642 



of the natural history resoures of the State, and among other 

 things the finest Australian anthropological and ethnological 

 collection in the world. 



Even now the buildings are overcrowded, and there are 

 many important specimens which have to be stored until 

 space can be found for their exhibition. Tliere are also gaps 

 in the collection, some of which at this late period in our 

 history we cannot hope to fill, but there are likewise desiderata 

 which w^e still hope to receive from the hands of some diligent 

 and patriotic collector. 



At all times the most cordial relations have existed 

 between our Society and the scientific staff of the Museum. 

 They have, I believe, in every instance been amongst the most 

 honoured and respected members on our roll. Since 1884, 

 when the Museum first became an institution worthy of the 

 name, a representative of the Council has always been Chair- 

 man of its Committee, a position which Professor Howchin 

 has honourably discharged for the past twenty years. One 

 can have no hesitation in saying, that it is now fulfilling the 

 high scientific functions for which, it was established and 

 towards this success it would not be immodest for the Royal 

 Society to claim some degree of credit and responsibility. 



The passing of the Public Library Act of 1884 created 

 a somewhat curious situation, which at first appeared to 

 threaten the interests and stability of the Royal Society. 



This Act, which abolished the S.A. Institute and super- 

 seded it by a Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery, 

 renewed the privilege of the Society to elect a representative 

 Governor on the Board, but unfortunately it did not make 

 provision for the incorporation or affiliation of societies. 



Without such provision the alarming fact became dis- 

 closed, that the Government grant which the Society had now 

 enjoyed for several years had quite suddenly lapsed, and the 

 Society had therefore incurred liabilities during its financial 

 year which there might be no means of meeting. 



It was a very anxious and perturbed Council that opened 

 up a correspondence with the Board on this all-vital question 

 in August of 1884. In reply to their inquiry as to how the 

 position of the Society and the Government subsidy would be 

 affected by the new Act, they were informed that the Act had 

 put an end to the S.A. Institute in the previous June, and, 

 of course, at the same time to the incorporation with it of 

 the Royal Society. Further, that the Estimates for the 

 current year provided grants to country and suburban insti- 

 tutes and also to affiliated societies; that as it might not be 

 advisable to alter the wording of the line on the Estimates, 

 the safest course for the Board to pursue would be for it to 



