10 



ensuing season, should even fall short of its amount for the 

 last, the balance already shown to exist in favour of the or- 

 dinary income, as compared with the ordinary expenditure, 

 will be amply sufficient to carry on the necessary operations 

 of the Society, and cover any contingencies which are likely 

 to arise. On a full and impartial review, therefore, of all these 

 facts and circumstances, the Council consider themselves 

 justified in expressing their conviction, that the financial af- 

 fairs of the Society were never in a more wholesome condi- 

 tion than at the present moment. At the same time, what- 

 ever prospective advance may take place in the amount of 

 available income, they take this opportunity of frankly re- 

 newing the pledge given in the last two Anniversary Reports, 

 " to reduce the ordinary Expenditure to the lowest possible 

 scale, consistent with the efficient carrying on of the Society's 

 objects." 



II. SCIENTIFIC ESTABLISHMENT. 



The Scientific Establishment, including whatever relates 

 to the Museum, Library and Publications of the Society, 

 has not perhaps received that degree of pecuniary patronage 

 during the past two seasons, to which its great importance 

 might be justly considered to entitle it under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, or which was bestowed on it in former years. 

 But, whilst they readily admit the obligations under .which 

 they lie, both by the Charter of Incorporation and the in- 

 trinsic value of this department itself, — so essential to the 

 dignity and respectability of the Society — to maintain the 

 Scientific Establishments on a liberal and effective footing, 

 the Council feel that any extraordinary outlay, whilst the 

 Collections remain in the present confined and inconvenient 

 premises, would be inexpedient, at least, if not an act of very 

 questionable utiUty. They have consequently confined their 

 attention chiefly to the maintenance of the different branches 

 of the Scientific department in their present efficient state ; 

 without, however, allowing the general principle above al- 

 luded to, to prevent the augmentation of the Museum and 



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