Conchology Section
Auckland Museum Institute

President's Report
Dr Andrea Alfaro created a very enthusiastic audience at our November meeting. Her presentation "Mussel Ecology" and her research on Ninety Mile Beach included reproduction, dispersal, settlement, growth, marketing, export and more! 22 people enjoyed the presentation and by the amount of questioning and discussion that went on, one would have to conclude that it was a very successful evening.
Thank you to those who brought in some shells for us to view. Also thank you to those who attended the committee meeting earlier in the evening.
Happy shelling and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Heather Smith

December Meeting
Our December meeting will include the Annual General Meeting followed by a powerpoint photo slide show.
What to bring:
- Our shell theme for the evening will be a tray of special New Zealand shells (including land snails). Let's see how many trays of interesting New Zealand shells we can manage!
- Please bring alaong a gift wrapped shell for our Christmas lucky dip - labelled "NZ" or "WW".
- Please bring a plate of Christmas cheer for a shared supper.
See you there on Tuesday, 12 December at Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom. You are welcome to arrive from 7:00pm onwards with the AGM commencing at 7:30pm.

Shell Auction
A shell auction is being planned for early 2007 (probably May - however this will not be able to be confirmed until February). We are offering 20 shell lots (minimum) for everyone that might like to sell some shells. Please confirm your lots with Jan Munroe, phone 444 8460, email kevandjan@slingshot.co.nz. If we don't get a huge response we will then increase the number of lots per person!

Coming Meetings
Club President, Heather Smith, will be away for February, March, and April meetings. Patricia Langford will chair our February meeting on holiday finds - shells and stamps. Our March meeting will be chaired by Patricia Langford (speaker yet to be confirmed) - conidae and cuspidariidae, and Doug Snook will chair and organise our April meeting.

New Zealand Shell Show 2007
Lower Hutt Town Hall, 26-28 January 2007
Plans for the Wellington Shell Show are all running to schedule. They are all looking forward to the show and hope as many of our club will be able to attend.
Check out our website if you require any further details concerning transport and accomodation otherwise contact Deirdre Standish direct on 04 938 6554, or deirdre.standish@clear.net.nz.
We look forward to hearing all about it at our February meeting.

Shell Collections For Sale
Two people have been in contact regarding shell collections for sale - both collections sound quite large. Please make contact with these people direct if you are interested:
- Jill Griffith, Levin. Phone 06 3626 501, or 027 651 6991 (3 to 4 tea chests)
- Brent Bartle, Kawerau. Phone 07 323 8688, or 027 275 0076.

Have a good holiday
This is the final newsletter of the year - thank you all for your support and encouragement over 2006.
I wish you a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year holiday season with family and friends. I am fortunate enough to be able to holiday at the Sandspit Caravan Park over January, and then time in the Coromandel - lots of fabulous beach locations to appease my shell fanaticism!
The next newsletter shall be sent at the end of January 2007.
Jan Munroe

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