OPENING ADDRESS. 



By Hon. L. J. Tweedie. 

 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



When Dr. Baxter invited me to deliver a short address at the 

 opening Winter course of this Society I readily assented, as I 

 understood from him that a set speech was not expected, but that 

 I was merely to make a few remarks in the nature of a 'curtain 

 raiser.' 



In common with many others of the Town folk I have been 

 greatly interested in this Society, and have watched with pleasure 

 itsgrowt'i and development, and alrhouffh circumstances have 

 prevented me from taking an active part in its work, and attend- 

 ing its meetings, I have in other ways endeavored to assist and 

 help it along since its formation in 1897. The membership at first 

 was small but gradually increased, and now numbers nearly one 

 hundred. The object of the Society is the study of nature, the 

 collecting of relics and information on the past history of the 

 Northern portion of this Province, comprising Restigouche, Glou- 

 cester, Northumberland anl Kent, the education of the youth — 

 implanting in their minds a love of nature and nature's works, 

 and also to encourage a greater knowledge of the resources and 

 possibilities of our own province. Lectures are given once a week, 

 and last year twice a week on Tuesdays, and Fridays. The aver- 

 age attendance at these lectures has been from 150 to 

 200. The building was erected at a cost of about $2500, and every- 

 thing connected therewith is owned by the Society, and is entire- 

 ly free from debt. The Association has exchanges with similar 

 Societies all over the world, and is in a most flourishing condition. 



As too often happens in starting a movement of this kind the 

 burden falls upon a few. In this particular instance the principal 

 burden bearers were Dr. Baxter, Col. Mackenzie, and Dr. Cox, 

 and these gentlemen deserve the highest credit for the zeal and 

 well directed efl'orts to which its success is largely due. 



I do not think that any of us know fully or appreciate the ex- 

 tent of Dr. Baxter's work. To him mainly is due the credit for 

 raising sufficient funds to erect this commodious building, and 

 collecting with the assistance of the other gentlemen so many 



