Annual Meeting. 7 



inhabitants of the city a very much larger measure of assistance. 

 There were various duties devolving on the Society, such, for 

 instance, as the maintenance of the Museum and the diffusion of 

 general information with regard to scientific progress. No one 

 could be at all familiar with the character of museums in other 

 towns without feeling that they really required, not exactly to put 

 their house in order — a considerable part of it was already in 

 order — but undoubtedly they still wanted more means to further 

 improve the character of the Museum. That institution must 

 form a very interesting record of the conditions of nature and the 

 social state of the people in future times. It would undoubtedly 

 some day or other form the nucleus of a very large and important 

 museum, and if the specimens there were not taken proper care of 

 their loss would be irreparable. It would be quite impossible to 

 replace many of the existing specimens. He would like to direct 

 their attention to the fact that the Museum was threatened with 

 some damage owing to the erection of the municipal building on 

 the opposite side of the road. They all recognised the importance 

 of that institution, and wished it all success, but they trusted that 

 they would receive some compensation from the city for any 

 injury that the Museum might suffer by its construction. Another 

 matter he might refer to was the noise caused by passing vehicles 

 on the street. He thought that if wood pavement were laid down 

 it would do a great deal to do away with the present cause of 

 complaint. Personally he could only thank them for the honour 

 they had done him in electing him as their President, and for the 

 support they had given to him during his term of office. 



At a subsequent meeting of the Council Mr. W. H. F. Patterson 

 resigned his office as Hon, Treasurer, and Mr. John Horner, J.P. 

 was appointed to succeed him. Professor Symington, M.D.,F.R.S., 

 F.R.S.E., was re-elected President, and the following Vice-Presi- 

 dents were also chosen for another term : — Rev. Dr. Hamilton, 

 M.A., D.D., LL.D. (President of Queen's College), Sir R. L. 

 Patterson, D.L., J.P., F.L.S., Mr. W. Swanston, F.G.S., and Mi. 

 Robert M. Young, J. P., C.E. For the position of Hon. Librarian, 



