1876.^ Bepairs, Sfc, of the Society^ s Premises. 203 



Messrs. Gribble and Waldie kindly undertook the office of Scrutineers 

 •and, after examination of the votes, rejDorted that, of 76 voters, all were in 

 favour of Proposition I ; and that there were 58 ia favour of Proposition II 

 and 18 against it. 



The Chaieman di'ew attention to rule 33 of the Society's Bye-laws, 

 and said that as the proposition was not one of alteration of the rules both 

 propositions were carried. 



Before and after the voting there was considerable discussion as to the 

 propriety and desirability of erecting shops, and also on the desirability of 

 giving an oj)portunity for the discussion, at a general meeting of the So- 

 ciety, of such questions as were then before the meeting, before circulating 

 them to the general body of members. It was felt that under the present 

 rules the Resident Members of the Society had no opportunity of discussing 

 proposals emanating from the Council, and the votes of the non-resident 

 members decided all such questions. It seemed therefore useless bringing 

 them before a meeting at all. 



In the course of the discussion, Mr. H. F. Blanpoed proposed the 

 following resolution : 



" That this meeting do not approve of the erection of shops on a portion 

 of the Society's compound, and recommend the Council not to act on the 

 power now vested in them by the general votes of the members." 



Mr. E. H. Wilson seconded the resolution. 



The Chaieman explained that the proposal for erecting the shops had 

 not originated with the Council, but as it was for the advantage 

 of the Society the Council had thought it desirable to place it before the 

 general body of members. It would not, however, be obligatory on the 

 Council to erect the shops in consequence of the vote. 



Dr. D. B. Smith then proposed the following amendment : 



" That the Council shall act in conformity with the powers vested in 

 them by the general vote of the Society if they consider it neces- 

 sary." 



After some further discussion, Mr. Blanford withdrew his motion on 

 the understanding that the question of the erection of the shojjs would 

 receive further consideration by the Council, and that they would not be 

 erected unless it was really necessary to increase the income of the Society 

 by that means. 



Dr. Smith thereu]ioii withdrew his amendment. 



The Chaieman then laid before the meeting the proposed alterations in 

 the Rules and commenced taking them one, by one with the object of 

 making a few verbal alterations that had been suggested by absent mem- 

 bers or might be suggested at the meeting. 



