4 



Nine essays in all were sent in for competition, the subject 

 being " The attitude of Science towards Miracles." 



The Judges were unanimous in placing first the essay sent in 

 under the motto e/o^ecr^e kcll there. On the opening of the 

 sealed envelope the essay was found to have been written by 

 Professor H. Langhorne Orchard, M.A., B.Sc, to whom there- 

 fore the Council have awarded the Gunning Prize of £40. 



The essays sent in by the Eev. G. T. Manley, M.A., E. W. 

 Maunder, Esq., F.R.A.S., and Professor J. Y. Simpson, M.A., 

 D.Sc, were adjudged to be deserving of honourable mention. 



6. Proposed change in the Constitution. 



During the session the Council have devoted considerable 

 time to the reorganisation of the Institute's office, and the 

 revision of their own rules of procedure with a view to the 

 more effective transaction of the Institute's business. 



They recommend to the consideration of the Institute the 

 following change in procedure which they believe will be 

 found of great benefit : — 



(«) That whereas at present the financial year of the 

 Institute runs from January 1st to December 31st, 

 and the session from December to June with the 

 Annual Meeting in June, the financial year and 

 session shall in future be coterminous, both ending 

 on December 31st. 



This will lead to the Annual Meeting being held in the early 

 part of each year, when the report and balance sheet of the 

 whole year and session immediately ended will be presented. It 

 will also lead to the publication of the annual volume in the 

 same year as that in which the printing and binding bills are 

 paid, and do away with the debtor balance varying from £200 

 to £130 which is at present carried over on the balance sheet 

 year by year. 



The Council also reconnnend to the Members and Associates 

 the following resolution : — 



" One-third of the members of Council shall retire annually 

 but be eligible for re-election : such retirement to be 

 by seniority in election to the Council." 



This rule if passed will occasion eight vacancies on the 

 Council in addition to the one already noticed. Members are 



