184 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



entered into possession on January i, 191 1, the lease having been signed on 

 December 30. After several weeks it became apparent that the pending 

 revenue bond issue would not receive favorable consideration, and on 

 February 3 the executive committee, which had been duly empowered by 

 the Board to take charge of all matters relating to the transfer of the 

 museum, voted to proceed with the necessary repairs, using as much of 

 the budget appropriation as might remain after the necessary allotments 

 for salaries, rent, supplies, fuel and lighting, etc., and assuming the 

 remainder of the expense as a charge upon the Association. The con- 

 tracts were in every case awarded to the lowest bidder, and only absolutely 

 necessary work was performed. The aggregate cost was about $1,500. 

 The curator-in-chief was authorized to supervise the work under the 

 general direction of the committee. Repairs were begun on February 15 

 and completed during the first week in March. The transfer of the 

 museum occupied nearly six daysi and was completed on March 13. The 

 Board then appointed a special committee, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. 

 C. A. Ingalls, Mr. and Mrs. W. H, Mitchill, and Dr. and Mrs. J. Q. Adams, 

 to make arrangements for a celebration of the reopening of the museum. 

 This celebration, held on March 25, took the form of an afternoon recep- 

 tion, attended by about 150 persons. Informal exercises were held in the 

 assembly hall, addresses being made by Senator Howard R. Bayne, Dr. 

 W. T. Hornaday, Director of the Bronx Zoological Park, and Commis- 

 sioner Louis L. Tribus, of the Department of Public Works. In the 

 evening a highly successful dinner was given at Hugot's, attended by about 

 eighty members and friends of the Association. 



The guests were: Hon. George Cromwell, Professor Franklin W. 

 Hooper, Dr. Frederic A. Lucas, Dr. W. T. Hornaday, Mr. Edwin Mark- 

 ham, Mr. Sanderson Smith, and Rev. Charles Waldron. 



The following appointments to the enlarged museum staff were made: 

 Mr. Charles L. Pollard, curator-in-chief ; Mr. Howard H. Cleaves, assist- 

 ant curator; Miss Agnes L. Pollard, museum assistant; Mr. Alexander 

 Forsyth, janitor; Mr. D. M. Van Name, museum guard; and Mr. Law- 

 rence Liedy, night watchman. 



The hours during which the new museum should be open to the public 

 were fixed at 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. daily except Sundays, thus including all 

 holidays. The question of Sunday opening has been deferred for later 

 consideration. 



The Board tenders to the Association its congratulations on the greatly 

 increased facilities to the museum due to its being housed in a separate, 

 conveniently located and eaisily accessible building. All of which increased 

 advantages are reflected in a large increase in the number of visitors. 

 The exhibits are shown to much greater advantage as they are now 

 properly grouped in the separate rooms. 



The Association is also to be congratulated on its museum staff, every 

 member of which is efficient and loyal to the interests of the Association. 



J. Q. Adams, 

 Acting Secretary. 



