Southern Māori Archives Project

Letter, 27/01/1906, N. L. Buchanan, Paturau, via Collingwood. to Professor W B Benham, Describes search for native earth worms and regrets that this was not very successful. Has sent two earthworms. Reflects that "this appears to be…a very wormless country."

Letter, 26/02/1906, James Begg, Willowburn, Clinton to Professor W B Benham, Sending a "peculiar kind of lizard," found near Clinton. Has not previously seen a lizard the same as this specimen. Notes that it is still "fairly cheerful" despite loss of tail.

Letter, 17/10/1906, Charles William Ablett, Native School, Te Kao, North Auckland to Professor W B Benham, Sending three "peculiar worms" in a tin box. Notes Professor Benham's special knowledge about worms. Describes worms found and notes they are flat not round.

Letter, 09/11/1906, Charles William Ablett, Native School, Te Kao, North Auckland to Professor W B Benham, Regrets that worms did not survive but can send more if tubes and bottles supplied. Describes children's long walk from the gum field. Land in their settlement can not be dug for earthworms. Discusses planarian worms.

Letter, 04/12/1906, F. Guitel, Professor, Faculty of Sciences, Zoology, University of Rennes. to Professor W B Benham, Seeking fish specimens belonging to the small marine coastal family of Gobiesocides. These fish are characterised by suckers which enable them to adhere to rocks. Can exchange for European specimens. Note: Translated from French.

Letter, 08/09/1906, J.W Hilgendorf, Lincoln College to Professor W B Benham, Gryllotalpa not forgotten. Discussion on identity of insect from Wanganui taken by Captain Hutton to England: G. vulgaris, confirming Kirk's opinion.

Letter, 26/09/1906, J W Hilgendorf, Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln to Professor W B Benham, Returning "Gryllotalpa" by mail. Book published in Nuremburg in 1792 conetains descriptions. Intends to breed the adult from specimens obtained from Wanganui. Questions remain whether it is Gryllotalpa Africana (Australia) or G. Vulgaris (England).

Letter, 10/05/1906, Director, Colonial Musem, Wellington to Professon W B Benham, Papers returned; Tost and Rahu , Sydney, suppliers of Emu skins. Discussion about transport difficulties, ownership, and techniques for display of the Moa specimen.

Letter, 21/05/1906, Director, Colonial Musem, Wellington to Professor W B Benham, Cost of Emus skins was 5/6 each; 12 used; legs 8 guineas. Question of ownership delayed until after the Exhibition.

Letter, 19/06/1906, Tost & Rohu's, Sydney to Professor W B Benham, Apologies for slow supply of Emu skins; acknowledging payment received.

Letter, 06/08/1906, Henry Suter, Auckland to Professor W B Benham, Various matters including collection earthworms, naming of one, reprints, request for supply of specimans.

Letter, 05/09/1906, Henry Suter, Auckland to Professor W B Benham, General comments about German scientists; prices for Tuataras; regrets over the ease "outsiders" can take protected animals.