226 EEPOET OF THE COMMITTEE. 



The project of erecting a new building and in a new locality- 

 was originated by Mr. John Hancock, who had plans prepared 

 by Mr. John Wardle, after his own idea of how rooms for the 

 display of a Museum collection of Natural History should be 

 arranged. It was also Mr. Hancock's personal friends who ob- 

 tained the site and subscribed the large donations to the building 

 fund, and enabled the Committee to commence with the work, 

 which has been carried out under Mr. Hancock's personal and 

 constant superintendence. 



On the present occasion it is the duty and pleasure of the 

 Committee to be able to announce that this project then so much 

 needed and earnestly desired by all friends of the Society, has 

 been nearly brought to a completion through the most liberal 

 and generous assistance of some of the more wealthy friends of 

 the Society, and large and handsome donations from many of its 

 members. 



Plans and estimates for a New Building were brought before 

 the Committee on February 27th, 1879, by Mr. Hancock, who 

 also stated that he had been promised donations towards the 

 Building Fund, amounting to more than £18,000, from the fol- 

 lowing gentlemen, members of the Society : — 



Lord Armstrong, C.B. 



The late Colonel John Joicey, Newton Hall. 

 The late Edward Joicey, Esq., Whinney House. 

 Sir Lowthian Bell, Bart., Eounton Grange. 

 John Bogerson, Esq., Croxdale Hall. 

 Legacy by the late"W. C. Hewitson, Esq., Oatlands, 

 Surrey. 



The estimated cost of the site and building was as follows : — 



Site at St. James', Barras Bridge £6,500 



Enfranchising do. do. 2,000 



The lowest tender for building front and 



three large rooms (Mr. M. Reed's). . 19,458 



£27,958 



