PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 



H. Beaumont Small, M.D. 



(delivered 4rH dec, ISS-t.) 

 -Members of the Ottaica Field- XaturaUsts Club, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



It is a very great pleasure to nie to welcome you here this evening, 

 to inaugurate our sixth^series of winter meetings, more particularly as 

 the prospects of the Club are in no way dimmed, and the continued 

 success that attends our efforts is a subject for mutual congratulation. 

 It fias been the fate of many Natural History associations to have 

 commenced with equally bright prospects, to have flourished for a year 

 or two and then to have languished and died ft'om a lack of the energy 

 that brought tliem into existence. With our Club it has been different, 

 each year brings increased strength and each season's work attracts and 

 retains the interest of its members. The reason for this is obvious, 

 for we have a s[)ecial object in view and a congenial work to i^erform, 

 and as the knowledge of our local resources increases the desire to 

 augment that information becomes greater. 



Since my last address our society has become incorporated in 

 accordance with the Statutes of Ontaiio. In taking such a step the 

 Council has recognized the jirospects of our permanent existence and 

 made the foundation moie secure, but the main object in thus becom- 

 ing a legitimate j)rovincial organization was to pave the way for pro- 

 curing a Government grant. In this, however, we have not been 

 successful. Our a)jplication was a])paiently received with favoi-, the 

 Commissioner of Education was visited personally and acknowledged 

 the worthiness of our claim, but we have not received any substantial 

 response. Further attempts will be made this winter, let us hope with 

 better results. The grant of even a small sum would prove of ines- 

 timable value ; at present all our revenue has to be carefully expended 

 to provide for the neci ssary current expenses and many much needed 

 impi'ovements postponed for want of funds. Had we the required 

 means our usefulness would be much increased ; many schemes might 



■be'adoi)ted to stimulate members to greater activity, original research 



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