Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/466

432 source; the bitter taste of the mineral substance which the water holds in solution is quite appreciable at the mouth of the river after a course of about seventy miles.

It was down this river that the wonderful avalanche of ice and mud forced its way from Ruapehu to the sea in 1863, scouring out the bed of the river, destroying a bridge, and doing great damage to the native cultivations. The cause of the avalanche may no doubt be attributed to a sudden escape of vapours from the same volcanic source that gives origin to the mineral waters.

A specimen of the water from near the source of the river, forwarded by Mr. Gilbert Mair, R.M., has been analyzed, with the following results:—

Water persistently turbid, from the presence of clayey matter; taste, very sour. Contains the constituents of potash alum, with the addition of a little chloride of magnesium and protochloride of iron. The total of fixed matters obtained from 2 oz. of the water was .370 gramme, or at the rate of 456 grammes per gallon.

7. "On Phosphate of Lime for Manure," by W. Skey.

The analysis showed this to be a really valuable manure, admirably adapted from its richness in phosphates, and especially in soluble phosphates, to supply growing crops with the one thing which is most useful, viz. phosphoric acid.

This manure was sold by Messrs. W. and T. Hurst, of Auckland, and was forwarded by Mr. Eyburn, of Auckland, for analysis.

8. "On Coal from Preservation Inlet," by W. Skey.

The specimen was forwarded for examination by Mr. Eccles, of Dunedin.

It appears that this coal belongs to the series of hydrous or brown coals, and, as is usual with such, its proportion of sulphur is very large. As a fuel, therefore, it ranks in value with the Clutha and Saddle Hill coals of the South Island. Tne following is an analysis:—

Percentage of water upon carbonaceous matter, 21.29.

9. "Remarks on some of the Coleopterous Insects which injure Trees in the Neighbourhood of Wellington, by R. H. Huntley.

After explaining upon what trees the various insects feed, the author