1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 113 



consider this matter, and that the Council would then recommend the 

 adoption of the following resolution : — 



" That the office of President be declared to be vacant, inasmuch as 

 Dr. Oldham has declined to accept it or to assume its duties, after 

 having been duly elected thereto, and informed of that election." 



He would add that one great advantage to be gained by the Council 

 thus taking the initiative in the matter, would be the saving of time 

 which would result, because it would thus under the rules be unneces- 

 sary to make a reference back to the Council before a final decision 

 could be come to, as would otherwise have to be done. 



Dr. Oldham having received permission of the meeting to make 

 some remarks, proceeded to give notice. 



" That at the special general meeting on the first Wednesday in 

 May on the resolution of the Council just read being proposed, he 

 will move as an amendment, that the words commencing \ after he 

 had been duly elected &c.' to the end of the resolution, be omitted, 

 being inconsistent with the facts," 



Sir R. Temple asked of the Chairman whether this meeting was 

 competent to pass a vote confirming the election at the annual general 

 meeting. 



The Chairman replied that undoubtedly it was not so competent. 



Mr. E. C. Bayley then asked, whether a Committee elected by the 

 Society could not decide the question ' whether the irregularity which 

 had been committed, rendered the election void or voidable.' 



The Chairman replied that personally he entertained no doubt that 

 the election had not been rendered void or voidable, but that the 

 whole question might be discussed by the Society at the Special 

 General Meeting. 



Mr. Justice Norman remarked that such informalities of notice do 

 not invalidate parliamentary elections. 



Colonel R. Strachey then gave notice that at the Special General 

 Meeting of 6th May, he will move as an amendment to the resolution 

 of the Council — 



" That the informality in the publication of the notice of the last 

 Annual General Meeting of the Society is not of a nature to invalidate 

 the election of Dr. Oldham as President, and that he was therefore 

 duly elected and is the President of the Society." 



