PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



Mom ^tDixm institute of Science. 



SESSIOJSI" OF 1891-2. 



Annual Business Meeting. 



Halifax, 9th November, 1891. 

 Prof. J. G. MacCiIreoor, Premlent, in the chair. 

 The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and approved. 



The President addressed the Institute as follows : — 



Gentlemen, — In opening the proceedings of the present session of tlie Institute, 

 the thirtieth, by a short review of the events of the year which has just ended, 

 I feel a profound regret, which I know you will all share, in the fact that it is 

 necessary to record the loss of one of our oldest members, Thomas Beamisli 

 A kins, D. C. L. , who died on the fith of May, 1891. Dr. Akins was born on 

 the 1st of February, 1809. From 1857 until his death he held the office of Com- 

 missioner of Public Records in Nova Scotia, an office which gave him excellent 

 opportunities of research in his favorite subject, Canadian and especially Nova 

 .Scotian History. His publications are all historical in character and will doubt- 

 less have been referred to and described in the Proceedings of our sister society, 

 the Nova Scotia Historical Society, of which he was one of the most active mem- 

 bers. Though he claimed no special knowledge of science, he was always interested 

 in its progress, and having tasted the pleasure of research himself he was especially 

 interested in tlie encouragement of scientific research among his young fellow 

 countrymen who had scientific tastes. It Mas that interest doubtless -which led 

 hitn to become a member of our Institute in 1873, and to continue a member 

 during the rest of his life ; and those of you who enjoyed the privilege of his 

 acquaintance, know well the stimulus which was communicated by his cheery 

 words and kindly encouragement. 



Although we have met with no other losses either through death or resignation, 



