MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 407 
Twenty-three new members have been elected during the past year, 
but as the same number have been lost—by death (7); resignation (9) ; 
non payment of subscription for two successive years (7); the roll 
remains at 304. Itis pleasing to state that the Institute still retains 
its place at the head of the affiliated societies, so far as regards the 
number of its membership. The total revenue paid into the general 
account (excluding a sum of £2500 transferred from the Costley fund) 
has been £687 ls. 6d., as against £422 9s. 3d. received during 1883- 
1884. The members’ subscriptions have yielded £297 3s., an amount 
slightly in excess of that to hand during the previous twelve months. 
The total expenditure has been £708 16s. 4d., leaving a balance of £21 
14s, 10d. due to the Bank of New Zealand. 
Costley Bequest.—The council have to state that the executors 
have paid the sum of £12,016 Is 10d. to the three gentlemen appointed 
to receive the bequest, on behalf of the Institute. This amount has 
been disposed of in the following manner :—£7000 have been invested in 
mortgage on good freehold security, £473 have been expended in the 
erection of new fittings in the Museum, as detailed elsewhere, and 
£2500 have been applied to the purchase of the freehold property 
adjoining the Museum, with the view of providing for its future enlarge- 
ment. The counsil feel sure that this purchase will have the general 
approval of the members. The balance of £2000 is: now waiting 
suitable investment. 
Museum Endowment.—Small portions of the landed endowment of 
the Museum have been sold by the Waste Lands Board, and it is under- 
stood that other sales will be made from time to time, as opportunities 
occur. The amount realized is £899 18s. 3d. This sum has been lately 
paid to the three trustees appointed under the Auckland Museum 
Endowment Act, and will be invested by them at an early date. 
Meetings.—Six meetings have been held during the year, at which 
20 papers have been read. 
Museum.—The number of visitors to the Museum continues to 
increase, and considerable general interest has been evinced in its pro- 
gress. Since November 30th the building has been opened to the 
public on Sunday afternoons. The attendance has been satisfactory, 
varying from 100 to 400, and proves that there are many who appre- 
ciate this opportunity of inspecting the collections. The want of 
suitable show cases has been for many vears an obstacle to the progress 
of the Museum, and has seriously interfered with the growth of the 
collections. The council are glad to report that this difficulty has now 
been to a considerable extent removed. Early in the year it was 
decided to apply a small portion of the capital sum of the Costley 
bequest to this purpose, and excellent cases, of uniform plan, have been 
erected throughout the Museum, with the exception of that portion 
temporarily occupied by the art collections, which will be dealt with on 
the completion of the Art Gallery. Accommodation has also been 
provided for the storage of duplicates, specimens reserved for exchanges, 
&c. The public were necessarily excluded for a lengthened period 
during the carrying out of the work, the building being re-opened by a 
conversazione of the members and their friends, held on November 21st, 
and which passed off very pleasantly. In the report for last year it was 
