32 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 



increase in entrance fees have been caused no doubt by a greater 

 attendance of visitors during the holidays, and by attractions 

 of country people to the town on several occasions. The 

 general work of the Society has been carried on with the 

 strictest economy, so that the general expenditure has been in 

 most things considerably less than in the preceding year. 



Hancock Prize Award for 1898. — In answer to the adver- 

 tisements in the local newspapers Six Essays were sent in by 

 competitors for this year's prize. 



The Rev. Canon Tristram and the Rev. Canon Norman 

 were again requested to examine the Essays and award the 

 prize. The Examiners reported that the prize should be 

 awarded to Mr. F. W. Ritson's Essay " A Ramble in North- 

 West Durham " ; Mr. George T. Nicholson's Essay " An 

 Entomological Ramble in the District of Hexham," was 

 strongly recommended by the Examiners as a good second. 

 After assigning the first prize of Five Pounds to Mr. F. W. 

 Ritson, the Committee decided to present a prize of Two 

 Pounds to Mr. Nicholson, in accordance with the strong 

 recommendation by the Examiners of its merits. With the 

 approval of the Committee, Mr. Ritson made a selection of 

 Books on Scientific Subjects to the value of the first prize, and 

 Mr, Nicholson chose a number of Scientific Instruments or 

 Appliances. 



Joint Evening Meetings. — During the winter months Six 

 Evening Meetings were held conjointly with the members of 

 the Tyneside Naturalist Field Club. Although specially 

 interesting and important addresses were given, it is to be 

 regretted that so few of our members were present — the 

 maximum number attending never exceeding twenty-five. 

 The time of meeting was changed to the last Tuesday in each 

 month to avoid infringing on the days usually occupied by 

 meetings of other Societies. 



The first meeting was held on the 20th October, about 

 twenty members being present. The Mayor of Newcastle 

 kindly presided and inaugurated this first meeting. A paper 

 contributed by Mr. D. Woolacott, M. Sc., F.G.S., entitle^ 



