Conchology Section
Auckland Museum Institute

March Meeting
This will be held on Tuesday, 10th March at Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom.
You are welcome to arrive from 7:00 pm onwards with the meeting commencing at 7:30 pm. We will finally play the DVD titled "Snail: The Movie". This was supplied to us last year by Solid Energy, the state-owned coal mining company, and it is all about the relocation of Powelliphanta augusta Walker et al, 2008 (and, yes, that is the official new name, quotation marks no longer needed!) at the site of the Stockton opencast coal mine in northern Westland. This promises to be interesting footage and very topical and recent.
Martin will also run through (on the big screen) the 2008 paper by WALKER, K.J.; TREWICK, S.A.; BARKER, G.M, describing this new species.
If anyone has examples of the smaller southern South Island Powelliphantas it would be good to see some at the meeting. And, for that matter, any other South Island Powelliphantas are welcomed along and we will have a short discussion of the species arrangement down there and the different theories about their relationships.
Anyone wanting to rebut the Solid Energy case for what they are doing, and how, is most welcome also.

We also welcome back Heather Smith, who has been holidaying in the South and Stewart Islands and will tell us of her recent collecting adventures there.
Also some shell show planning talk, and maybe a demonstration by Heather of how to construct a clear acrylic top for a shell display case.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Condolences
We were saddened to hear of the death of long time member, Jack Godden, who passed away at the beginning of February. Our thoughts are with his family.

Shells for Sale
A long standing member of the Whangarei Shell Club has moved into rest care and can no longer look after her rather extensive collection of shells - NZ and WW, land/freshwater and fossils. Wellington Clubbers have had first pick! But if you would like a list of the families available then please contact G Henderson, phone 09 4388 493.

Subscriptions
Subscription receipts shall be forwarded with next month's newsletter, if you haven't already received same.

Wanted - Articles for Poirieria
Any size, any style, any topic (shell related) ... We would love to hear from you!
Please either send to Jan Munroe, or contact Patricia Langford on phone: 09 4796149.

New Zealand Shell Show 2009
Not long to go until the Shell Show ... and it's shaping up to be a great weekend!
We have about 150 exhibits by collectors from around New Zealand and Australia, and many dealers and visitors from overseas will also be attending.

The Shell Auction on Saturday is sure to be a highlight with a large number of high quality NZ and WW shells up for grabs.

The Pakuranga Community and Cultural Centre, (also known as "Te Huhi, Centre for the Arts") is located at 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga - very near to the large Westfield Shopping Centre.

The weekend timetable is as follows:
. Friday 27/March - Set up time 12 noon to 6pm. Followed by judging from 6pm to 9pm (closed to exhibitors).
. Saturday 28/March - Open to public 10am to 5pm. Buy/sell/swap tables 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Auction 5pm to 7:30pm. Viewing from 3pm. Prize-giving and dinner at Valentines from 7:45pm.
. Sunday 29/March - Open to public 10am to 4pm. Packing up from 4pm to 6pm.
. Monday 30/March - Barbeque lunch at Heather's place (42B Combes Rd, Remuera) for all exhibitors, dealers, and club members.

Please contact Peter Poortman (peter.poortman@xtra.co.nz), if you:
. Are an exhibitor and Peter has not acknowledged receipt of your entry form within ten days.
. Wish to attend the dinner on Saturday evening as a booking is required.
. Can help out as a door attendant during the weekend.
. Have shell posters, etc that could go on the walls for decorations or any other contributions that you think would help make the weekend a success.
. Have a shell show trophy that needs to be returned.

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