2 HENRY DEANE. 



criticise too severely the form of the matter presented to them, 

 when its subject has been dealt with previously, though perhaps 

 from other standpoints, by some of the most able scientific writers 

 in the English language. 

 Part I. — History of the Society during the past year : — 



During the past year the roll of members has undergone 

 considerable diminution. On the 30th April, 1897, it was four 

 hundred and fourteen, the number of new members elected is 

 twelve, while the loss by death (five), resignation or otherwise 

 (twenty-four), has amounted to twenty-nine, leaving a net loss of 

 seventeen. When it is considered that this means not only a 

 diminished income from subscriptions of <£27 6s., but that the 

 Government subsidy becomes reduced by exactly the same amount 

 it will be seen to be no trifling matter as affecting our financial 

 position. In addition to this the past year has been one of excep- 

 tionally heavy expense; not only has the Society had to bear the 

 first strain on its finances, due to the interest on the cost of alter- 

 ations to our building, the debt on which amounts to £1800, but 

 it was found desirable that on the occasion of the meeting in this 

 city of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of 

 Science, a conversazione should be held, involving of course a 

 heavy expenditure. Had it not been for the advent of the 

 Association the Council would probably have postponed the 

 holding of this important reunion till the following year. It is 

 evident that during the ensuing year the strictest economy will 

 have to be observed. Illustration is a serious item in the cost of 

 publishing the Society's journal, and in order to secure at the same 

 time both efficiency and economy, it is necessary that authors 

 should consult the editors before preparing their illustrations. 

 This requirement of our existing editorial regulations must in 

 view of the pressing necessity for economy be stringently 

 enforced in future. 



It must be a matter of surprise that a Society of this kind is 

 not more largely supported than is the case. It should be looked 

 upon as an honour and a privilege to be able to co-operate in the 



