5 



reminded that the Council will gladly receive names for the 

 elections to the Council to be added to the names of those 

 retiring members who wish to stand for re-election. 



The Council believe that such a rule as is now contemplated 

 would be beneficial in introducing new blood into the Council, 

 and giving to individual members a greater interest in the affairs 

 of the Institute. 



The changes in the constitution (§ II) necessary for carrying 

 out this resolution will be brought before Members and 

 Associates by a special notice to be issued at such time as may 

 be found convenient for the calling of a special general 

 meeting. 



7. The change of Offices from 8, Adelphi Terrace, to 1, Adelphi 

 Ten-ace House, was successfully accomplished at the close of the 

 Session 1907-8. The new rooms have been suitable to the 

 needs of the Institute : although for the purpose of one or two 

 meetings it has been deemed advisable to engage the Hall of 

 the Royal Society of Arts which is near at hand in John Street, 

 and on each occasion the attendance has justified this step. 



8. Financial. 



The Council are glad to report that the financial position of 

 the Institute, though not yet all that could be desired, shows 

 some improvement. 



The economies effected by the change of offices and the 

 internal reorganisation bad not time to take full effect in the 

 year under review, 1908: but the monthly balances of the 

 current year (1909) bear gratifying testimony to their beneficial 

 operation. The Council trust that the depletion of the reserve 

 fund which has been continuous since 1905, has now reached its 

 limit. 



They have, however, to point out that although there is every 

 probability of a satisfactory balance being established for the 

 year 1909, the situation is still critical. On its financial 

 position depends the capacity of the Institute for useful work. 

 Much has been done in the past, and the review of the Session 

 (1908-9) bears witness to the efforts that are being made at the 

 present. Further advance, however, is necessary, and a great 

 increase in the number of supporters, if the Institute is to take 

 the place to which its objects entitle it. There has never been 

 a time at which such a Society was more needed. 



But the Victoria Institute cannot command the confidence of 



