2 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
Besides these formal papers, there have been short discussions 
on other subjects, and interesting specimens and apparatus have 
been from time to time exhibited. Two of the Sections—the 
Medical and the Microscopical—have kept up their meetings 
regularly, and have gone through a considerable amount of useful 
work. From the report of the Council just read you have learned 
that the Society has very nearly reached the maximum number of 
members allowed by the resolution passed about three years ago. 
The accessions last year more than balanced the defections by 
fourteen. The annual income keeps well up, being over £1,000, 
while the expenditure has been kept within the income by about 
£50. The debt on the building has been reduced by £400, and 
towards this Mr. Frederick Dangar gave the handsome donation 
of £50. The debt now stands at £1,100, and, although the 
interest upon this is by no means a heavy burden, yet it is 
desirable that it should be got rid of. The Society could make 
a better use of the money. For example, if we could afford to 
pay for the bringing out of the annual volume of “ Proceedings,” 
it could be placed much more promptly in the hands of the 
members. Our best thanks are due to the Government for their 
liberality in printing our volume, and the Government Printer 
turns it out in admirable style, but the exigencies of the Public 
Service stand in the way of a speedy execution of the work. 
We have algo to tender our thanks to the Government for the 
continuance of their annual contribution to our funds, in the pro- 
portion of one-half our subscriptions. It would be well, however, 
if we could do without this, and if the proper resources of the 
Society could be made sufficient for the whole of its expenditure. 
Three years ago the Society began to offer money-prizes for the 
best essays on prescribed subjects. These prizes are still offered, 
but they fail to bring the response that was expected. Only two 
have as yet been awarded. Last year nine essays were sent in, 
but, after careful scrutiny by all the members of the Council, none 
were considered to have sufficiently met the conditions. In 1882 
twenty-one essays were received. This year we add the temptation 
