PROCEEDINGS FOE 1891. • LI 



XV. — From The Canadian Institute, through Mr. Alan Macdougall, M. Can. Soc. C.E., M. Inst. C.E. 



The Canadian Institute has completed its 42nd year ; the interest in the work of the Institute 

 increases, the meetings are well attended, the supply of papers well maintained with a marked growth 

 of original investigation. The session extends from November to May. There were 24 meetings of 

 the Institute and 24 of the sections, at which 58 papers, altogether, were read. A list of these 

 with the author's names and also a list classified under their subjects will be found in the appendix. 



The membership increases, although the gross number of members is the same as it was two years 

 ago; this is due to the rigid enforcement by the Council of the regulations referring to nonpayment 

 of fees. There are 254 members and 17 associates ; 37 new members were elected ; the losses by death, 

 resignations and erased names amount to 28. 



The income from all sources was §2,771.45, the expenditure $2,060.72, leaving a balance in favour 

 of the Institute of $710.73. In addition to this the Institute received from the provincial government 

 $1,000, for archîEological purposes. 



The assets, which include the lot, buildings, library, museum, are valued at $29,000, the liabili- 

 ties are two mortgages amounting to $4,000, leaving a balance in favour of the Institute of $25,000. 



The Institute has watched closely the steps taken to extend the use of the cosmic system of time 

 reckoning. Noticing that the circulars of Lord Knutsford of date 26th July and 21et November, 

 1890, were addressed only to the colonics and dependencies of the British Empire, it dii-ected the 

 attention of His Excellency the Governor-General to this, and respectful!}^ submitted that he direct 

 the attention of foreign governments to this imjjortant movement, which he agreed to do. 



A mining convention was held in Toronto on the 31st March and two succeeding days, at the invi- 

 tation of the Institute ; there was a full attendance of persons interested in mining matters. The 

 convention adopted the resolutions submitted by the Institute relating to the establishment of a 

 Provincial Mineralogical Museum, of a properly equipped school of mines, and the appointment of a 

 departmental head for mining matters. 



The convention before it separated had several interviews with the government of the province 

 of Ontario, and was instrumental in obtaining the passage of an act regulating mining in this pro- 

 vince. 



The Institute desires to draw attention to the great importance of prosecuting historical research. 

 During the past year, papers of considerable interest and value have been read before the Institute. 

 Special mention may be made of contributions on this subject, by Messrs. D. B. Eead, Q. C. ; W. 

 Houston, M. A. ; J. C. Hamilton, LL.B. ; W. Cannitf, M.D., M.E.C.S. ; Capt. E. Cruikshank ; J. D. 

 Eidout, Esq. ; D. Boyle, Esq. ; Miss Carnochan, and by Lt. Cols. E. Z. Rogers and G. T. Denison and 

 Capt. Cruikshank before the Canadian Military Institute ; also to the lately published work on his- 

 torical documents by Mr. W. Houston. 



A deputation from the historical section had an interview with the government and at the 

 request of Honourable Attorney General Mowat, the Institute prepared and presented a memorial on 

 '• historical documents deserving the attention of the administration of the province of Ontario with a 

 " view to their publication " which it has strong hopes to believe will be favourably considered by the 

 government. 



If the co-operation of our kindred societies in the vai-ious provinces can be enlisted in this impor- 

 tant subject, a large number of valuable documents will be spared to the country and material pre- . 

 served which will be of inestimable value to future students and historians ; concerted action by the 

 Eoyal Society and those societies affiliated to it will materially influence the several provincial 

 governments to grant aid for this purpose. 



A growing interest has been awakened in archaaological work by the publication of the curator's 

 reports, which have appeared as appendixes to that of the Honourable Minister of Education. A 

 large number of presents have been received and many interesting collections purchased. The 



