29 



Mr. Troup, D.A.C.G., said the soil along the coast of Barcelona, as in 

 other parts of Spain, was very dry, and therefore in some degree perhaps 

 different from that in Tasmania. Still, he knew it was very barren and 

 useless, probably silicious and certainly not calcareous, or it would have 

 been turned to some profitable use. He therefore thought our waste 

 silicious lands would probably be very suitable for the Esparto. 



Mr. Davies thought it was the duty of the Society to make further 

 enquiries as to the product, the introduction of which might be of great 

 benefit to the colony. 



Mr. Gould agreed with Mr. Davies, and suggested that Mr. Barnard 

 should be requested to obtain further information on the subject, which 

 Mr. Barnard said he would be happy to do. 



Mr. W. L. Dobson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Krefft for the early 

 copy of his very interesting pamphlet, and to the gentlemen who had read 

 such interesting papers. 



Mr. Stephens seconded the motion which was carried : and the votes of 

 thanks conveyed to the gentlemen present by His Excellency. 



A vote of thanks was also accorded to the donors of presentations. 



PRESENTATION TO DR. AGNEW. 



His Excellency the Governor said : Gentlemen, the ordinary business 

 of the meeting being over, I am delighted to have the opportunity of 

 closing it in a manner as agreeable to myself, as I believe it will be to 

 every one present. I have been requested to convey to our Honorary 

 Secretary a small token of the approbation of the Fellows, of the ser- 

 vices which he has generally rendered to the society, and in recognition 

 of his constant attention and care since he first entered upon the duties 

 of the ofiice. (Cheers.) All that has been done, all the valuable statistics 

 that are laid upon the table every month, can only be collected, and 

 arranged by much labor, which occupies time, and time which is ex- 

 tremly valuable to a man so constantly occupied as the Hon. Secretary is 

 in the management of his own private affairs. Before Dr. Agnew under- 

 took the office of Secretary, I believe these duties were performed by a 

 paid officer, but that cost the society a very considerable amount, and our 

 funds becoming diminished, we should have been unable to go on, had not 

 Dr. Agnew come forward and undertaken the office. He had now per- 

 formed the duty of the secretaryship for a period of seven years without 

 remuneration, and it is known to all the Fellows, with how much care, 

 attention, and courtesy he has performed it. I believe he enjoys the 

 esteem and regard of all the members of the Society. I have much plea- 

 sure in handing to you. Dr. Agnew, a draft for £65, on behalf of the 

 Fellows of this society, with a request that you will purchase a piece of 

 plate, whatever you may like best, and that you will have engraved upon 

 it the following inscription: — "Presented by the Fellows of the Royal 

 Society of Tasmania, to James Wilson Agnew, Esq., M.D., as a token of 

 their regard, and a mark of their appreciation of the valuable services 

 rendered by him as Honorary Secretary of the Society. July, 1868. 



His Excellency handed the cheque to Dr. Agnew amid cheers. 



Dr. Agnew said : Your Excellency and Fellows of the Royal Society, — 

 Even had I been more used than I am to speak in public I could scarcely 

 have trusted myself to do so on such an occasion, and therefore hope you 

 will excuse me if I read the few words which I have to say. The com- 

 pliment which has just been conferred upon me is so great and so unex- 

 pected that I need not attempt to express the feelin<^s, partly of pride, 

 partly of misgiving which it has excited. To have gained the goodwill 

 or approbation of a large and intellectual portion of his fellow citizens 

 must be to anjone an unceasing source of satisfaction, and I can there- 

 fore truly say that nothing in public life has ever given me higher plea- 



