ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 



29th January, 1890. 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



At the dose of 1889, the fifteenth year of our Society's existence, 

 I have once more the honour of laying before you the annual 

 report upon the progress and state of the Society, its gains and 

 losses, and the work which it has achieved. In connection with 

 the latter topic, I shall, as heretofore, make reference to such 

 other contributions to the Natural History of Australia as I have 

 been able to observe during the past year. 



The first Monthly Meeting of the Society was held on 25th 

 January, 1875, under the presidency of Mr. (now Sir William) 

 Macleay, — who also, at the first Annual General Meeting, 31st 

 January, 1876, delivered the first President's Address. In the 

 meanwhile the ''Chevert" expedition had been organised and 

 equipped, and had completed its explorations in and about New 

 Guinea. I have on a previous occasion made the remark that it 

 was unquestionably to that expedition and its results that this 

 Society owes its early and vigorous growth. Nevertheless the 

 remark will bear repeating, as well as the reminder that the 

 whole cost of that expedition was borne by our then President, a 

 point which should not be forgotten in the enumeration of his 

 services to Natural History, and his extraordinary contributions 

 towards the welfare of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 



The number of original members was 125, many of whom there 

 is reason to suppose subscribed not altogether on account of 

 particular interest in any branch of Natural History, but rather 

 in order to give a kindly help to an infant Society, whose objects 

 everyone approved. 



