SPRING MEETING. 241 



come from Dr. Eichard Pearce who has for a long time been so 

 closely connected with this Institution. It is our good fortune to 

 have Dr. Pearce with us to-day. To all those who have been for 

 a long time connected with the Institution, Dr. Pearce's name is 

 a household word. His gifts have not only been numerous but 

 valuable, and for the series of beautiful photographs which are 

 exhibited on the walls of this institution we are indebted to him. 

 He was one of the early professors of the first mining school 

 established in Cornwall which was so successfully carried on for 

 many years under the auspices of this Institution. 



The collections have continued to grow to such an extent that 

 the space previously available has proved entirely inadequate for 

 their proper exhibition. The Council has for a long time thought 

 that some steps should, if possible, be taken to provide more 

 accommodation. We have, adjoining, a room which, previous to 

 the erection of the Technical Schools, was used by students of 

 classes held in connection with this Institution as a chemical 

 laboratory. This, it was thought, with certain alterations, would 

 make an admirable room for exhibition purposes. After careful 

 consideration the work has been taken in hand. In order to pro- 

 vide for the better lighting of the room two additional windows 

 have been opened. Another matter which had to be considered 

 was the approach to this room which was formerly through a 

 dimly-lit room used for storage purposes. The walls of this room 

 have been taken down, thereby affording a better approach to the 

 different sections of the museum. It is hoped that these struc- 

 tural alterations will be complete within the coming month, after 

 which arrangements have been made for laying a mosaic floor in the 

 hall and corridor. The alterations, with which a number of 

 persons have already expressed themselves highly pleased, will 

 permit of a thorough and systematic re-arrangement and increased 

 development of our collections, and this, I am glad to say, is 

 receiving the serious consideration of the Council and the Curator. 

 AVe want to have our collections arranged and described to suit 

 modern requirements, so arranged that they may be understood 

 by the casual observer and of the greatest service to the student. 

 In order that this may be done arrangements have been made to 

 go carefully through all the collections, weeding out dilapidated 

 specimens, placing unnecessary duplicates in labelled drawers 



