1876.] Repairs of the Society'' s Premises. 163 



would be desirable to carry out the changes proposed by the Committee ; 

 but before deciding to spend so much money upon the mere improvement of 

 the Society's premises, they feel themselves bound to refer the question for 

 the vote of the general body of Members. 



The Committee of Repairs have also recommended that one or two 

 shops should be erected in the vacant corner of the compound, at the junc- 

 tions of Park Street and Chowringhee. This could be done at a cost of 

 about Rupees 12,000, and as the site is a most favourable one for such a 

 purpose, there is little doubt that a regular income of between Es. 200 and 

 300 a month would be realised, (an offer of Es. 200 has already been 

 received,) and that the erection of the shops would be a highly advantage- 

 ous investment of part of the Society's caj)ital. 



If the shops were erected, there would be a reduction of about 

 Es. 1,000 from the cost of the boundary railing. 



The ground on which it is pro]Dosed to build the shops is quite useless 

 to the Society, except as a piece of garden, and it is so situated that it 

 could be cut off without any inconvenience, nor would the presence' of the 

 shops interfere in any way with the perfect privacy of the Society's pre- 

 mises. 



In this case also the Council feel that, although the proposed investment 

 would no doubt be advantageous, they cannot act without the consent of the 

 general body of Mem.bers, and they therefore propose .to circulate this 

 memorandum to all Members of the Society, for confii*mation of their 

 action with regard to the urgent repairs and alterations, and for their vote 

 with regard — 



I. To the erection of a dwarf wall and railings, and new servants' 

 houses in place of the present boundary wall and godowns, at the estimated 

 cost of Es. 6,167. 



II. To the investment of a portion of the Society's capital in the 

 erection of a shop or shops, on a waste part of the Society's compound, at 

 a cost of about Es. 12,000. 



These questions will be brought up for discussion at the November 

 Meeting. 



Should all these proposals be adopted, the total cost of the alterations 

 and repairs will be about Es. 33,000 ; but of this sum Es. 12,000 must be 

 looked upon in the light of a reproductive investment, so that the amount 

 actually sunk in repairs will be Es. 21,000, a sum well within that estima- 

 ted and allowed for the piirpose, when tlie question of the compensation to 

 be given by Government to the Society for its rooms in the New Museum 

 bviilding, was considered. 



Besides the above expense for repairs, there will be some further ex- 

 penditure, estimated at between Es. 5,000 and 6,000, for repairing the pic- 



