546 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



continued to enjoy prosperity. The summer programme proved 

 successful, the excursions having been well attended. A dredg- 

 ing cruise was held in August, which, though favoured with 

 fine weather and otherwise successful, it is to be regretted 

 proved a serious monetary loss, owing to the attendance being 

 much less than was anticipated. The winter session was 

 well supported by papers of local interest ; an evening devoted to 

 the examination of microscopic objects proved highly popular. 

 The Committee, in order to bring more conveniently before 

 the members and the public the valuable papers which from 

 time to time have been published as appendices to the annual 

 Reports, ordered a limited number of the extra copies to be 

 bound, and these form a neat and desirable volume on local 

 subjects. The number of members on the roll is about the 

 same as last year. Among those removed by death the Com- 

 mittee regret to record the loss of Dr. S. M. Malcomson, one 

 of the most ardent and energetic members, and they also regret 

 to record the death of Dr. John Woods Beck, who, though 

 joining the Club in maturer years, took a deep and hearty 

 interest in its work. 



The next business of the evening was the election of Officers 

 for the ensuing year. The Chairman referred to the hearty 

 and genial interest which their President (Rev. Canon Grainger, 

 D.D.) had ever evinced in the Club's aims, and to the admir- 

 able way in which he had performed the presidential duties 

 during the past two years ; while regretting the loss of the 

 valued services of so tried a friend, he stated that in this instance 

 the parting was unavoidable, owing to what he termed a very 

 salutary rule of the Club prohibiting the offices of President 

 and Vice-President being held by the same person for a longer 

 term than two years. On taking leave of the President at the 

 close of his short term, this rule has often, as in the present case, 

 appeared to press harshly on kind associations and friendships. 

 It has, however, another aspect, in that it affords an oppor- 

 tunity to the members of honouring others who have loyally 

 worked for the Club's good. The Chairman then proposing 

 that Mr. Hugh Robinson, the Vice-President, be elected Pr^si- 



