X. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



81 From the Balance-sheet submitted this evening it will be seen 

 that a large proportion of our limited income continues to be 

 spent upon the Society's Library, the Council rightly regards the 

 up-keep of the Library as of the utmost importance ; a good 

 collection of current Scientific literature is one of the greatest 

 necessaries of a Society of this kind ; it is, in fact, absolutely 

 essential for its work and well being, fortunately some 421 

 Societies and Institutions, in all parts of the world, regularly 

 forward their publications in exchange for our Annual Volumes 

 these, during the past year, amounted to 2,240 publications of 

 various kinds, but we still are much in need of funds to acquire 

 the back numbers of many Scientific Series, some of these are 

 getting very scarce and the prices will soon become prohibitive. 

 Especially now that so many large libraries are being formed in 

 America and elsewhere by wealthy benefactors. Perhaps some- 

 one in New South Wales will follow so good an example and 

 earn the thanks of the present and future generations." 



During the past year the Society had held eight meetings, at 

 which 21 papers had been read. The average attendance of 

 members was 35, and of visitors three. A course of five lectures 

 had been delivered, which was well attended, and a similar course 

 had been arranged for in the ensuing year. At a meeting held 

 in December the rules of the Society were revised and amended. 

 It was a matter for regret that nearly all the sections had ceased 

 to meet, but the engineering section had continued to do good 

 work, and it was hoped that some of the other sections would be 

 revived and would renew their careers of usefulness. He was, 

 however, glad to be able to announce that a section for Economic 

 Science was about to be formed. The number of members on the 

 roll on April 30, 1901, was 368. During the year 16 new 

 members were elected, 8 died, and 10 resigned. The membership 

 at present was the smallest that had been recorded since 1885. 

 This decrease was a matter of some concern, and deserved serious 

 consideration. It might be accounted for in part by the State 

 not yet having recovered from the effects of the commercial 



