645 



solution of their difficulties was the transfer of their books 

 to the Public Library, because the Society had neither 

 accommodation for the books nor a librarian to look after them. 



At this juncture the Government was approached with 

 a view to securing better accommodation for the Royal and 

 other local societies. The result was that additions were 

 made to the northern end of the Institute Building, and fine 

 premises were erected capable of comfortably accommodating 

 all affiliated Societies together with their respe-ctive libraries 

 and property. It was completed and suitably furnished in 

 1907, and the large western room on the ground floor, where 

 we now hold our meetings, was allocated by the Board for 

 the purposes of the Royal Society, a smaller room between 

 this and the York Gate Library being apportioned for the 

 common use of the two bodies. Under these greatly 

 improved conditions, it was at last possible to' introduce order, 

 where chaos had formerly prevailed. 



As the Geographical Society occupied the adjacent room, 

 it was at first thought that economy might be effected by the 

 two Societies sharing the services of a single librarian, who' 

 should also act as their common Secretary. Unfortunately 

 this scheme did not eventuate, and each Society subsequently 

 appointed its own officer. 



The Society is under a debt of gratitude to Sir Joseph 

 Veroo for the great personal interest he has displayed in the 

 reorganization of the library. Only those of us who remember 

 the old order (or disorder ?) of things, can fully appreciate 

 the nature of the change that has been effected during his 

 Presidency. 



In 1921, the following exchanges of publications were 

 made with learned societies in other countries : — United 

 Kingdom, 27; Continental Europe, 66; Canada, 4; South 

 Africa, 6; Sudan, 1; India and Ceylon, 6; United States, 

 50; Mexico, 2; Brazil, 1; Uruguay, 1; Peru, 1; Argentina, 

 1 ; Japan, 3 ; China, 1 ; Philippines, 1 ; Straits Settlements, 

 1 ; Java, 2 ; Hawaiian Islands, 2 ; Commonwealth of Australia 

 and New Zealand, 54. Total, 231. 



(e) Research and Endowment Fund. 



In 1903, the Society was incorporated, in order that it 

 might acquire and hold property. 



The chief object of this was to enable it to establish 

 an Endowment Fund, for the purpose of meeting special 

 liabilities and also for the promotion of scientific research. 

 Tlianks to the generosity of Sir Joseph Verco, the late 

 Thomas Scarf e, and the late R. Barr Smith, each of whom 

 donated the sum of XI, 000, this fund has now been in opera- 

 tion for some years. 



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