various subjects were read.
Many valuable contributions to the Museum were received, and the donations to the library were unusually extensive and valuable.
Election of Officers for 1883:—President—Rt. Rev. W. G. Cowie, D.D.; Vice-Presidents—E. A. Mackechnie, T. Peacock, M.H.R.; Council—G. Aickin, J. L. Campbell, M.D., W. D. Campbell, F.G.S., Mr. Justice Gillies, Hon. Colonel Haultain, Neil Heath, J. Martin, F.G.S., J. A. Pond, Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.R.C.S.E., H. G. Seth Smith, S. Percy Smith, F.E.G.S.; Secretary and Treasurer—T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S.; Auditor—T. Macffarlane.