39° 



TlMEHRI. 



and I beg to record my thanks to our Secretaries, Mr. 

 L. M. Hill, and his successor Mr. Daly, to the Treasurer 

 Mr. Conyers, and to Messrs. Quelch and Rodway for their 

 cordial and valuable assistance to the President on all 

 occasions. 



On the ist January last, the members, associates, 

 and lady subscribers numbered 399 ; of these 52 have 

 ceased to belong to the Society, but we have added 

 122 names, so that the net increase in the Society's roll 

 is 70. Death has deprived us of six members and asso- 

 ciates. Messrs. G. A. Forshaw, E. E. H. Francis, D. C. 

 Cameron, Dalgleish, Garratt, and Stack. I shall not be 

 making an invidious distinction by saying that the three 

 first named were men valuable not only to the Society 

 but to the community at large, and whom it will be diffi- 

 cult to replace. Absence from the colony accounts for 

 the loss of other members and associates, many of whom 

 we hope to regain on their return. 



We have also to regret that Mr. Walker, resident 

 director in London, has resigned that office on account 

 of his age and failing health. Mr. Walker has been con- 

 nected so long with this Society, and has done us such 

 constant good service, that I am sure he will receive from 

 members an expression of hearty thanks for his assis- 

 tance, and of deep regret that the connection is severed. 



The funds of the Society will be reported on in due 

 time by our Treasurer — who will, I hope, be able to state 

 that they are in a sound condition. 



The average attendance at the ordinary meetings 

 has been 14 and a fraction. Although this may con- 

 trast favourably with former years, when a vigorous 

 " whip" was sometimes required to ensure a bare 



