PEOCEEDIXGS AT GEXEEAL MEETINGS. 19 



Ml' Mylne, Xifldrie Mains, called attention to the circumstance that the grant of 

 L.fiO to the Edinburgh Christmas Chib had been withdrawn. The Committee were 

 very grateful to the Society for the support they had got all along, without which they 

 would perhaps have not been in the position they now were, and although they had 

 noAv got a good place for the Show, they were not in such funds as that the grant 

 .should be withdrawn. Owing to their being imable to give good premiums, the best 

 animals went past the Edinburgh Show to Birmingham, Sheffield, and Leeds. He 

 hoped that the Directors would continue the grant. 



Mr Campbf:ll Swinton said that this matter had received the very anxious consi- 

 deration of the Directors, and he would remind his friend Mr Mylue that when the 

 special grant was first given, it was plainly stated that it was only to be a temporary 

 grant. The Society had never pledged itself to continue it. A member of the Com- 

 mittee Avho was connected with the Club had stated that it was now so prosperous that 

 it might very well do without their aid. If they continued the grant now it might 

 become a permanent vote, which was never contemplated. The grant was given when 

 the Club was instituted in order to encourage it ; and it was now so fat and prosperous, 

 like the cattle it exhibited, that it did not now need the Society's aid. 



Mr Paterson of Birthwood said that the grant had been given to those who insti- 

 tuted the Club in order to assist in carrying it on. They had gone on for ten years. 

 Two years ago the Club Avas insolvent, and although they had now entered on jM-osperity 

 to a very small extent, if the Society withdrew the grant he was afraid they had seen 

 the last of the Christmas Shows. He thought that the money was well spent in the 

 encouragement of the Show; and he moved that the grant of L.50 be continued. 



The Earl of Dalkeith said he thought that his friend Mr Campbell Swinton had 

 brought forward no really strong argument why the L.50 should be withdrawn. He had 

 not showni that the Club was misusing the grant, or that tliev could do vrithout it. He 

 thought it was of very great importance that the Club should be kept going at present 

 at any rate. They had had great difficulties to contend with, and very bad buildings in 

 Avhich to show the stock. They had got this year for the first time a very good building 

 in which to hold the Show, but if the money was withdra\\Ti he believed it would be a 

 very serious affair for the Christmas Show. Not only Avas there a show of fat stock, 

 but a large show of poultry at the same time, and he thought that the Highland Society 

 Avas not in that position that they could not afford the grant. It Avould not embarrass 

 the Society, and the money Avould be given in a manner Avhich Avould fonvard the agricul- 

 tural interests in this part of the country. He hojied that unless the Directors had 

 any very strong reason to give for refusing the grant they Avould be Avilling to recop-^ 

 sider it. 



The Secretary stated that the District SIioav Committee had recommended that 

 the grant to the Club should be continued, but that it should not become permanent. 

 The grant had been AvithdraAvn because a ncAV member of the Club opposed it, as the 

 Club Avas now able to meet its OAvn claims. 



Mr Bethuxe of Blebo said he hopeil that the Directors AA'ould reconsider their deci- 

 sion. The Club had noAvgota ShoAvyard Avhich Avas the best in Great Britain ; but 

 still they required the grant. 



The Noble Chaiu.aian said that the balance of the arguments seemed to be in faA'our 

 of continuing the grant. 



It Avas then agreed to restore the grant of L.50 for one year. The report Avas other- 

 wise approved of. 



Cottage CoMPETiTroN.s, — In the absence of the Convener, Mr Mackenzie of Port- 

 more reported that the money premiums awarded in 1876 amounted to L.13, 10s. 

 besides eighteen medium and eighteen minor silver medals in fifteen districts ; and 

 that the premiums to be uti'ered in 1877 amount to L.21, twenty medium sih'er, and 

 tAventy-eight minor silver medals in sixteen districts. Besides the jn-emiums to cot- 

 tagers, it is proj)o.se<l to continue the ofler of two gold medals— first, to the proprietors 

 in Scotlijntl who shall report the i)iiprovement of the greatest num])er of cottages 

 during 1874, 187r», and 1876 ; and .second, to the proprietor in Scotland Avho sliall 

 1 ('j)ort tlie erection of the greatest number of approved cottages during the years 1873, 

 1874, 1875, and 1876. 



"Transactions" for 1877. —Mr Irvine of Drum said— I have to report that the 

 " Transactions" for 1877 (vol. 1) of the new series) is partly in type, and tliat as many 

 of the i)rize essays and rei)orts whieh Avill be announced to-day will be included ;us, 

 Avith the j)roceedings, the premium list for 1877, and the list of memVcrs, Avill niake 

 the volume tlie usual size. 



Chemical Dei-ahtmk.nt. — Mr Mackenzie of Portmore read the following 

 report by the Clieinieal Committee: — On the occasion of tlie general meeting in June 

 la.st, the rejiort then brought forward narrated the .steps taken by the Directors and 

 Committee Avitli the view of carrying out the resolution of the general meeting of Janu- 

 ary 1876. By that resolution it Avill be rciiieiiibered tlie aiipointmeiit of a chemist was 

 to l)e provisional and for a limited period, and Avas to embrace the entire service of thu 



