AUGUST, 1897. 



A meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania was held in the Art 

 Gallery of the Museum on Monday evening, August 2nd. Sir Lam- 

 bert Dobson presided, and there was a moderate attendanoe. A 

 number of apologies for unavoidable absence were reeeived. 



Mr. C. Cameron Swan was elected a member of the society. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



The following letter was read and referred to the Trustees of the 



Museum and Art Gallery : — 



" Cullenswood House," Cullenswood, 



July 26th, 1897. 

 The Secretary, Royal Society, 



Sir,— I beg to bring to your notice, and that of the Council generally, the advisa- 

 bility of the Royal Society taking some steps this session to have the duty on 

 " works of art " coming into this colony removed. The Society is the custodian of 

 the Art Gallery, and among its many useful functions is the stimulation and 

 encouragement of art, which fact seems to saddle it with some responsibility in the 

 matter of getting the duty removed. It is not too much to say that a tax, or duty, 

 on anything which is of educational value to a young community like ours, or which 

 tends to raise the standard of cultnre in the nation, cannot be too strongly con- 

 demned. Familiarity with art in its best forms effects a permanent influence for 

 good in the mind of a young generation, and the objectionable duty in question 

 strikes a fatal blow at that influence. Tasmania is the only colony in the Australian 

 group which taxes works of art, and this is a matter of universal reproach against 

 our community on the continent. The revenue gains but little from the duty, 

 which is a strong point in favour of its abolition or material reduction. I would 

 therefore suggest that a deputation from the Council be formed to wait, at an early 

 date, upon the Treasurer, and request the abolition of the duty either this year or 

 next. 



I have, etc., "W. V. LEGGE, Member of Council R.S. 



"Mr. T. Stephens said he had a pleasant duty to perform before 

 the business of the evening commenced. As that was the first 

 occasion upon which His Honor had presided since the title in con- 

 nection with the Jubilee celebrations had been conferred on him, he 

 desired, on behalf of the society, to congratulate him. Sir Lambero 

 did not require any flittering remarks from them. Everyone knew 

 his worth as a citizen and a Judge of the Supreme Court, and those 

 present knew the value of his services in connection with their 

 society. On behalf of the Royal Society he desired to congratulate 

 their chairman upon the marked honour which had been conferred 

 upon him. 



Several other members also congratulated the chairman upon the 

 recognition of his merits. 



Sir Lambert Dobson, who upon rising was received with applause, 

 thanked the society for its congratulations with regard to the marks 

 of distinction that Her Majesty had been pleased to confer upon him. 

 Be had always endeavoured to discharge his duty quietly and hum- 

 bly t and if his attempts had been so far successful that those who 

 were in a position to judge thought it right to confer the distinction 

 of K.C.M.G. upon him he felt proud of having his services so recog- 

 nised. It was a recognition of work done, and in the future he 

 would endeavour to discharge his duties es satisfactorily as in the 

 past. 



PAPER ON THE REFERENDUM. 

 Professor Jethro Brown, M.A., LL.D , read a paper entitled 

 "Some Historical Aspects of the Referendum." 



