REPORT OF THK COUNCIL V 



which he was always ready and generous to help. The Rev. 

 W. McLean Brown, an honorary secretary of the Tyneside 

 Naturahsts' Field Club, who on its amalgamation with the 

 Natural History Society, was elected on the Council. Mr. 

 Brown was an excellent botanist and lectured frequently to the 

 members. Dr. C. S. Gibb, a member since 1862. The Right 

 Hon. Viscount Ridley, a Vice-President and Trustee, who 

 was actively interested in the work of the Society, especially 

 the section of botany. Mr. John Hancock, nephew of the 

 eminent naturalist. The Hon. Sidney Joicey, son of the 

 President, who was killed in France. Mr. R. OHver Heslop, 

 a well-known writer on local history and folk lore ; and others. 



Vol. IV. Part n. of the Transactions is now in the press and 

 will be issued shortly. The work of the Card Index, owing to 

 pre-occupation in other directions, has only made slow pro- 

 gress. Help in this somewhat laborious and tedious work 

 would be welcomed. 



As regards the Accounts and Balance Sheet, the cost of 

 upkeep has been greater owing to advance in prices; but 

 thanks to the support of the members, to the yield which is 

 derived from the Endowment Fund and to certain economies, 

 the Council have been enabled to meet expenses. 



Lastly, in the continued absence of the Curator, it is with 

 pleasure that the Council acknowledge the valuable work of 

 Mr. H. Fletcher and the other members of the Museum stafif. 



It is with much regret that the Council learn since the 

 aforegoing was written, of the death of Mr. N. H. Martin, a 

 Vice-President of the Society. He became a member in 1882, 

 and entered whole-heartedly into the duties of Hon. Sec, 

 which office he occupied from 1902 to 1910. Mr. Martin was 

 keenly interested in scientific work and enlisted the support 

 of his friends in this direction, largely increasing the member- 

 ship : it was owing to his foresight, personal effort and 

 liberality, that the Endowment Fund was started. His loss 

 is also a serious one to the Society. 



