Auckland Shell Club

September meeting
In keeping with the theme of the evening, Doug and Luen brought in some trays of African shells. Doug also had his large range of shells for sale at half the normal price.
And new member Leo Sim brought in a book of photos and notes of his impressive worldwide shell collection.

Margaret reported some items of interest ...
. The Leigh Marine Laboratory has recently been rebuilt, and now includes a large exhibition area. Margaret may organise a club trip there on a summer weekend with low tides.
. The September issue of NZ Geographic contains an interesting article on the Kermadec Islands. The article includes many good photos, and mentioned some new marine species recently found there.
. Bruce Hayward is co-author of the recently published book "Volcanoes of Auckland: The Essential Guide". This outstanding book brings to life the nature and culture of Aucklands volcanic life through authoritative text, newly commissioned maps, spectacular new aerial photography, and large numbers of contemporary and historic illustrations.
. A UK television crew invaded Margarets home recently to film a program on the toxic sea slug Pleurobranchia. Margaret has two of these animals living in her fish tank, and they performed well for the cameras. The film will air in the UK in about 3-4 months and may one day be broadcast in NZ.

Heather then entertained us with a Powerpoint slideshow of her recent overseas trip with twin sister Alison.
This trip, to celebrate their 65th birthday, took about three and a half months and traversed 12 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Scandinavia.
In Africa they visited many National Parks and saw a huge amount of wildlife up close - the highlight of which was a wild Gorilla encounter in Rawanda.
In the Middle East they visited the Pyramids, the Nile River, Petra Jordan, many biblical sites in Israel, and swam in the Dead Sea.
Bike riding in Germany, Austria, and Italy. Attended the wedding of Alisons son in Sweden, and even ventured to the remote Arctic Island of Spitsbergen where they experienced 24 hour daylight.
The many photos were excellent, and there were even some of shells - including a freshwater mussel Heather found in the River Jordan.

Next Meeting - Tuesday 11th October
This will be held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Wilma Blom and Peter Quin will host the meeting, and Peter will show us his work in 3D imaging of the NZ Type Specimens. The technique he uses allows for the recording of great detail and depth of images.
This promises to be a very interesting evening, and the Museum shell collection will also be available for viewing. Please contact Margaret Morley if you have any particular family of shells that you would like to view.
Attendees must arrive at the South Entrance (Atrium Entrance) between 7.15pm and 7.30pm sharp!
Also, Heather will have returned from her Outer Swain Reef trip, so she may give us a brief report on that.

Your club needs you!
Volunteers are required for some of the clubs more active positions. In particular for the roles of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, & Porieria Editor.
If you have the time and the skills for any of these positions then we would like to hear from you.
Please contact Peter Poortman on petermwp@gmail.com or (09) 817 1397.

Poirieria Magazine
We hope to publish this years edition in November.
Contact Patricia Langford on (09) 479 6149 if you have any queries.

Shell Auction - Albany Hall, Saturday 22nd October 2011
Our annual Shell Auction will again be held at the Albany Hall, 3-21 Library Lane, Albany.
. Helpers are needed to set up the hall at 9am.
. Sales tables will be available from 10:00am to 11:30am
. Viewing will commence at 10am, and the auction will start at midday - one hour earlier than normal because of the large number of lots.
. Intending bidders please register with auction staff at 11:30pm as the auction will commence promptly at midday. Payment is required on the day (cash or cheque only).
. Light refreshments will be made available to members, however feel free to bring your own lunch. There are many eating places nearby.
. This year there are 304 lots. All care has been taken with labelling of the lots, however the Club cannot guarantee information. Changes to the schedule will be available on the day if required.
Proxy bids should be emailed to Peter Poortman at petermwp@gmail.com or posted to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604. If successful you will be sent an invoice via post/email (including any packaging and postal charges) which must be paid in full before items are despatched.

Club Library
We have an extensive collection of books, magazines, and scientific publications available, as well as a biological microscope.

Other Club News
. As part of a wider study of the genus Cominella, Hamish Spencer is looking for 3-4 alcohol preserved live taken individuals of the Norfolk Island endemic species Cominella norfolkensis. If you are going to Norfolk Island and would be willing to collect these whelks, please contact Hamish at h.spencer@otago.ac.nz. He will send you the details, including collection materials and the necessary documentation.

. Life in the World's Oceans: Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance - Wiley Online Library.

. Shells from the renowned Holloway collection are for sale by his daughter Susi Thompson who lives in Queenstown. The list of shells and prices can be viewed here.
Contact Susi directly if you wish to buy any of these shells - Ph. 0274 974 388, or email thomoz@xtra.co.nz.

. 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.

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