Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/511

Rh to other materials like flax. He remembered being surprised, in the Committee, to see the fibre produced by that method from an aloe leaf. By the percussion process they got rid of the epidermis and cellular tissue of the flax, and then there was left the fibre intact; but that fibre consisted of a multitude of fibres glued together, as they might see, by some matter which had been called a gum—an insoluble gum, and by other names. If they got rid of that gum, they reduced it from a fibre—a very strong fibre—into tow. If they got rid of the gum by chemicals, boiling, or in any other way, just in proportion as they got rid of it they also got rid of the tenacity of the fibre, and rendered it useful for other purposes, such as for paper making. The grand question was, where was the exact limit—where it would pay best—whether to get it in its greatest strength longitudinally, or to reduce it more or less into tow, when it might be useful for mixing with woollen, cotton, or other substances.

Dr. Purchas said he had omitted to mention one thing in connection with the preparation of the flax, namely, that the refuse made most excellent food for cattle.

The President observed that he was sorry he had not been present at the meeting on the previous Saturday. Had he been so, he would have drawn up a closing address, and delivered it on this the closing night of the session. Had he known that such an address was expected from him, he would have been prepared to have drawn it up; but he had quite forgotten that that was the last night of the session. He made this explanation so that the members might not think he was careless in the matter. He would always be most glad to devote his time to advancing the interests of the Institute. Looking at the past session, he thought they had on the whole been as successful as they could have expected; and if the members would devote a little extra time, gathering up information in the recess for the next sessional meetings, there was no doubt it would be a very great success.

The following contributions were announced:—

One copper coin—Mr. Charles Hime. Two Australian birds—Captain Holt, from Sir George Grey. One frog—Mr. Isaac Hunt, Tapu. One specimen from the Kyber Pass claim—Mr. R. M. Heighton. Thirty-three rock specimens from the Thames—Mr. O'Keeffe. Ianthina exigua, and two other shells; specimens of fossil wood—Mrs. W. Young. Skin of an undescribed petrel—donor's name unknown, left at the museum. Sundry