FORTV-SIXTH ANNUM. REPORT. 



^fatemen^ of j^roceeiingg. 



The Committee have jileasure in submitting the Forty-Sixth 

 Annual Report of the Society. Tlie Membership of tlie Society is 

 well maintained, the number of Ordinary Mernbers being 256, and 

 the number of tickets issued to Members for use in their liouseholds 

 276. These numbers could have been increased had the accom- 

 modation of the Society's hall permitted, several applications for 

 Membershii) having been refused. The Weekl)- Meetings of the 

 Society were all well attended and the general interest taken in the 

 Lectures testify to their popularity and their need in the Social life 

 of the town. 



The Committee regret that the programme of lectures as 

 originally announced could nor be carried out. Mr. A\'alter Kirton, 

 still detained in China, had to abandon his intention of lecturing, 

 but a substitute was found in Mr. Jaakoff Prelooker, who lectured 

 on "Old and New Russia." Dr. Robert Caird, who had consented 

 to deliver the Watt Anniversary Lecture on iSth January was com- 

 pelled by reason of his health to go abroad for a time, and asked the 

 Committee to [)Ostpone the delivery of his lecture to a later period. 

 On his return he found himself still unable to undertake the duty 

 and begged to be relieved for this year. This, your Committee, 

 while regretting the cause, had reluctantly to do. They were 

 fortunate however in securing as lecturer for the date left vacant 

 by Dr. Caird's absence, Mr. William Auld, an old and valued 

 Member of the Society, who lectured with much acceptance on 

 "Greenock and its Early Social Environment." I'he Committee 

 are deeply grateful to Mr. Auld for, at short notice, filling the 

 breach and the Society is indebted to him for a most interesting 

 and valuable contribution to the history of our town. 



1906. 

 Nov. 2.— Opening Lecture— '-///f Uses of Poclry"' By W. AL\cneii, 

 Dixon, Litt.U., M.A., Professor of English Literature in 

 Glasgow University. 



