PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 31 



therefore not unreasonable to ask that a similar right should be granted to confer vete- 

 rinary diplomas. Whether the suspension of the Society's examinations may turn out 

 disadvantageous to Scotland and the veterinary profession, remains to be proved ; but 

 under the circumstances I have now detailed, the Directors considered it impossible to 

 continue to grant certificates. 



Agricultural Reports. — Mr Mylne, Niddrie Mains (in the absence of Mr Walker 

 of Bowland, convener), laid on the table the reports on the premiums awarded for 

 Agricultural Reports, and those offered for competition in 1879, which were approved of. 



Forestry Department. — Professor Balfour submitted the reports on premiums 

 awarded in the Forestry Department, and those offered for competition in 1879, which 

 were approved of. 



The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the Marquis of Lothian, which 

 was proposed by Mr IMurray of Dollerie. 



TESTIMONIAL TO ME F. N. MENZIES. 



Presented at a Meeting held in the Society's Hall, 



17th July 1878. 



His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K.G., in the Chair. 



The Duke of Buccleuch said that, as they were all aware, the purpose for which 

 they had met was to present a testimonial to their esteemed secretary, Mr Menzies. 

 (Applause.) In the first place, he would call on Mr Walker of Bowland to report as to 

 the proceedings of the committee. 



Mr Walker said he did not know that he had anything to mention which was not 

 already known to all present ; but it was right that at the conclusion of the labours of 

 the committee he should make a short statement. As they were aware, the movement 

 to present a testimonial to Mr Menzies was commenced by members of the Society, who 

 had been much struck with the idea that his services and his attention to the affairs of 

 the Society, especially at a time when he was labouring under circumstances of extreme 

 family distress, should be recognised. Those gentlemen thought it right to bring their 

 proposal before a meeting of the Directors of the Society, as they did not think it 

 would be proper to act in the matter Avithout their sanction. They accordingly did so, 

 and the Directors of the Society cordially entered into the proposed movement. He 

 himself was not present at that meeting of the Directors ; but the result was that an 

 acting committee was appointed, consisting of Sir William Baillie, Admiral Sir William 

 J. Hope Johnstone, Mr Gillon of Wallhouse, Mr Hutchison of Carlowrie, Mr Mylne, 

 Niddrie Mains ; Mr Howatson of Dornel ; and INIr Ferguson, Kinnochtry ; and they 

 did himself the honour of appointing him convener of that committee. The first duty 

 they had to discharge was to organise a large general committee, in order that the 

 object in view should be presented to the members of the Society under proper aus- 

 pices. They distributed a number of circulars, which, he must say, were almost 

 imiversally responded to and most cordially received. (Applause.) The result of that 

 was that a committee, consisting of about 200 members of the Society, was organised, the 

 Duke of Buccleuch kindly undertaking to act as chairman of the committee ; Sir Wm. 

 Gibson-Craig as vice-chairman ; Mr Hutchison of Carlowrie as treasurer ; with a com- 

 mittee consisting of the Earl of Dalkeith, the Marquis of Lothian, the Earl of Wemyss, 

 the Earl of Glasgow, Lord Lovat, and a great many proprietors and tenant-farmers- 

 he might say, both rich and poor. The movement was not one got up l»y a class, but 

 it was a general movement on the part of the friends of Mr Menzies in the Society. 

 (Applause.) After havmg arranged the committee, they then communicated with the 

 members of the Society, and the results would be laid before them to-day in the testi- 

 monial to be presented to their friend. He would merely take this opportunity of 

 referring to the very recent death of one of the members of the acting committee, 

 Admiral Sir William Hope Johnstone, whose funeral, he believed, took place that very 

 day. He knew that Sir William was very deeply interested in the movement, and 

 there was not a more active member of the acting committee than Sir William— 



