TH[RTV-KIGHTII ANNUAL REPORT. 207 



to increase the annual grant to the Institute from $750 to $1,500, for 

 general purposes, and to enable us to give courses of public lectures 

 on scientific subjects, es})ecially in connection with industrial pursuits. 

 While gratefully acknowledging the increase of the grant to $1,000 

 for general purposes, the Council regrets that tlie Government did 

 not see tit to comply with the latter part of the application. 



In the same month the Archaeological Committee urged the Minis- 

 ter to make a yearly grant of $1,500 for Archaeological research in 

 Ontario, and the |)assing of an Act for the protection of Archaeologi- 

 cal remains founded upon Sir John Lubbock's "Ancient Monuments 

 Act of 1882." The Council again thankfully acknovvledge the liberal 

 gi-ant of $1,000 for this puipose, but regret that the heavy work fall- 

 ing upon the Minister this session in connection with educational 

 matters shoxild have made it impossible for him to bring in an Ancient 

 Monuments bill, which would have greatly enhanced the value of the 

 grant. It is hoped, howevei", that such an Act may become law in the 

 next session of the Legislature. 



In March a deputation waited on the Commissioner of Crown 

 Lands to urge the establishment of a large park reserve in the district 

 of Nipissing, for the protection of wild animals and of timber, and 

 were assured of the Minister's sympathy. An Act for this purpose 

 will, it is hoped, be the result of this application in the near future. 



In A2)ril a Committee urged upon the same Minister the {)ropriety 

 of some improved means of collecting informaticm on matters con- 

 nected with the mining interests of the Province, and received assur- 

 ances of co-operation. 



Another pleasing feature of this year's work is the partial comple- 

 tion of the Museum of Natural History and Ai-cha^ology in the third 

 story of our building, which will, it is confidently expected, enable 

 us, for some time at least, to properly accommodate our collections 

 and donations. In this direction the Council desires to acknowledge 

 the liberality of the Biological section in gua anteeing the interest for 

 two years on the $1,000 borrowed for this purpose. 



The Library has been increased by the addition of 124 volumes of 

 bound exchanges; but further shelf accommodation is urgently needed. 



While congratulating the Institute on the increase in membershi|), 

 in income and in activity, the Council feel that it is necessary to im- 

 press upon the members the fact that the current expenses are greatly 



