APPENDIX D LXXXI 



and other rooms, upstairs which will set free much space for displaying 

 our Canadian veins. 



During the last session of our provincial parliament, an amendment 

 was introduced into a bill for revising the charter of the City of Mont- 

 real, which, by ordering the removal of all buildings, within certain 

 limits, for the enlargement of the Bonsecours Market, involved the 

 destruction of the Château de Eamezay, as it is well within the area 

 mentioned. As this amendment passed the lower house without much 

 opposition, the Society felt it to be necessary to oppose its enactment 

 as far as the château was concerned. A deputation was therefore sent 

 to Quebec to present the case before the private bills coTumittee of 

 the Legislative Council. This presentation proved so eminently suc- 

 cessful, tthat a clause was inserted in the charter exempting the Château 

 de Eamezay from the proposed market extension. 



But the Society deeply regrets to- state that a spirit of vandalism 

 is abroad and that there are those who are filled with the desire to 

 tear down anything old and historic simply because it is old; and to 

 erect in its place some hideous modern monstrosity. 



The whole incident suggests action in the line of such a law as 

 is in force in many European countries, for the preservation of all 

 important historical monuments; making it a criminal offence to deface 

 or destroy any thing that may be declared to be of national interest. 

 This Society would ask the Koyal Society of Canada to take up this 

 naatter and have a bill presented to the proper legislative authorities 

 on the lines of the best European law on the subject; and this Society 

 pledges its active support in helping on the good work. If this be not 

 soon done few, if any, historical buildings will be left in this country 

 to save. 



The following are the officers of the Society for 1903 : 



President — Hon. Justice Baby. 



Vice-Presidents— E. Eoy, K.C.; Judge L. W. Sicotte; W. D. Light- 

 hall, F.E.S.C; Dr. Louis Laberge, and Chas. T. Hart. 



Hon. Treasurer — George Durnford. 



Hon. Curator — E. W. McLachlan. 



Hon. Eecording Secretary — C. A. Harwood. 



Hon. Corresponding Secretary — S. M. Bayles. 



Hon. Librarian — Gonzalve Desaulniers. 



Members of Council — P. 0. Tremblay, J. B. Vallée, James Eeid, 

 Lewis Skaife, Eugène Lafontaine, K.C.; Ludger Gravel, J. C. A. Heriot, 

 J.W. Domville, and G. N. Moncel. 



Proc. 1903. 6. 



