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XVIII— REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



PEESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING 



On TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1912 



1. The Royal Colonial Institute, which closes the forty-third year of its existence 

 with the issue of this Report, was founded at a Meeting held in the year 1868 

 for the purpose of promoting the increase and diffusion of knowledge respecting 

 the Colonies and Dependencies, and the preservation of a permanent union between 

 the Mother Country and various parts of the Empire. As a means of promoting 

 these objects, and as a meeting place for those interested in them, the Institute 

 has provided a substantial building in the heart of the Empire which contains a 

 library and newspaper room chiefly devoted to Colonial literature, together with 

 reading, writing, smoking, and reception rooms ; it issues a monthly Journal, 

 entitled United Empire, which is devoted to the history, trade, resources, and 

 development of all parts of the British Empire, and is forwarded free of cost to 

 all the Fellows ; it also makes provision for the frequent reading and discussion of 

 papers connected with Imperial and Colonial questions. 



2. A significant feature of the growth of the Institute during the year under 

 review is the largely increased Membership of both Resident and Non-Resident 

 Fellows. This may be attributed chiefly to appreciation of the value of the 

 Institute, and to the active co-operation of the Honorary Corresponding Secretaries, 



Fellows and Associates. 



3. During the past year 223 Resident, 555 Non-Resident, 54 Associates, and 

 2 Honorary Follows have been elected, making a total of 834, as compared with 158 

 Resident, 529 Non-Resident Fellows, 39 Associates, and 1 Honorary Fellow, or a 

 total of 725 in 1910. On December 31, 1911, there were 1,676 Resident, 3,807 Non- 

 Resident Fellows, 110 Associates, and 15 Honorary Fellows, or 5,608 in all ; of whom 



