19 



6ooo acres, which they are going to devote to a proper scheme 

 of afforestation. I do not know of looo acres elsewhere in 

 Scotland utilised for the same purpose by a local authority. In 

 the Board's general operations this year we have had certain 

 things to do because of the war. Whether they will be helpful 

 or not I do not know. We must judge by the results. We have 

 found that there was much to learn about the supply of pitwood, 

 and we were glad of the help of the practical forester as well as 

 the scientist. I hope we may very soon be able to publish a 

 report upon the whole investigation into that subject. I would, 

 however, like to say that I hope the growers of pitwood will 

 not all want to sell it at once. All the wood now growing in 

 Scotland will be required during the next two or three years, and 

 it would be a great misfortune if growers should lose any benefit 

 that there might be to them by a wise conservation in that 

 respect." 



The Chairman said : — " I am sure the meeting will join with 

 me in thanking Mr Sutherland for having come here to-day, and 

 for the extremely frank statement he has made to us on a subject 

 which we all appreciate so much." 



Motion to be Disposed of. 



Mr J. W. M'Hattie moved the following motion on behalf of 

 the Council : — 



"That Law XIV. as it at present stands be rescinded, and 

 that the following new Law be substituted for it, viz.: — 



"The affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a President, 

 five Vice-Presidents and twenty-five Councillors, with 

 Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor ; provided always that 

 nothing herein contained shall prevent the same person 

 being appointed both Secretary and Treasurer. The 

 President, one Senior Vice-President, five Senior 

 Councillors, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor shall 

 retire annually ; but the President, Secretary, Treasurer 

 and Auditor shall be eligible for re-election. The retiring 

 Vice-President or one of the retiring Councillors may be 

 elected as President, and one of the retiring Councillors 

 may be elected as Vice-President, but the retiring Vice- 

 President or retiring Councillors shall not be eligible for 

 re-election to the same office till after the expiry of one 



