7l: RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



there are a Subscrijition and two Circulating Libraries; for 

 the Scientific, lectures in Natural Philosoi^hy, Chemistry, etc., 

 and a ^Museum, which must ere long rise into importance for 

 the innumerable wonders of the animal, vegetable, and 

 mineral kingdoms of this great Southern Land," 



The 1835 appropriation for the Colonial Museum given in 

 " Abstract of tlie Revenue of the Co\onj of New South Wales, 

 etc., for tlie year 1835 "^ was only £72 Os. Od. which 

 coincides with the expenditure given in the old document 

 here printed i)i e.ffenso, although the Credit Vote was set out 

 £200 Os. Od. 



Just how long tlie title of " Colonial Museum," and just 

 when the officinl change took place to that now borne by the 

 Institution, we do not at present know for there is a slight 

 discrepancy in the records. For instance in the " Xew South 

 Wales Calendar," already referred to for 1835 (p. 371) 

 occurs the expression : — 



" Miscellaneous Services — Towards the support of the Australian (1) 

 Museum— =£200." 



yet in tlie same publication for 1836 (p. 313), the name 

 " Colonial Museum " is again reverted to. 



The first volume of the old Minute Books of the Museum, 

 under date of " June 7th, 1836," opens with this heading : — 



'• Minutes of the General Committee of the Australian Museum and 

 Botanical Gardens." 



There is also in existence a letter from the then Colonial 

 Secretary (Alexander Macleay), dated " Colonial Secretary's 

 Office, 5th April, 1836," relative to past financial matters of 

 the Colonial Museum, of whicli more anon. It is, therefore, 

 possil)le that the change of title took place between 5th April 

 and 7th June, 1836. 



'But here enters the discre{)ancy previously referred to, for 

 it was on 8th June, 1836, at a meeting of the Museurn Sub- 

 Committee that the first de6nite official proposal to change the 

 appellation of the Institution was made, so far as T have been able 

 to ascei'tain. At the meeting in question it was I'esolved : — 



" That the Museum should be named the Australian Museum." 



•* Votes and Proceedings of tlie Legislative Council during the 

 Session 1836. 



