PEESIDENT^S ADDEESS. 291 



morning was rainy and very unpromising, yet eight members and 

 friends assembled at the New Bridge Street Station, and left by 

 the 11.15 train. Several left the train at Seaton Delaval station, 

 and proceeded by Delaval Avenue and the Links to Blyth. The 

 rest travelled direct to Blyth, and after having with some diffi- 

 culty found a place where tea could be provided, crossed the 

 river Blyth in the ferry boat, and then rambled quietly along 

 the coast to Cambois Colliery. Here they were obligingly joined 

 by Mr. Thomas Forster, viewer of the colliery, who was fully 

 prepared to accompany any of the party who might wish to 

 descend the pit, and see the method of working coal. But it was 

 decided to avail ourselves of Mr. Eorster's kindness to see the 

 machinery and the method of hauling the coal to bank, and in 

 this manner a very pleasant hour was spent. Through Mr. 

 Forster's kindness the party were brought back to Blyth on one 

 of the colliery locomotives. They then viewed the operations of 

 the River Blyth Commissioners in the deepening of the channel, 

 with which they were much gratified. After tea, a hearty vote 

 of thanks was accorded to Mr. Porster for his kindness in making 

 the visit to Blyth and Cambois so agreeable. 



During the year the Club has lost by death one of its original 

 members, the Eev. John Frederick Bigge, M.A., Yicar of Stam- 

 fordham, Northumberland. He died, after a short illness, on 

 February 28th, 1885. He took an active part 'in the formation 

 of the Club, in the year 1846, and was one of its first Yice- 

 Presidents. The first Field Meeting of the Club was held at 

 OviQgham, on May 20th, 1846. At this time Mr. Bigge was 

 Yicar of Ovingham. He acted as guide to the Club on the occa- 

 sion, and was aided by his curate, the Eev. Walter Featherston- 

 haugh, now Eector of Edmondbyers. He was President of the 

 Club in the year 1847-48. The particular branch of Natural 

 History to which he devoted himself was Botany. He was a 

 member of the Sub-Committee of the Club for the preparation 

 and publication of the Catalogue of Botany. 



He contributed the following papers to the Club, and which 

 were pubKshed in the Transactions : — 



