HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3769, 14 August 1883, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this Society was held last night; at the opening the attendance was but small, though it increased afterwards; as usual, several ladies were present, whom we were glad to see.

In tho absence of the President tho Bishop of AVaiapu, (Avho had sent a letter of apology for his unavoidable absence,) the Chair was taken by the Vice-president Dr Spencer. Three new Members were announced by the Hon. Secretary,—Miss L. Large, Mr Robert Dobson, and Mr Joseph Stanley. A rare lot of interesting and curious animal exhibits were shoAvn by Mr Hamilton, some of them being quite new to science and unique. Among them_ were some rare shells both Land and Marine; — several Crustacea;—the jaAvs of Dolphins; —bones of a young AVhale;— formidable tails of Sting-Rays;— a fine pair of Huia birds;—curious nest sponges, &c-, kc, of all which a large number Avere from HaAvke's Bay District. Mr Hamilton also gave much pleasing and interesting scientific information concerning his specimens; and further illustrating many of them with plates from various works in the Society's Library. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr Hamilton was moved by the Hon. Secretary, and seconded by Mr Locke and carried unanimously. It had been arranged that Mr Colenso should give an Address or Lecture, but as tho evening was pretty far advanced ; (and a Council Meeting was to be held at the conclusion of the Ordinary one), the address was postponed. The usual vote of thanks to tho Chairman terminated the proceedings.