XXXn REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



Another effect of the war and the consequent great demand 

 that it has made, and is making, upon the monetary resources 

 of everyone, has been the suspension of contributions to the 

 Endowment Fund. This has been a serious blow to the 

 hopes of the Society. When peace is once more restored it is 

 trusted that there may be a renewal of the generous flow of 

 support which marked the early effort to establish this fund. 



The membership roll shows that during the year there has 

 been a loss owing to death and resignation of 17, while 9 new 

 members have joined the Society, bringing the total number on 

 June 30th to 404. 



Turning to the attendance, the record of the turnstile shows 

 that the admittances only totalled 12,821, including 1,877 

 children of the Newcastle Council Schools, as against 20,055 

 in the preceding year. Soldiers and sailors in uniform have 

 been admitted to the Museum free ; but while there is satis- 

 faction in this, there is less in the fact that the attendance 

 and support of the general public has fallen off to such a large 

 extent. Our experience, however, is far from unique, and is 

 amply accounted for by the general preoccupation caused by 

 the war. 



In last year's Report reference was made to certain repairs, 

 chiefly to the repointing of the outside of the Museum, which 

 appeared to call for attention. A careful inspection was again 

 made by Mr. J. J. Hill, F.S.A., and Mr. W. E. Beck, who 

 reported that in the face of financial difficulty these might be 

 deferred for the present, but that it was absolutely necessary 

 that the roof should be painted and all damaged glass 

 renewed. This work has been carried out by Mr. G. G. 

 Laidler. It was also found necessary to reset some of the 

 lead sheeting on the roof of the east corridor. As regards 

 the interior work of the Museum, there is much that your 

 Council would like to see put in hand, but they feel that, in 

 the present national difficulty, economy of expenditure must 

 be strictly exercised. The cases containing the valuable 

 collections of corals, sponges, sea-fans, etc. were, however, 



