AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 419, 19 October 1889, Page 4

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

Auckland, October 15. A meeting of the membeis of the Auckland Institute was held last night, in the Lecture Hall of the Museum. _ Ltttlk Barrier. — After a slight discussion it was again resolved, on the motion of the Chairman (Professor Thomas), to ask the Government to set aside the Little Bariier Island as a reserve for the fauna and flora of New Zealand. Relics ok Cannibalism. — In the absence of Mr H. D. M. Ilaszard, his paper on some relics of cannibalism at Raglan was read by the Seeretary,MrChee.seman. The paper was of an interesting nature, as it described the discovery of an old Maori feast ground by Mr Haszard while on a surveying tour. The eea had washed away the sand which had hitherto covered the relics, and they were thus disclosed to view. Mr Haszardfound copper Maoris with charcoal still remaining. Around were bones of human beings of various ages. Some of the leg bones appeared to have been split, as if to get out the marrow ; while away a few hundred yards lay some complete skeletons, which, judging from their teeth, had bolonged to old veterans, who, not being good eating, had most probably received their quietus, and been let lie where they fell. As none of the Maoris in the vicinity remembered anything about the feast, Mr Haszard estimated that it must bo a relic of ab least; 70 years ago. Next time he passed that way Mr Haszard found that the sand had again advanced, and again hidden the feast ground. Waitkmata Stratification. —Professor Thomas next read an instructive paper, written by Mr James Park, F.G.S., of the Thames School of Mines. The subject was j the conformable relations of the different I members ot the Waitemata series. Pro- | fessor ThomaB also illustrated upon the blackboard the various strata referred to by the essayist. Professor Thomas added to the essay a list of the ages ascribed to the various strata. He said that he believed that Mr Park had approached more nearly to the correct solution of the geological stratification of the Waitemata than others. New Spidjsrs. — A paper was received from Mr A. T. Urquharfc containing the description of nine new spiders, one from Fiji and the rest 1 from New Zealand. ToNGAREWA, OR PENRHYN ISLAND, AND its People. — An interesting paper from Mr S.Percy Smith, F.R.G.S., was read upon "Tongarewa, or Penrhyn Island, and its People." The writer mentioned that bis island was of interest as it had only jusfc been annexed by Great Britain. He considered that there could be little doubt that the natives ot Penrhyn Island were akin to the Maoris. The island was a true atol, composed of 35 acres, nowhere higher than 60 feet above the sea. The group consisted of fourteen small islands surrounding a lagoon, with two deep entrances, and good anchorage inside. The land was formed of coral and sand, growing cocoanut and a rough grass. In 1864 the island was almost depopulated by Peruvian slavers. It had been evangelised by native teachers from Rnrotonga, whence no doubb . the original natives came from who populated this island. Some of the traditions of the natives were read, showing them to be almost identical

with those of the Maori. The voyage from Rarotonga to Tongarewa was a distance of 600 mileß, which no doubt was performed in double canoes. Mi Smith also quoted from a book recently written by on American named Lamonfc, who was wrecked on Tongarewa in 1853, and lived there for several years. The characteristics jof the natives were described at some ' length. The men are described to be tall, 1 well built, with thick bushy beards. The women were smaller with nice hands, and pleasing in appearance when young. The people are hospitable, fond of singing, and much given to gesticulation. Fire was. procured by friction of two sticks just as with the Maoris. The natives also rubbed noses in salutation. Marriages are not allowed between relatives nearer than second cousins, Donations. — The Secretary submitted the following list of donations to the library and museum : — Offiicial Gazette of the United States Patent Office, for 1888, the United States Government; publications of the Department of Mines, New South Wales, the Department, per Mr Percy Smith ; Liversidee's " Minerals of New South Wales," the author ; eggs of penguin, A. Black ; Buliynus bovinus, Captain Fairchild ; auriferous quartz, from the Sylvia mine, S. T. George ; fißhing line and yellow dye used by the natives of the Caroline Islands, F. J. Moss ; carved alabaster ornament, Mrs John Smith ; 3ilver coirt, A. Smith.