THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA. 



The Koval Society of Tasmania was founded on the 14tli Octo- 

 ber, 1843, l>y His Excellency Sii- John Eardley Eardley Wilmot, 

 Lieutenant Covernor of Van Diemen's Land, as "The Botani- 

 cal and Horticultural Society of Van Diemen's Land." The 

 Botanical Gardens in the Queen's Domain, near Hobart, were 

 shortly afterwards placed under its management, and a grant 

 of £4(JU a year towards their nuiintenance was made by the 

 Government. In 1844, His Ex«>llency annount-i-d to the 

 Society that Her Majestv the Queen had signified her con- 

 sent to become its patron ; and that its designation should 

 thenceforward \xi "The Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land 

 for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science." 



In 1848 the Society established the Tasmanian Museum ; and 

 in 1849 it commenccKl the publication of its "'Papers and Pro- 

 ceedings." 



In 1854 the Legislative Council of Tasmania by 'The Uoyal 

 Society .\ct" made provision for vesting the property of the 

 Society in trustees, and for othi'r matters connected with the 

 management of its affairs. 



In ]8")o the i.ame of the Colony was changed to Tasnuinia, 

 and the Society then became "The Royal Society of Tasmania 

 for Horticulture, Hotany and the .\(l\ancoment of Science." 



In 18f)0 a piece of ground at tho cornier of Argvlc and Mac- 

 quarie streots, Hobart. was given liy the Crown to the Society 

 as a site for a Museum, and a giant of t.'i.OdO was made for tin- 

 erection of a l)uilding. I'he Society contiibutfd tl.80(» towards 

 rhe cost, and thv ih-w .Muscnin Mas finished in 1*^02. 



In 188.") the Societ.v ga\e back to the Crown tin- liotanical 

 Garden-; ami the Museum which, with the collections of tht^ 

 Museum, wen- \ csted in a body of trustees, of whom six are 

 chosen from the Society. In consideration of the services 

 it had rendered in the promotion of rcience. and in the for- 

 mation and management of the Muwum and Gardens, the right 

 was reserved to the Society to liave exclusiv<v yxissession of 

 sufficient and convenient rooms in the Museum, for the safe 

 custody of its Lil)iaiy, and for its meetings, and for all other 

 puri>oses cnniiefted with it. 



In inn the I'arliament of Tasmania, by "The IU)yal Society 



Act, 1911," created the Society a bodv corporate bv the name 



of ''Hie INiyal Society of Tasmania." with ]>erpetual succes- 

 sion. 



The object of the Society is rleclnied l)y its Rules to be 

 "the advancement of knowledge." 



His Majesty the King is Patron of the Society . and Hit 

 Excellencv the Governor of Tasmania is Pre<^ident. 



