Notes

Abstract

THE third session of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science was held in Christchurch, New Zealand, and began on January 15, 1891. Sir James Hector presided. The meeting was a successful one, the attendance being about 470, and the number of papers read 74. Prof. Goodale, of Harvard University, represented the American Association, but no member of the British Association attended from England. A revised code of laws was adopted for confirmation at the next session. The evening lectures were: (1) “The Glaciers of the Tasman Valley,” by G. E. Mannering; (2) “Oysters and Oyster-culture in Australasia,” by W. Saville Kent; and (3) “A Short History of Vocal Music,” by G. F. Tendall. Ten Research Committees were appointed to report on different subjects to the next meeting, and a grant of £25 was made towards measuring the rate of motion of the New Zealand glaciers. As great inconvenience is often felt from the want of a special name for the sea between New Zealand and Australia, a recommendation was adopted that the Lords of the Admiralty be requested to name this sea the Tasman Sea. The Committee also recommended the appointment, by the British and American Associations, of a conjoint Committee to define the terms of general importance in biology; and that the Little Barrier Island north of New Zealand, and Resolution Island in Dusky Sound, be set apart as reserves, where the native fauna and flora of New Zealand may be preserved from destruction. The next session will be held at Hobart, Tasmania, with Sir Robert Hamilton, Governor of the Colony, as President.