No. 61. —1908.] PROCEEDINGS. 



185 



5. Mr. AninsrAcHAiiAM said he was voicing the; sentiments of 

 all of them when he said that they had heard of £he President's 

 resignation! with extreme regret. They did not at all agree 

 that the resignation would be to the advantage of the Society. 

 It would be wholly disadvantageous. It was impossible at such 

 short notice for him to adequately express the obligations the 

 Society was under to Mr. Ferguson. Its present prosperity was 

 largely due to him. He hoped that Mr. Ferguson would not say 

 farewell, but sit again as their President before resigning. 

 Besides, they had no opportunity of addressing Mr. Clifford, who 

 was leaving early the next day, and they should fairly insist on 

 the President retaining his seat meanwhile. He concluded by 

 proposing a vote of thanks to the President. Seconded by Mr. 

 Freudenberg. 



6. The Chairman, in reply, said he had been their President 

 for four years, and in his last election had clearly stated it must 

 be his last year. He would be away the greater part of next year, 

 and it would be unfair to the Society for him to continue as 

 President ; besides, Mr. Clifford had taken only six weeks' leave. 

 He (the speaker) hoped to return to Ceylon, which was his adopted 

 home ; and if the Society wanted to fill a vacancy among the Vice- 

 Presidents, he would be glad to serve as such, but in the meantime 

 it must be " farewell." 



This closed the Meeting. The retiring President bade good bye 

 to his many friends before leaving the hall. 



O 



20-08 



