544 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



some of a younger generation who are actively maintaining 

 the traditions of the past; and the credit of publishing the 

 results of their researches is such as is worth considerable 

 exertion to secure. 



For the Hancock Prize Competition of 1908 twelve essays 

 were sent in. The examiners were Dr. G. S. Brady and Prof. 

 A. Meek, with the assistance of Prof. Lebour in the case of 

 the geological essays. On their recommendation the prize was 

 awarded to Mr. Charles Robson, of Birtley, for his excellent 

 essay entitled " A Naturalist's Ramble in Mid-July." Mr. 

 Robson has been known for many years to the staff of the 

 museum as one of the best self-taught field naturalists in the 

 district ; with unusually wide general knowledge, he has made 

 a special study of the bees and wasps, and the local series of 

 these insects shown in the museum was a gift from him. The 

 examiners specially commended, in addition, the work of Mr. 

 Parlour of Croft, on the seeds of wayside plants ; and of the 

 geological essays, those by Mr. James Caygill (Consett) and 

 Mr. John Wood (Spittal, near Berwick) were mentioned as 

 particularly deserving of praise. A keen competition is hoped 

 for this year, as three additional prizes are offered ; the late 

 Mr. George Crawhall, shortly before his death, having provided 

 for the award in 1909 of a second prize of ^2, a third prize of 

 ^1, and a junior prize also of ^^i, the latter for candidates 

 under sixteen years of age. 



It may be remembered that after a period of decline, the 

 membership last year showed a rise of eleven. This year it 

 has to be reported that the ground thus recovered has un- 

 happily once more been lost. Only twenty-five new members 

 have joined the Society, whilst twenty-three members have 

 resigned, and twelve have been lost by death. The member- 

 ship at the end of the year stands at 410. It can hardly be 

 doubted that in a district such as that of Newcastle this 

 number might be considerably exceeded if the members 

 would make an earnest effort to induce their friends to join. 

 About seven years ago the membership had sunk to the 

 lowest point it has touched since the present museum was 



