No. 11 —1858-9,] PROCEEDINGS, 1859. 



V 



ANNIVERSARY MEETING, 

 Monday, September 12th, 1859. 

 The Honorable Sir W. Carpenter Rowe, Chief Justice, in the Chair. 

 The Secretary proceeded to read the following 

 REPORT FOR 1858-9. 



In placing their Report for the past year before the Society, the 

 Committee desire, in the first place, to express the satisfaction they 

 feel in being able to assemble in rooms placed at their disposal by 

 the liberality and consideration of the Governor. 



The want of proper accommodation for their Museum and their 

 Meetings had long been felt ; but it was not until the position of 

 the Society was brought to the notice of His Excellency, by the 

 Deputation which waited upon him for the purpose, that this most 

 desirable object was attained. Your Committee have also to report 

 the liberal grant of £200 from the public funds, made by the 

 Government to the funds of the Society, to enable it t© extend and 

 improve its Museum and Library. 



At the interview which His Excellency the Governor accorded 

 to the Deputation, they received the strongest assurances of counten- 

 ance and aid which they could have desired. In consequence of 

 this interview, a paper drawn up by the Hon'ble the Chief Justice, 

 was forwarded to the Governor, who, in addition to the favours 

 f already mentioned, gave permission to the Committee to transmit, 

 through the medium of the Colonial Secretary to the Government 

 Officials at outstations, a Circular, drawing attention to the many 

 ways in which persons in various parts of the Island might assist 

 the Society in its labours, by information, by papers, or by objects 

 for its Museum. 



Copies of the Circular, and the papers which accompanied it, 

 are to be found in the Appendix accompanying this Report ; suf- 

 ficient time has scarcely elapsed since the Circular was distributed, 

 to allow of any results from it, but your Committee cannot too 

 strongly express the hope that, if it be received by those to whom 

 it is addressed in a proper spirit, much good may result. The 

 opportunities presenting themselves to gentlemen at outstations, of 

 colbcting data respecting their districts on matters interesting to 

 this Society, must be many ; and through such, it is hoped, the co- 

 operation of Native Headmen and others may be secured, in pro- 

 curing suitable objects for the Museum. 



