REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 9 



Subscriptions to the Fund may be sent to the Honorary 

 Treasurer of the Society, or paid to Mr. Wright, at the 

 Museum, or at any of the local Banks. 



By order of the Committee, 



A. H. Dickinson,] Honorary 

 M. C. Potter, j Secretaries. 



In the beginning of May the architect suggested that the 

 time had arrived when the weather would allow some of the 

 work of repairs to be proceeded with, and the matter was 

 referred to the House Committee to report to the next 

 Committee Meeting on the plans prepared by Mr. Rich. 

 Three plans for altering the roof were submitted for the final 

 decision of the Committee, who unanimously agreed to adopt 

 the plan most strongly recommended by the architect. At 

 the same time Mr. Rich was empowered to obtain tenders 

 immediately that the work might be proceeded with at once, 

 and it is now in progress. 



On 9th February, 1898, a House and Finance Committee 

 was appointed, to which is now relegated the supervision of 

 the finances of the Society and the superintendence and care 

 of the buildings and library. 



Evening Meetings. — At the Committee Meeting in September 

 it was resolved that six evening meetings of the members and 

 associates should be held conjointly with the members of the 

 Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club on the third Monday of the 

 winter months, as in former years, when addresses in Natural 

 History subjects should be given, original papers read, and 

 subjects of interest exhibited. The first meeting was held on 

 Monday, October i8th, and was fairly well attended. The 

 two Prize Essays were read, and these formed the ground- 

 work for a lengthened and interesting discussion among those 

 present, affording a useful opportunity for an interchange of 

 opinions among the members and associates. 



At the second meeting November 15th, the Rev. Canon 

 Norman gave a graphic description of his recent visit and 

 residence in Madeira, and exhibited, with copious explana- 



