1864.] 



Proceedings oftlie Asiatic Society, 



483 



in the late Secretary's letter of the 18th June, 1862, the Council will 

 be prepared to make over to a Board of Trustees, to be incorporated 

 by an Act of the Legislature, the management, arrangement and 

 disposal of the collections, together with the right of free access to 

 those portions of the Society's premises which are now devoted to the 

 Museum, until such time as the new Museum Building shall be ready 

 for the reception of the collections. The constitution of the Board of 

 Trustees will therefore be a necessary preliminary to further steps in 

 the transfer. 



As, however, some delay must necessarily intervene previous to the 

 completion of the transfer, and as a similar delay must be incurred in 

 the selection and appointment of a qualified Curator to the Museum, 

 it appears highly desirable that the two measures should proceed 

 simultaneously in order that the Museum be placed as soon as may 

 be under the immediate charge of a paid officer. It has been long 

 felt that the extent and variety of the collections are such as to 

 render it impossible for one man to perform the necessary scientific 

 work in connection therewith, and at the same time to undertake 

 their preservation, the disposal and exchange of duplicates, &c, and to 

 carry on the business and mechanical duties of the Museum. 



The Society's collections are not indeed at present, of such extent 

 as to require the entire services of two specially educated Zoologists, 

 although such a contingency may be fairly contemplated at no distant 

 period. But the Council would strongly recommend that provision 

 be made for one head Curator or Museum Superintendent of high 

 scientific attainments, and for an Assistant Curator such as may be 

 obtained in this country or in Europe on a moderate salary. 



The Society is at present in receipt of a total sum of Es. 500 per 

 mensem from Government, for the support and preservation of the 

 Museum : this sum will lapse to Government with the transfer of the 

 Society's collection. Should His Excellency the Governor- General in 

 Council think it desirable to invite the Society's recommendations 

 with regard to the appointment of and pecuniary provision for a 

 Curator, I am desired to state that the Council will have much pleasure 

 in submitting its views for His Excellency's consideration. 



I have, &c, 

 (Sd.) H. F. Blaotoed, 



Secy.* Asiatic Society. 



J 



