234 EEPOEX OP THE COMMITTEE. 



to become a place of resort for young and old, and the valuable 

 collections must afford information and instruction both to the 

 residents and visitors interested in the Natural History of the 

 district. 



CHARGE OF ADMISSION, ATTENDANCE, ETC. 



"With regard to the attendance of the public, it may be 

 mentioned that after the opening ceremony the Museum was 

 thrown open to the general public, and a large number of 

 visitors availed themselves of this opportunity of seeing the 

 Museum. During the following three weeks upwards of two 

 thousand persons visited the Museum. 



The charge for admission after the first three weeks till Easter 

 1885, was sixpence. At that time it was reduced to threepence 

 for adults and one penny for children. The attendance during 

 the Easter and Whitsuntide weeks of 1885 was very large, 

 upwards of three thousand persons, a large proportion of whom 

 were children. In 1886 the holiday attendance was not quite 

 so large as in the previous year. 



The Committee felt it their duty to invite the Children of 

 the Charitable Institutions of the neighbourhood to visit the 

 Museum free of charge, and all of these invitations were ac- 

 cepted, and the children have enjoyed an inspection of the 

 Museum collections on several occasions. The Children of the 

 various Bands of Mercy from the higher districts of the Tyne 

 have also, at the request of Capt. Coulson, enjoyed two visits to 

 the Museum. 



The lowering of the price of admission has reduced, though 

 not very materially, the annual receipts, but it has undoubtedly 

 enabled many to visit the Museum who otherwise would not 

 have been able to do so. 



GENERAL REMARKS AND SPECIAL DONATIONS, 



As a consequence of removal from the Old Museum the 

 Society has been compelled to sever its connection with the 

 Literary and Philosophical Society, with which it has been asso- 

 ciated from its commencement in 1829 till the present time, 



