2 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 



income does not allow them to subscribe the full amount paid 

 by ordinary members, and children of members under 21 

 years of age, and who are more or less interested or practically 

 engaged in some Natural History pursuits. The alteration of 

 the Rules was proposed and carried at a Special General 

 Meeting held in March, 1897, and was confirmed at the last 

 Annual Meeting of the Society. Under the new rules twenty- 

 one Associates have been elected. 



Hancock Prize for 1897. — In response to advertisements 

 in the local newspapers six Essays were sent in before 

 July 31st, 1897. By resolution of the Committee the Rev. 

 Canon Tristram and the Rev. Canon Norman were appointed 

 examiners to award the prize. The examiners decided that 

 the prize of Five Pounds value should be awarded to Mr. 

 Robert Wm. Ellison for his essay on a " Ramble over 

 Prestwick Car." The Rev. Canon Norman very kindly gave 

 an additional prize of j[^\ to Miss E. Spencer Hick for her 

 essay entitled " A Ramble in the Isle of Lindisfarne," which 

 was considered by the examiners as second in merit. Mr. 

 Ellison chose a Camera of the value of the prize gained, in 

 accordance with the rules for the administration of the Prize. 



Repair of the Museum Building and Roof. — For many 

 years it has gradually become known to the Committee, from 

 the information of officers, and others who have been engaged 

 in almost yearly repairs to the roof, that some extensive work 

 would sooner or later have to be done to secure the building 

 and the collections from serious and irreparable damage. 

 As it was found that the constant repairs required to be done 

 after almost every gale of wind were not sufficient to remove 

 the dangers threatening the whole roof, the Committee 

 resolved to ask Mr. Rich to give a full and exhaustive report 

 on the state of the whole of the roof and other parts of the 

 building and the work necessary to be done to protect the 

 building from more serious injury. After a full and careful 

 examination of the roof and other parts of the Museum 

 Building, Mr. Rich presented the following report for the con- 

 sideration of the Committee, 



