18 
The Reservoir, which was constructed at great expence 
some years since, is now found fully to answer the pur- 
poses intended. The Pine Plots in its vicinity, which add 
so much to its picturesque effect, have had some rare and 
valuable additions made to them in the course of the year. 
Cases of Plants have been introduced from England, 
Cape of Good Hope, Bourbon, China, Sydney, and New 
Zealand, &c. &c., and others despatched in exchange. 
Lists will be appended as usual, showing the names of 
contributors and recipients of Plants. 
The Council have again to express their thanks to 
Colonel Despard for kindly affording the services of the 
able Band of the 99th Regiment at the Gardens on Thursday 
afternoons during the summer. 
The removal of the Society's Museum and Library, and 
of the Meetings of the Members from the rooms now 
forming part of the suite occupied by the Legislative 
Council, and which had heretofore been afforded rent-free 
for the purposes of the Society to the Hall in Harrington- 
street, now held by the Members of the Council in trust for 
the Society under a lease of five years, has thrown upon its 
funds a heavy annual charge. The rent is £60 a-year, 
besides insurance and other costs, from which the occupa- 
tion of a public building formerly exempted the Institution ; 
and it is feared that the effect will be materially to hamper 
the Society's operations and impair its usefulness, unless, 
by accession of Members or more liberal support from 
public funds, an equivalent is provided for the disadvantage 
thus sustained. 
The accommodation which has been secured cannot long, 
however, prove adequate to the requirements of a Public 
Museum, and the Council deem it to be their duty earnestly 
and at once to invite the attention of Members, and of such 
