Conchology Section
Auckland Museum Institute

President's report:
Congratulations to our Poiriena Editors, Tony and Jenny Enderby for their excellent article on Hahei Beach Coromandel, published recently in the Auckland newspaper, The New Zealand Herald.

The current rebuilding programme at the Auckland Museum has engulfed our meeting room and so we are meeting at the Epsom Communtty Centre Opposite Melville Park in Gillies Ave. Ak. until further notice. The Centre is handy to the Southern Motorway 'on' and 'off' ramps.

The speaker at last month's meeting, member Ian Scott, gave a fascinating talk on his project to photograph all of N.Z.'s Molluscs alive in their underwater habitats. Ian's slides were wonderful and his talk was a positive endorsement for the Section's conservation objectives.

Our Annual Shell Auction was a great success although the prices paid for shells did not reach last year's levels. However, shells from the Houhora Museum collection which were auctioned this month by Webb's, attracted high prices.

Next Meeting: Tues. 11th. November 7:30pm.
Until further notice meetings will be held at the Ranfurly Room. Epsom Community Centre. 202 Gillies Ave. (cnr. of Kimberly Rd)
There is parking at the rear of the Centre - main entrance via Kimberly Rd.
Main speakers: Fiona Thompson, Echinoderms; Bruce Hazelwood, Volutidae of Africa; Doug Snook, Epitoniidae.
As this is to be a 'smorgasbord' of Families other members will speak on their favourite shell families. Feature Shells: Epitoniidae or a tray of your own favourite shells.

The 5th National NZ. Shell Show
This will be held in Auckland in October 2004. There is a notice enclosed for you to register your interest. Please contact Peter Poortman as soon as possible.

Field Trip Report
The September field trip to Karaka Bay and the Glendowie sand spit was very productive. Margaret Morley sighted a Bursetella leachii of 150 mm. in length at Karaka Bay. The October field trip to Takapuna Beach, Auckland was not well attended but despite the variable weather conditions it was an interesting visit. The reports on both trips will be published in Poineria.

Two field trips for November (there will be no December field trip.)
Sunday 9th Nov. low tide 14:29 0.8 Beachlands and the sand spit to Motukaraka Island. Meet at 12:30 at the boat ramp in Ealing Cres. Beachlands. We begin an investigation of the beaches of the Tamaki Strait, East Auckland, with a trip to the foreshore at Beachlands; the sand spit; and Motukaraka Is.
Sunday 23rd Nov. low tide 13:15 0.5 (AK) Te Arai Point and Pakari Beach North Auckland. Meet at Te Arai Point at 11:30. For details ph. Rosa 09-620-4523.

Membership:
This month we have two prospective members! Details to follow. In 2003 we have 88 members including 11 life members so we have room for more interested people. You may know of someone who would like to join the Section. I enclose a copy of our membership application form for you to hand on.

Reissue of the Section's Lapel Badge:
Thanks to members who made their opinions known on the proposed term 'Shell Club' for the badge. This term will not be used. Our President, Doug Snook has made an excellent design for the Poirieria shell which tames the dangerous protruding spines of the original badge without compromising the Integrity of the shell theme or the original colours. We hope the badge will be available soon. The price will be between $6-$8.

The Poirieria Prize
The winning article has been chosen and will be announced at the A.G.M. Articles on hold for the 2nd 2003 issue are not included.

75th Anniversary Celebrations.
The Section is 75 yrs old in 2005.

AMI. Lecture
Thursday 6th Nov. 7:30 pm: Manaia Room AWMM. Entry via East Door. Speaker: Prof. D. Parry on "The life of M. Wilkins and the discovery of DNA".

Poirieria magazine
Editors Tony and Jenny Enderby, P.O Box 139 Leigh, require articles for the next Poirieria issue. All queries: ph. (09) 422-6127 or email enderby@enderby.co.nz

Web Site
Conchology section web site is: http://members.tripod.com/~nz_seashells
Our Web site officer is Peter Poortman (poortman@xtra.co.nz)

Library news
To borrow any of the Section's books please contact our Librarian Gladys Goulstone - address 38A Church Rd. Mangere Bridge, Auckland - ph. (09) 634-2823. Gladys will also be in attendance at the Library in the Matapuna Gallery on the Mon. afternoon 2-3 pm before each meeting date. Please contact her regarding books on the list mailed Sept 2001 - Gladys has extra copies of this.
Gladys will deliver book orders to the meeting. If you send her an A4 P.0. handy bag with $2.95 in stamps, for each book, she will mail the books. Please return books to Matapuna as soon as possible or to Gladys at the next meeting, or return them by mail.

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