Conchology Section
Auckland Museum Institute

Carol Diebel, Marine Curator at the Auckland War Memorial Museum showed members around the Department. She gave a fascinating tour of the wet and dry collections, explaining the way the various specimens are stored. The wet collection has recently been double jarred to prevent drying out. Some members enjoyed looking at boxes of their favourite species.

Carol talked about the ways specimens are acquired such as collections being donated. We looked at the specialist books in the library. Fiona demonstrated how the computer is used to accession lots and Glenys showed the mollusc type cabinet.

Thank you Carol for giving us this opportunity to see the Department.

Mahurangi Island, Waiwera
A field trip was held on June 24. Despite heavy rain on the way north the sky cleared on arrival and we had a pleasant expedition. Low tide pools and turnable rocks produced many species including Tugali elegans and T. suteri. Cantharidella tesselata was common. A full report and list will be published in due course. A special bonus was the pod of large dolphins who came into the bay to fish and perform aquabatics.

AUCTION
Saturday 22 September 2001 at Milford Baptist Church Hall, Dodson Av Milford. There is room for a few more lots. To book ph. Glenys (09) 415 9930. She just wants numbers at this stage, first in first served. We are keen to include some high quality New Zealand shells- have you any available? Individuals are responsible for their typed list and preparation of lots. Shells must be in open boxes available for pre-auction inspection by bidders.

Sunday 21 September 2001
Doug Snook is holding an open house on the Sunday following the auction, everyone is welcome to come and view his extensive collection and talk shells from 11am at 16 Donzella Place, Conifer Groove, Takanini. The jug will be on for tea and coffee, but bring your own lunch if you want to come around midday. Phone Doug (09) 299 6476 if you need directions.

LIBRARY
After much patient negotiation by Glenys, cataloguing by Rae and Fiona and the actual shifting of books by the above and Nancy, Betty and Rosa the library is now available to members in Mataapuna, the resource centre on the first floor near the Oceans gallery, during all Museum opening hours. You do not need to pay the entry donation, just say you are going to the library in Mataapuna. The staff have a list of members, so if you know your name and have any ED you can borrow!

WANTED
Bruce Marshall wants specimens of the small fresh water bivalve Musculium (previously Sphaerium) or Pisidium. They live in mud in the quiet waters of lakes, streams and rivers. They are collected by shaking weed in a bucket of water then sieving the water, or sieving the mud in the lake. Preserve live specimens in 50% meths. or ethanol? Email brucem@tepapa.govt.nz to confirm.

POIRIERIA
Jenny and Tony are planning to publish the next Journal in September. They are looking forward to receiving your contribution, preferably in hard copy ready for publication. They have been diving around the country, having won a contract to write and photograph for a book in the Lonely Planet series on diving in New Zealand.

SHELL SHOW IN WELLINGTON 26-27 January 2001
The show rules, schedules and registration forms are available. Contact Deidre Standish, (04) 938 6554 or deirdrestandish@clear.net.nz or 27 Fitzpatrick St., Johnsonville, Wellington.

FOR SALE
* For sale 31 drawer rimu cabinet in good condition. Price $100. Ph Mike Hart (09) 278 1974 or m.hart@ix.net.nz

* Homemade shell washing station, consisting of small electrical compressor for a high pressure jet, separate water tap, basin and sink and light on a wooden base. price $100 ONO. For details, size etc. ph. Yvonne Zurrer (09) 473 5522 or yvonnez@xtra.co.nz

MAHIA 16-19 OCTOBER 2001
Bookings have been made at Blue Bay Holiday Park for people on the list. To confirm your place bring deposit of $30 to the next meeting or post now to Margaret Morley, 25 The Boulevard, Pakuranga, Auckland 1706. More details will be available at the meeting or Ph. 576 8323. It looks a beautiful place on the brochures. There are a few places still available if you want to add your name and give a deposit.

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 14 August 7:30pm. Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Entry by the Administration door between 7:15 and 7:30pm. No late admittance.

The speaker will be Bruce Hayward, his topic is "Early Miocene fossils of Auckland and their stories". Support what will no doubt be a lively well illustrated talk by bringing a tray of fossils. Also requested are trays of shells from the Auckland area, World wide Harpidae or items of general interest.

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