CIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



meeting of all the local historical and military societies in Toronto, 

 called together in the old Fort, that Fort York and its precincts should 

 be placed in the charge of an " Independent Park Commission *' so that 

 its preservation as an historical memorial might be absolutely conserved. 

 It was however replied by the Governor General in Council, that the in- 

 completed negotiations with the council of the city of Toronto, prevented 

 this course being taken. 



Since then there has been constant strife to prevent its spoliation. 



Two attempts have been made during the past year to force a street 

 railway through it, but were frustrated. 



A special act of Parliament was promoted by the council of the 

 city to enter into it without any consideration for its restoration. 



By timely action, and with the aid of the local Toronto and the 

 county societies, the Bill was thrown out. 



The Militia Department and the Department of the Interior of the 

 Dominion are cordial in their disposition. This Society, acting as the 

 central representative of all the Historical Societies of Ontario is de- 

 termined that there shall be no further destructive delay on the part of 

 the city, but that the work of restoration must be proceeded with at 

 once. Fort York, in its main outlines, exists to-day largely as in 181G, 

 but sadly despoiled and wasted. It is not too late to restore it to its 

 original condition, in accordance with the ordnance plan in the Archives 

 of Canada, copies of which this Society has distributed to all the 

 affiliated societies. This historic landmark, still in the possession 

 of the Dominion, was the scene of the gallant defence of York in the 

 war of 1812, has been in continuous military occupation for over 100 

 years, and is the best example of the ancient stockaded fort extant on 

 this continent. * 



The annual meeting in 1907 was held July 18th-19th, at Kingston 

 in the buildings of Queen's University, which were generously placed 

 at our disposal. Addresses of welcome were given by Mayor Mowatt and 

 Vice-Principal Watson. The "Women's Art Association of Kingston had 

 collected and displayed on the walls of one of the class rooms a most 

 interesting series of views of Kingston of old, and portraits of many 

 early celebrities. In the reference library, Prof. Shortt had arranged a 

 number of old ma|)s and plans of the city and fortifications from 1812 

 to 1850. 



By the courtesy of the Council and the Board of Trade, the visitors 

 were taken an extended drive through the city, visiting the fortifications, 

 Fort Henry, the Royal Military College, and the surrounding country. 

 Lunch was served under the trees at an ideal spot in a valley where the 

 Rideau Caiial descends by the splendid flight of locks constructed by Col. 



