APPENDIX TO THE REPORT. 
A Special General Meeting of the Victoria Institute was held on 
Monday, January 24th, at 4 p.m., to consider certain alterations in 
the Constitution recommended by the Council. 
Lieut.-Col. MACKINLAY, who was in the Chair, in moving the 
adoption of the alterations on behalf of the Council, gave the 
following explanation of their purpose and effect. 
The Council consider, as mentioned at the last Annual Meeting, 
that it would be wise to follow the example of many of the leading 
Scientific Societies of retiring a third of their number each year, 
subject to re-election, thus introducing fresh blood, and keeping in 
closer touch with the members and associates. The necessary 
alterations of our Constitution and Bye-Laws are now proposed by 
the Council for the sanction of the Special General Meeting now 
assembled. 
It was stated at the last Annual Meeting that the Council 
contemplate holding the Annual Meeting at the beginning of the 
year instead of in May or in June, as has hitherto been the 
custom. The advantages of the new plan were mentioned at the 
Annual Meeting. According to §IV, Bye-Laws, 1, the Council 
may determine the most convenient day in the year, this change is 
therefore not alluded to in the proposed alterations, except that as 
the new § II. Constitution.—Rule 4.—December Ist, is mentioned as 
the limit of time for sending in the names of those nominated to 
serve on the Council; this day will be at a convenient interval 
before an Annual Meeting at the beginning of the year. The neat 
Annual Meeting will however be held in May next, but in 1911 and 
subsequently the intention is to hold the Annual Meeting at the 
beginning of the year. 
Advantage has been taken of the opportunity to make various 
minor alterations tending to simplification and also to sanction the 
practical arrangements of many years past. 
For instance, as all the Meetings for reading the papers are 
exactly alike, the term Intermediate Meeting has been given up. 
Unnecessary formalities connected with application for membership 
