Conchology Section
Auckland Museum Institute

President's Report
As advised in last month’s newsletter, Heather is currently in Australia having attended the Sydney shell show with other members of the Auckland Club. Heather has advised that they have had a wonderful time and that the shell show was a great success with trophies won by members of our club. The ladies are currently visiting family members and holidaying before returning home. We look forward to hearing their wonderful stories and photos at the upcoming April meeting.

March Meeting
Chris Horne held a wonderful meeting on the night of the 14th. About 15 members were able to join us (including Patricia Langford after an absence of a few months).
A lot of preparation and forethought was put into the topic of Evolution and Chris included a quantity of visual displays and examples. It was great to hear a speaker so passionate about his subject.
I would have loved to have included a photograph of the fabulous "forest" brought in for the night, however my camera ran out of batteries ... it was a sight to see!!

Upcoming April Meeting
This will be held on Tuesday, 11th April at Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom.
You are welcome to arrive from 7.15 pm with the meeting commencing at 7.30 pm. Those members who went to the Far North please bring along your finds and stories to share, and those who attended the Sydney Shell Show your photos, shell trays and trophies!
The meeting will be preceded by a committee meeting at 6.00 pm, during which time we shall discuss and finalise plans for the auction.

Reminders
Margaret Morley would like to see any shells of the black slug Melanochlamys cylindrica that you have in your collection. Please bring any to a shell meeting for a short term loan.

Ambergris — we would love to have someone educate us further on this substance, and wondered whether any members had any ambergris or would like to speak on this topic. Please see Jan, Heather or Peter.

Tony and Jenny Enderby are making preparations for the 75th edition of Poirieria. Richard Willan is aiming to have his paper ready for the middle of May so any members wishing to contribute to this edition should send their information to the editors now. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to be included in what is going to be an historic issue. As previously requested personal interest stories, etc are welcomed.

Anyone interested in land snails may like to check out Phylogeography of kauri snails and their allies from northland at www.sciencedirect.com

Congratulations
Congratulations to Hamish Spencer who was recently granted full professorship. Professor Spencer has recently published a paper on Paryphantinae a copy of which is held in the Club Library.
Please contact Gladys Goulstone should you wish to borrow a copy of this published paper or any of our other wonderful collection of books available. If you require a copy of the library book list please advise Jan and one will be forwarded with your newsletter.

New Zealand and worldwide shells for sale
Mr O Atkinson of Waitara has a quantity of both New Zealand and worldwide shells collected between 1972 and 1982 that he would like to sell. He will include some free shells in each order with postage from $1.00 to $2.00. Jan Munroe has a copy of the list and will bring this along to each meeting, otherwise contact Mr Atkinson direct on (06) 754 6219.

Shell Auction
You are invited to attend the Shell Auction to be held on Saturday, 29th April 2006 at Albany Hall, 3-21 Library Lane, Albany. Auction Schedule.
Helpers are needed to set up the hall at 9:00 am.
Sales tables will be available from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at no charge to sellers.
Auction lots will be available for inspection from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Club t-shirts and badges shall also be made available for sale during this time.
Intending bidders please register with auction staff at 12:30 pm as the auction shall commence at 1:00 pm sharp. Payment required on the day.
Light refreshments shall be made available to members, however feel free to bring your lunch.
Please remember to bring the schedule included with your February/March newsletter with you to the auction. All care has been taken with labelling of shell lots, however the club cannot guarantee information. Changes to the schedule will be available on the day.
An exciting display of over 198 shell lots and 30 book lots up for auction (subject to change).
If travelling via the Northern Motorway, take the Albany Expressway (17) offramp through to Library Lane.

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