142 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1904 



was shown a large red gooseberry bush, which was known 

 to have borne fruit in 1826, when the late Mr Anthony 

 Oliver entered upon his duties there, and was believed to be 

 then upwards of thirty years old. It is still in good 

 bearing condition. Birds were not specially remarked 

 during the excursion, but i\Ir Oliver states that " he has 

 counted no less than fifty varieties within a radius of 

 one hundred yards from his house, while beyond that 

 radius he has noted other twenty varieties, not including 

 colonists." The thanks of the members were accorded to 

 him and to Mr John Wightman, gardener, for their kind 

 services to them during their visit. After more than an 

 hour's stroll about the grounds, the party retraced their 

 steps, and in brilliant sunshine returned to Whittingham. 

 At 5-30 they reassembled at the Castle Inn, where 



under the genial chairmanship of Eev. 

 Club Canon Walker they partook of an excellent 



Dinner. dinner, and duly honoured the customary 



toasts. A congratulatory telegram from the 

 President, Mr G. G. Butler, F.G.S., who was on a holiday 

 in the island of Mull, was received, expressing his regret 

 in being unable to be present, and conveying good wishes 

 for a successful outing. The Organizing Secretary intimated 

 a Nomination in favour of Mrs Burn Murdoch of St. Abb's, 

 Berwickshire, and called for any papers or exhibits iu 

 compliance with the notice given in the circular calling the 

 meeting. An ancient bayonet of the Georgian period, 

 discovered in the cellar beneath the Whittingham Pele- 

 tower, which had been visited earlier in the day, was 

 exhibited, as well as an Ammonite, dug out of a wall at 

 Eslington by the present gardener. 



