PEOCEEDIlSrGS FOE 1887. XXVII 



called to superintenc], and the wisdom of the choice made in him by the Government, it congratulates 

 the Professor upon this recognition of his abilities and zeal in the public service, and respectfully 

 tenders to him a life membership in the Society." 



Officei's for the current year were elected as follows : — 



President James Fletcher, Ottawa, Ont. 



Vice-President Eev. C. J. S. Bethune, Port Hope, Ont. 



Secretary Treasurer E. Baynes Eeed, London, Ont. 



f W. H. Hari'ington, Ottawa. 

 j Eev. T. "W. Fyles, Quebec. 



Council < J. Alston Motîatt, Hamilton. 



G. J. Bowles, Montreal. 

 J. M. Denton, London. 



I 



VII. — From The Geographical Society of Quebec, through Col. Ehodes. 



I have the honor to report that during the past year the Geographical Society has made a special 

 study of the ice question in its effects upon that part of the St. Lawrence situated between the ports 

 of Quebec and Montreal. The Society on this subject has ch-culated a good deal of information, based 

 upon well known facts and reliable statements. The general results of these deliberations lead to a 

 conviction that the great water courses of the Dominion are susceptible of vast imjjrovement, almost 

 equal to the remarkable changes in land travel, since the establishment of the railway system. 



The great rivers, require to be cleared, so far as it is practicable, of floating substances, so that 

 such obstructions may not jam, sink, and prevent their waters from dischai-ging themselves into the 

 the lower levels, causing impediments which directly lead to inundations and an immense destruction 

 of river property. 



At Quebec, tht fca-ry boats have successful!}^ kept the river in an open and flowing state, thus 

 giving to that port perfectly navigable waters in the month of April, and enabling schooners and 

 market boats to attend the eastern markets. 



The Society is of opinion, that the policy of the Dominion with i-egard to this gi-eat question of 

 drainage — instead of being passive and defensive, and treating the subject as a visitation of Provi- 

 dence — ought to be active, vigorous and courageous. There are men of genius who possess enough 

 personal courage to cope wiih this difficulty, and who are, no doubt, ready to render such a public 

 service ; but any surface drainage must be commenced at Quebec, the outfall properly secured, and 

 the advantage thus established carefully followed up the river, until the great water basins are 

 reached, thus allowing a ready and easy flow of the imjirisoned waters and allbrding a climatic gain 

 to the Dominion as as whole. 



VIII. — From The Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal, through Mr. W. D. Liohthat.l. 



The Antiquarian Society during the past j^ear has continued the pleasant practice of holding its 

 meetings at the houses of members, and the following papers have been read : — 



Jan. 18. An Old Oak Chest, with notes on the family to whom it belonged, by Mr. Eoswell 

 Lyman. (This chest, formerly the property of the Stiles family of Connecticut, is now in the 

 possession of Mr. Henry Lyman, of Montreal. It left England in 1635.) 



The Opening of the Papineau Eoad in 1810; and a note on the Jessup family of Jessup's Town, 

 now Preseott, by Major L. A. Huguet-Latour. 



