First he explained how he came to go to these little known Islands. During the war the Government became worried lest the enemy seize the Auckland Islands and use them as a base for raiders to attack N.Z. shipping. So it was decided to send a few men to occupy the Islands in order to send word in case of enemy approach. The chance of studying the fauna and flora at the same time was not overlooked, and Mr. Dawbin was chosen because of his scientific qualifications. His duties included a study of the botany and zoology of the islands.

Before discussing this Mr. Dawbin gave a short description of the Islands. They are 350 miles south of New Zealand and are almost directly on the old sailing trade route. There have been at least 10 major wrecks on the Auckland Islands and there have been about 100 sailors lost from wrecks on the Islands. At one time New Zealand was sending regular ships to rescue any castaways from the wrecks. The Auckland Islands are 34 miles long and 22 miles wide with two large and several smaller islands. They are volcanic and there is no soil—just peat with very poor drainage. Usual weather is drizzle with high winds.

Unique Flora

These conditions produce a distinct flora and 80% of the alpine plants growing in the Auckland Islands are found nowhere else. On the Eastern side there is some rata forest containing veidlewood and a few caprosmas. Higher up is a tussock layer with a few poas. On the tops of the mountains, which reach 2,200 ft., there is a good alpine garden and it is remarkable that nearly all the flowers are brilliantly coloured. Trampers will know that New Zealand alpine plants are almost uniformly white. The genera include Celmesias, Pleusa-phyllums, Gentians and Banltinella, which are even found at sea level on the very exposed west coast.

Early botanists, noticing the close relationship between some Auckland Island plants and those of South America, suggested that there had once been a land bridge through a then warmer antarctic continent, connecting the two areas. Later work on animals of the island, especially those between tide levels, show much closer relations with northern groups. Mr. Dawbin suggested that many of the plants could be accounted for by carriage of seeds by birds blown out of their course, especially seeds which could be entangled in the tufts of down left on young sea birds, which are blown round the whole southern ocean.

Mr. Dawbin mentioned seeing two welcome swallows which had been blown from Australia, and banded dotterells from New Zealand. He also mentioned thrushes, blackbirds, swarrows, goldfinches and linnets (none of these were introduced by man). Also found were tomtits, this, bellbirds, sparrowhawks and yellow and red fronted parrakeets.

Shoo Fly

The most obvious specimens in the zoological line, continued Mr. Dawbin, were the blowflies. These were extremely numerous and blew the men's clothing and such things as sacks, etc., if they were left around at all.

Sandflies were also numerous near the coast. Flightless insects are characteristic of isolated islands were common. These were wasps with only vestigial wings, flightless daddy long legs and some species of flightless moths.

Distinct species of landhoppers and slaters were found and also a peculiar animal resembling both a slug and a snail. This animal (G. Ranforya) has a soft body with a mound on the back. It is peculiar to the Auckland Islands.

Mr. Dawbin then described the sea birds he studied and projected some photographs on to the screen. Many of these birds are very large. The royal albatross, for example, is a handsome white bird with a wing span of 10 feet. Feeding the chicks is interesting to watch. The birds cross beaks and the parent bird regurgitates its food and the food flows into the beak of the chick.

The skuas and nellies are useful scavengers. If any dead seals are left on the beach these birds will soon clean up the carcases. On one occasion Mr. Dawbin disturbed a number of Nellie's round a carcase. They had gorged themselves so much that they couldn't fly so they regurgitated the food until they were light enough to take off again.

Sea Lions and Sills

The description of sea lions was interesting. These animals as distinct from the sea elephants can use their hind flippers for walking and thus can move quite fast. Each sea lion has a harem of from eight to fifteen, and there is much fighting over the females. The biggest and strongest sea lion has the biggest harem. Along the edge of the breeding ground which is a sandy beach the bachelors roam awaiting a chance to cut out their more fortunate fellows.

The sea elephant is distinguished by the possession of a large proboscis on the top and front of its head which inflates with air. A big sea lion may measure up to twenty feet in length, and may weigh several tons.

Many more interesting points were made such as descriptions of penguins and their nesting habits. Then a film was shown which gave a realistic idea of the life on the Islands.

Supper concluded this very pleasant evening.