Canary Societies, and Close and Open Shows. 397 



enable them to carry out the arrangements of the show in 

 an efficient ' and praiseworthy manner, by endeavouring to 

 raise funds, offering suggestions, and by deliberating carefully 

 and thoughtfully upon all matters submitted for their approval 

 or rejection, in the arrangement of a schedule of prizes, of a 

 code of regulations for exhibition, in fixing upon the place of 

 exhibition, in the appointment of judges, in directing the 

 various items of expenditure, such as printing, advertising, &c., 

 and in giving all the assistance they possibly can during the 

 exhibition by unpacking the birds, and classifying them, and 

 all other and similar duties, and by striving to do all in their 

 power to get the birds packed and despatched to their desti- 

 nations with as little delay as possible after the termination of 

 the show. Each member should strive against his neighbour 

 in endeavouring to set an example of cordiality, industry, and 

 cheerfulness ; for when men lose their temper at these times 

 it is greatly to be regretted. 



THE SECRETARY'S DUTIES. The duties of a secretary to 

 a show of any kind are laborious, and are not unfrequently 

 a self-imposed task. I can assure those who have never under- 

 taken such an office that it is by no means a sinecure, the 

 emoluments derived therefrom are nil, the work is most ar- 

 duous, and the thanks of the public and exhibitors are of the 

 most meagre description; but if the show is not skilfully 

 managed, and there are any hitches in the way, showers of 

 abuse will most likely pour in on all sides. It is, therefore, 

 by no means an enviable or thankful office, but somebody 

 must undertake it, or what would become of our favourita 

 hobby ? 



It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that a person, 

 to fill an appointment of this kind, will need to possess several 

 qualifications and some virtues, and be endowed with a good 

 " thick skin " beside. In addition to keeping a minute book, 

 in which all the business transactions of the society at each 

 meeting are to be duly recorded, the secretary will have to 

 keep a book containing a debtor and creditor account ; on the 

 debit side he will have to enter all sums x received on behalf of 

 the society from every source, and on the credit side he must 



