11 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



The roll of members shews that during the year there has 

 been a loss owing to death and resignation of 25 : on the other 

 hand 14 new members have been elected. The total number 

 of members and associates is 396. The generous and loyal 

 support of these subscribers has enabled the Council to con- 

 tinue the work of the Society during this trying and eventful 

 year. 



The register shews that 17,613 visitors passed through the 

 turnstile during the twelve months under review, which com- 

 pares with 12,821 for 1 9 14-19 1 5. This includes 1,175 

 children from the Newcastle Council Schools. The increase 

 in numbers is due to the fact that soldiers and sailors in 

 uniform were admitted free to the Museum, and the Council 

 are gratified that so many have taken advantage of this 

 privilege, spending many hours usefully and happily in the 

 inspection of the collections and extending their knowledge 

 of natural history. It is hoped that such interest will induce 

 some of them to become earnest students of nature. The 

 attendance of the general public has been somewhat better, 

 although the support from this source falls short of the average 

 of former years and leaves much to be desired. 



Reference was made above to the attendance of children 

 from the Council Schools, who were admitted under an 

 arrangement made four years ago. Those who came were 

 almost entirely from Rutherford College. The Council regret 

 that more did not attend, but realise that it has been a 

 difficult year to plan school work owing to the enlistment 

 of teachers. It is desirable that when normal conditions again 

 obtain, more observant and systematised visits should be paid to 

 the Museum. Boys from the Newcastle Royal Grammar School 

 have come regularly : for them a course of instructive talks was 

 prepared and given. Many of these boys shew interest and 

 aptitude, and it is an earnest wish that these talks may help 

 to direct and develop a taste for scientific study. 



It has fortunately not been found necessary to expend much 

 on repairs. Owing to labour difficulty and high cost of 



