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Auckland Shell Club |
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Auckland Shell Club |
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Goat Island trip
Fourteen members, plus an equal number from the Geology Club, received an interesting guided tour of the new Leigh Marine Visitors Centre on Saturday 11/Feb.
Most of us then took advantage of a low tide and good weather to snorkel in the Goat Island Marine Reserve. That was pleasant, but unfortunately there was not much to see. We later learned that fish numbers are low in that area at low tide.
Expectations of seeing rare shell species such as Semicassis royana also did not eventuate. In fact there were very few molluscs at all, and Tony Enderby later commented that shellfish numbers had noticeably declined since the creation of the Marine Reserve and subsequent increase in fish numbers.
Hmmm. Perhaps there is an up-side to over-fishing after all!
Anyway, the Marine Visitors Centre had a small collection of NZ shells on display, as well as a pool of live specimens.
The Centre would appreciate additions to their collection, so if you have any good specimens to spare for them please contact Heather Smith (09 5245068) or Margaret Morley (09 5768323).
For more information about the Leigh Marine Centre see http://leighmarine.auckland.ac.nz.
Thanks to Jenny & Tony Enderby for the very enjoyable evening BBQ.
February Meeting
All attendees contributed by speaking about the shells they brought in, as well as giving some background about their interest in shell collecting and the storage of their collections.
Margaret Morley, as usual, had many items of interest.
Peter Poortman talked about the register of largest (and sinistral) NZ shells on our website, and had on display a tray of all his endemic specimens listed in the register.
Doug Snook spoke about his two trays of interesting shells and shells with a story.
Thomas Simpson spoke about the tray of chitons he collected from a bay north of Kerikeri.
Nick Britton spoke about his interest in NZ land snails, and about the tray of specimens he brought in.
Luen Jones, Michael Barlow, Martin Walker, Betty Headford, Alan Peterson, and Eugene also told us about their shell collecting interests and experiences.
Last but not least, Heather Smith told her story, and treated us to a CD of old shell club photos and articles that she obtained from long ago member Keith Edwards. The photos were of shell club trips to Wattle Bay in 1973, Okoronai and Mahurangi in 1974, Ngunguru in 1976, and Whangaruru in 1978. We had fun trying to identify the young looking people in the photos.
There we also photographs of a 1/June/1964 Womans Weekly article about the CSAMI club. The article included colour photos of, amongst others, patron Dr A.W.B.Powell, president Mr Jock Walker (Martin Walkers father), secretary Mrs Lorna Seager, and member Captain Fred Short.
Also included were images of the 1989 members list.
Next Meeting
Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom at 7:30pm on Tuesday 13th of March (doors open 7pm).
Markus Niiranen, an avid shell collector from Finland, is doing a shelling trip in the South Pacific area.
He has timed his NZ visit to include our ASC meeting, and kindly agreed to be our guest speaker for the evening.
Markus is particularly interested in Cassidae, Ranellidae, Struthiolariidae, and Calliostomatidae families, so it would be appreciated if members could bring specimens of these to the meeting.
But Markus is no ordinary shell collector - come and hear his astonishing story!
Committee members, please arrive at 6:30pm for a short committee meeting prior to the main meeting.
Shell Auction - Albany Hall, Saturday 27th October 2012
The Albany Hall has been booked, so mark it in your diary now!
If you would like to sell at the auction then please register your interest with Peter Poortman (09 8171397), preferably with an indication of how many lots you would like to enter.
Subscriptions
A reminder that if you have not already paid, subscriptions for 2012 are now due.
Invoices were enclosed with the last newsletter.
Contact our Treasurer Michael Barlow (09 6233231) if you have any queries.
Poirieria Magazine
We welcome contributions to our club magazine "Poirieria".
Anything related to shells or collecting would be greatly appreciated - Eg. shelling trips/finds, personal observations/tips, scientific research, historic anecdotes, a notable washup, etc.
Please email articles to Peter Poortman at petermwp@gmail.com, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.
Club Library
We have an extensive collection of books, magazines, and scientific publications available, as well as a biological microscope.
Other Club News
. The committee has started thinking about another Shell Show to be held in Auckland in early/mid 2013.
. Thank-you to all members who helped at the Auckland Museum "Explorama" a few weeks ago. Especially Heather who provided many of the shell displays and advertising. Hopefully this will have attracted some new members.
. Heather Smith is writing an article for the GeoClub magazine "Geocene" about the strange rocks (concretions) she found at Coopers Beach a few years ago.
. Tony and Jenny Enderby have written a beautiful book on NZ Fish, and had their book launch on 29/Feb.
. Items of interest for the monthly newsletter are always welcome - email to petermwp@gmail.com, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.
