164 FOUNDATION AND EARLY WORK 



U.S. TAS. 



suggested that the £2 should be paid by the old membeors 

 as a "donation," and not as an "entrance fee/' in order 

 that the "Tasmanian Society" about to be merged in the 

 extended one should be fully recognised. In answer to a 

 question by Mr Champ, as to the grounds upon which the 

 old Society claimed exemption from the payment of the 

 entrance money, or to be dealt with otherwise than the 

 new members, Mr. Henslowe replied that, in his opinion, 

 the Society had fairly earned its position; and, moreover, 

 that it already possessed property to some extent, Lady 

 Franklin having made over to it her estate of Ancanthe, 

 comprising a museum, with four hundred acres of land 

 attached; a cottaget, letting for £25, and the land for £50 

 per annum — an income of £75 a year — was available for 

 keeping up the Museum and other purposes of the Tas- 

 manian Society. 



A disposition to make concession as to the entranca 

 money for the old members was then evinced. It is right 

 to state that Sir Eardley Wilmot was not till then aware 

 of Lady Franklin's munificent gift. Much desultory con- 

 versation ensued, and a rather growing irritability was 

 visible. The Rev. J. P. Gell proposed the printing of the 

 new rules, in order that they might be fully considered by 

 the members, who, hei doubted not, would most readily 

 accede to the propositions when made acquainted with 

 them ; but His Excellency was averse from any delay, and 

 seemed toi entertain the belief that the objections against 

 immediate amalgamation, without further modification, 

 were not tenable. Mr. Belcher then got up and said that 

 he believed the members of the Tasmanian Society were 

 against the proposed increase of its body ; upon which Hia 

 Excellency, as its President, immediately adjourned the 

 meeting of the Society sine die. 



With the exception of five, the members C|uittied the 

 room, with many others; and Sir Eardley Wilmot forth- 

 with proceeded to establish a new Society from among 

 those who remained, having resolved that the object con- 

 nected with the grant of the Government Garden should 

 be carried into' immediate effect. His Excellency then re- 

 vised the rules to adopt them to the new Society, which 

 he at once entitled "The Horticultural and Botanical 

 "Society of Van Diemen's Land," striking out all the 

 irrelevant clauses. In the list of Vice-Presidents^ for the 

 Bishop, the name of Mr. Foster, Controller-General, was 

 inserted, and the names of Sir John Pcdder and Mr. Mac- 

 lean were also mentioned for the honour; but we believe 



