Institution a lien on the property of an incorporate Society is not so 

 unreasonpble as it appears, if tlie property has been acquired by aid 

 rendered by the Institute. We are placed at a great disadvantage by 

 the present arrangements, and I would urge upon your Council the 

 desirableness of securing more equitable ones ; and I think you will 

 agree with me that £12 per annum is too large a contribution or share 

 of working expenses, and be it observed that the Society of Arts which 

 has the exclusive use of a room contributes only £5 per annum. More- 

 over, the lien on our property should be removed, and at once in view of 

 its greatly increased value in the form of surplus stock of our own publi- 

 cations, and of exchanges of publications of other Societies. 



It may now be asked — What benefits will the Institute derive from 

 us ? Most certainly it should not expect pecuniary ones ; and I dismiss 

 the question without argument as it is a universally conceded postulate 

 that it is the duty of the State to aid science. If permitted, I believe 

 that this Society would largsly benefit the Institute through itsMuseum. 

 And with this object in view your Council requested your Representative 

 Governor to move the Board of Governors to cause to have exhibited at 

 our monthly meetings all objects presented to or purchased for the 

 Museum during each preceding month. By this means it was thought 

 that our members would be gratified, and that the remarks elicited and 

 explanations offered would give publicity to the donations and thus serve 

 a good purpose. Moreover, by thus affording those likely to be most 

 interested an opportunity of examining the new acquisitions, the Society's 

 records would keep the memory of them alive, though the objects them- 

 selves had been consigned to oblivion in boxes and cellars, there to await 

 the advent of an enlightened Government before again seeing the light. 

 Though the Board concurred with the view of your Council, yet no 

 practical effect has up to the present time been given to the resolution : 

 there may be difficulties which we know not of, but if a Committee 

 were empowered to act all obstacles to the attainment of our object 

 might probably be removed. 



OUR PUBLIC MUSEUM. 



This reference to the Museum naturally leads me to speak of that 

 public institution. Not only is this Society through its representative at 

 the Board of Governors identified with the Museum, but it has been 



