REPORT OP THE COUNCIL 2TT 



A valuable, though necessarily an occasional method of 

 stimulating interest in the Society and the Museum is the 

 holding of special gatherings of a social character, and in this 

 direction also the past year has been noteworthy. A very 

 successful and enjoyable conversazione was given in the 

 Museum by the President and the late Lady Joicey on the 

 evening of the 16th of February. Loan exhibits covering a 

 wide range of interests were shown on temporary tables down 

 the centre of the zoology room ; in the geology room two large 

 collections of objects were arranged by the museum staff to 

 illustrate the history of the Museum and some recent work 

 and acquisitions; the bird room was used for the reception 

 and for music, and the east corridor for refreshments ; and 

 tasteful decorations gave the rooms a festive air without 

 obscuring the collections. The Society is much indebted to 

 the President for this conversazione, as also to those who 

 contributed to its success by the loan of exhibits. 



The pleasure given by the conversazione has been some- 

 what marred in retrospect by the lamented death of Lady 

 Joicey. This was, in fact, the last public function at which 

 she appeared in the North, and she had taken the greatest 

 interest in all the preparations for it. Your Council, on behalf 

 of the Society, have given expression to their sense of the loss 

 they have suffered and of their sympathy with those who are 

 personally bereaved. 



Mr. N. H. Martin felt himself obliged by pressure of 

 other duties to resign the secretaryship at the beginning 

 of the year. His seven years' tenure of the office has 

 seen a striking improvement in the general position and 

 activities of the Society, and for this Mr. Martin's own 

 energy and enthusiasm have been largely responsible. The 

 Council feel themselves fortunate that they are able to retain 

 him as a vice-president and so continue to profit by his advice 

 and experience. Mr. J. Alaric Richardson has joined Mr. 

 C. E. Robson as co-secretary. 



Death has removed during the year the oldest servant of 

 the Society, the late Mr. Joseph Wright. At his retirement in 



