Annual Report. xxix 



Your Council had likewise committed to it the distribution of the 

 sum of six hundred pounds (£000) voted by the Legislature for 

 " Prize Essays," and the reports now given in Ly the Judges 

 appointed by your Council, and approved by the Government, will 

 demonstrate the care and diligence with which that delicate and 

 onerous duty has been performed. 



The Society has further been requested to furnish a report, for the 

 Imperial Government, "On the Fibrous Products of the Colony 

 capable of being made useful for Textile Fabrics." In reply to 

 which a valuble report has been fumislied, and laid on your table 

 at the last meeting. 



The ^Microscopical Section (D), and the Chemical Section (B), 

 have been declared established, and a temporary convener appointed 

 to officiate during the recess, until the formal appointment of the 

 usual officers in March, in accordaijce with Law LXIV. 



Your Council has had under coasideration the subject of an Indus- 

 trial Exhibition during 18G1, in anticipation of the one to be held 

 in the British INIetropolis, in 1862. And, wdth a view to the accom- 

 plishment of this object, a deputation, consisting of Dr. Fades and 

 Dr. Macadam, waited on the late Chief Secretary to urge the impor- 

 tance of the subject, and the sum of £6000 was promised to be placed 

 on the estimates for tliat purpose. The recent political changes have 

 interrupted the completion of these arrangements, but tliere can be 

 no doubt so important an object will not be overlooked by the pi-e- 

 sent Government, and, in the event of such arrangements being com- 

 pleted, your Council Avill be fully prepared to carry out the business 

 with promptitude and diligence, if entrusted with the details. 



It must be obvious that so- great a variety of laborious duties have 

 not been completed without much valuable time having been occu- 

 pied, as Avell as anxious thought bestowed on the several subjects 

 recpiiring investigation and administration. And, in concluding this 

 report, your Council would call especial attention to the want of com- 

 mittee rooms. Tliis deficiency has been a serious inconvenience dur- 

 ing the past year, and, in some instances, has impeded the progress of 

 business. It is therefore on public grounds that the assistance of the 

 Legislature and Government is sought to provide the recpusite accom- 

 modation for conducting inquiries and furnishing such information of 

 matters of interest to the general welfare of the empire as may be 

 required by the Imperial or Colonial CJovernments. These rooms will 

 also serve to accommodate the Sections, as by mutual arrangement 

 they can be made available for different meetings on the several days 

 of the weeL 



The claims of your Society might also be urged on the ground of 

 public econom)', as, by the duties gi-atuitously undertaken from time 

 to time by the various committees, much valuable public time is 

 saved and the public service advanced. Besides, the advantage to 

 the colony at large as well as the Government of having a public 



