xliv 



and we have received a communication announcing the results, which, 

 however, are as yet only provisional, inquiries having still to be made, 

 as to the age, health, and character of the successful Candidates. The 

 Council have had under consideration a body of regulations respecting 

 the duties of the Library and Museum Clerks. In consequence of the 

 increased labours recently thrown on the Treasurer's department, it is 

 recommended that the salary of the Assistant Accountant should be 

 raised to an equality with those proposed to be paid to the Clerks above 

 mentioned. 



The additional grants (amounting to £1000) being given for special 

 objects, and being incapable of diversion from those objects, their ex- 

 penditure stands on a different footing from that of the ordinary funds 

 of the Academy. In order to simplify the management of those grants, 

 and to facilitate their judicious outlay, as well to improve our general 

 financial system, it was thought desirable that a new code of laws 

 should be enacted with respect to the duties of the Treasurer and the dis- 

 bursement of our funds. Such a code has been drawn up after very 

 careful consideration, and has recently received the sanction of the 

 Academy. 



A sum of £200 out of the additional grant is to be annually devoted 

 to the assistance of persons engaged in conducting scientific inquiries 

 of such a nature as to involve expenditure on instruments or materials, 

 with the understanding that the results of such researches are to be 

 brought before the Academy, and published in its "Transactions" or 

 " Proceedings." A distribution of this fund was made, for the first 

 time, in the past year, after careful examination into the claims of the 

 several applicants. We hare had the first fruits of this new arrange- 

 ment in a valuable paper, read at one of our recent meetings ; and other 

 papers, produced under similar circumstances, will soon be ready for 

 presentation to the Academy. The Council invite gentlemen proposing 

 to undertake scientific researches during the coming year, and desiring 

 to obtain aid from this fund, to 6end in their applications at the earliest 

 possible date. 



The late period of the year 1868 at which the Parliamentary allo- 

 cation for the Library became available necessarily delayed the ap- 

 pointment of a Clerk, and also diminished the time for the execution 

 of work in the Library department. At the request of the Council, how- 

 ever, the Librarian undertook, and by procuring temporary assistance, 

 has carried out some important operations. A Catalogue of the printed 

 books in the Haliday Collection has been prepared, 'and upwards of 

 15,000 of the Haliday pamphlets have also been catalogued. A 

 new and more precise system of Library registration has been introduced 

 from the commencement of the present year, and many deficiencies 

 which had caused inconvenience have been supplied. Tables and desks 

 for readers have been provided ; but it is found difficult, in the space 

 now available, to meet satisfactorily the requirements of the Library, or 

 provide for the accommodation of those who have occasion to consult 

 its collections. 



