Annual Meeting. 41 



agreed in thinking that never had such an honour been better 

 deserved. This was not only their opinion but that of the people 

 of Belfast generally. The report very justly referred to the retire- 

 ment of Mr. Stewart and to the eminent services which he had 

 rendered to his country as a botanist. Every member of the 

 Society would regret his retirement, but Mr. Stewart could rest 

 assured that he carried with him the best wishes of all of them. 

 He did not think it would be right if some one did not also make 

 reference to the excellent work which had for so long been accom- 

 plished by their esteemed honorary secretary. Had it not been 

 for Mr. R. M. Young the Society would not have succeeded in the 

 way it had done, and he hoped the time would soon come when 

 they would recognise his services in some worthy and tangible 

 manner. 



Mr. Gray suggested that the words " with one dissentient " 

 should be omitted from the paragraph referring to the passing of 

 the resolution offering the collection to the care of the municipal 

 authorities. The words he referred to were misleading, and quite 

 unnecessary. As the resolution was not passed unanimously, it 

 would be sufficient to report that it was " passed." The number 

 for or against should not be quoted, unless a poll were taken, 

 particularly in a case like this, when only a portion of those 

 present voted, and some of us who voted for the overture did not 

 agree as to the conditions attached. 



The motion was carried. 



Mr. Gray proposed the re-election of the following five members 

 of the Council : — Professor Gregg Wilson, Professor W. B. 

 Morton ; Messrs. J. H. Davies, John Horner, and Robert 

 Young. 



Mr. Gray said that the proposed transfer of the Museum 

 collection to the municipal authorities will involve the considera- 

 tion of serious questions as to the future of the Society, and he 

 hoped the Committee will be able to make the transfer in 

 accordance with the wishes of the present shareholders, and the 

 traditions of the past. 



Mr. Braithwaite seconded the motion, which was passed. 



