Minutes of Proceedings. 419 



Although a complete description is reserved for the Annual Eeport 

 of next year, it may be permitted briefly to refer to the important 

 purchase recently made of a canoe found last summer in a bog at 

 Lurgan near Tuam, Co. Gal way. It measures 52 feet in length, and 

 its broadest beam is 4 feet. "Its condition," says Mr. Coffey, "is 

 very good for an object of this class, and it is probably the finest 

 specimen that has been found in Ireland." Its removal to the Museum 

 was a work of unusual difficulty, but it is satisfactoiy to be able to 

 state that it was accomplished without cutting or in any way injuring 

 the canoe. 



The Council regrets that the question as to the custody of the gold 

 ornaments found in 1896 near Limavady, has not yet been determined. 

 In accordance with a resolution of the Academy, passed on 22nd April, 

 1901, the Council prepared, and presented on 10th June, a full report of 

 the steps that it had taken up to that date with a view to securing the 

 return of these antiquities to Ireland. Since the presentation of that 

 report the Council was informed by a letter of 14th June, from Sii' D. 

 Harrel, that ' ' the matter has been referred to the Law Officers of England 

 and Ireland, in consultation, to consider whether any, and, if so, what 

 proceedings should be taken to determine the question in dispute." An 

 inquiry on the part of the Council, by a letter of the Secretary of 

 Council on 6th November, as to what steps had been taken since the 

 last communication, elicited the reply fi'om Sir D. Harrel on 3rd 

 December, that — " The Treasury report that legal proceedings are now 

 pending, with a view to the question being legally deteimined, whether 

 the articles in question are Treasui'e Trove," and that "the Treasuiy 

 have been asked to hasten the proceedings as much as possible." On 

 5th February the Secretary of Council wrote to Lord Desart, the 

 Solicitor of the Treasury, who has charge of the suit against the 

 British Museum, informing him. that "the Academy will be ready to 

 furnish him with any information " in their possession which he may 

 desire ; and received a reply, dated 6th February, conveying Lord 

 Desart's thanks for " offer of assistance, of which I shall gladly avail 

 myself should occasion arise." 



A further revision of the Academy's by-laws, " for simplifying the 

 method and defining the conditions of the election of President and 

 Council," having been recommended by a motion of 11th November, 



