NATURAL HISTORY SOCIEIT 



OF 



NORTHUMBERLAND, DURHAM AND NEWCASTLE- 

 UPON-TYNE. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. 



FOR 19T7-1918. 



The outstcanding feature of the year under review is the great 

 increase in the number of visitors to the Hancock Museum. 

 The turnstile registered this number at 31,640, which com- 

 pares with 22,242 for the year 1917 and 17,613 for the year 

 1916, and constitutes a record since it was placed in the 

 entrance hall. While therefore the prosecution of the Great 

 War has demanded and claimed the time and energy, and 

 limited the work of those intent on the serious study of 

 natural history, it is pleasing to find that when opportunity 

 has occurred, such large numbers have found recreation and 

 instruction in visiting and inspecting the collections. Of these 

 visitors a large proportion have been soldiers and sailors, 

 convalescent from the local military hospitals or stationed in 

 the district, who have been admitted free. 



The membership has been well maintained, the total 

 number on the roll, including associates, being 389. The loyal 

 support given to your Council in these times of exceptional 

 difficulty gives them courage to continue their work. By 

 death and resignation there has been a loss of 21, while 12 

 new members and associates have been elected. Of those 

 whose death is deplored are His Grace the Duke of North- 

 umberland, a Vice-Pi"esident and Trustee who was elected 

 in 1899, and was ever interested in the affairs of the Society; 

 Sir Geo. Hare Philipson, another Vice-President, who joined in 

 1863, and whose genial help at the lectures given for children 

 over which he frequently presided will be missed ; one who will 



