66 



OUR COLUMNS. 



April, 1892. 



JRepart0 of Meetings of ti^z Council 



Council Meeting, held January 14, 1892. — Present: Mr. Elger (in the chair"), 

 Mr. Bull, Rev. J. Copner, Rev. Canon Haddock, Mr. J. W. Hill, Mr. G. Hurst, Mr. W. 

 H. Jackson, Mr. Mayes, Mr. E. Ransom, Dr. Steinmetz, Mr. Steward, Mr. C. Wells, 

 Rev. P. W. Wyatt. 



The report of the Finance Committee, read by Mr. J. W, Hill, was adopted. Dr. 

 Steinmetz proposed that the Annual Meeting be held on January 29, and that the 

 Rev. J. Copner, Mr. Elger, Rev. Canon Haddock, Mr. J. W. Hill, Mr. Mayes, Rev. 

 Dr. Poole, Dr. Steinmetz, and Mr. C. Wells be appointed a Committee to draw up the 

 Report. Seconded by Mr. Jackson, and carried. 



A vote of thanks was carried to the donors of the following books : — Postlethwaite's 

 Dictionary of Trade and Commerce, 2 vols., folio, presented by Mr. G. Hurst ; A 

 Collection of Pamphlets by the late Mr. James Howard, presented by Mr. J. Harold 

 Howard. 



Annual Meeting, held January 29. — Present : Mr. Elger (in the chair), Mr. Bates, 

 Dr. Coombs, Rev. Canon Haddock, Mr. C. Wells, Rev. Paul Wyatt, Mr. Rowland Hill, 

 Mr. Mayes, Dr. Steinmetz, Mr. Hall, Mr. Cox, Mr. T. Peer, Mr. H. Fraser, Mr. Bobbins, 

 Mr. Bottoms, Mr. Aldred, Mr. Collins, &c., kc. 



After reading the notice of meeting and the minutes of the last annual meeting. 

 Dr. Steinmetz presented the following report : — 



In presenting the annual report the Council have much satisfaction in informing the subscribers that 

 the Society continues to advance in influence and popularity. During the past year the highest amoimt 

 ever received in subscriptions has been recorded, the increase under this head is £50, the total amount 

 received being £813 17s. The number of all classes of subscribers now exceeds 1000. Xotwithstanding 

 an unusual outlay for binding, amounting to £93 18s., the sum of £153 17s. 9d. has been expended on the 

 Library, exclusive of periodicals; the smn of £125 lis. 8d. has been devoted to the purchase of news- 

 papers and periodicals. The balance in hand, after discharging all liabilities, is £17 Os. 5d. Two 

 debentui^es of £25 each have been drawn for payment on June 30, 1892. During the year, Our Columns, 

 a periodical specially devoted to the affair's of the Society, has been published quarterly, to which it is 

 hoped members vvill both subscribe and contribute. After unavoidable delay in the preparation, the much 

 needed catalogue of the books and MSS. in the Library, revised and completed up to date, is now in the 

 printer's hands, and will very shortly be obtainable at cost price. An excursion to Dimstable and the 

 neighbourhood took place, under the auspices of the Archaeological and Natural Histor\" Section, in the 

 month of May. A Microscopical Soiree in connection with the same Section, held on November 19, in 

 the large room of the Library, was so successful that another similar entertainment will be given ^i 

 Februaiy next. Owing to the increase in the Librarian's duties it has been found necessary to appoint 

 an assistant, and the Council beheve that this aiTangement has given much satisfaction to the members. 

 The thanks of the Society are due to Mr. Henrs' Seebohm for his interesting lecture " Adventm-es in 

 Siberia." Dming the year 747 volumes of books have been added to the reference and circulating 

 Libraries : the titles of the books added are given quarterly in Our Columns. Thanks are due to the 

 follo^ving donors of books, <5cc. : The Plight Hon. A. AV. Peel, the Speaker of the House of Commons ; 

 ISIiss Louisa Bigg, of Luton ; Mr. W. Cudworth, of Bradford ; Mr. W. S. Hall, ]\Ir. A. Eansom, IVIr. E. 

 Ptansom, Dr. W. B. Eichardson, and jMiss Sharpin. Also to the proprietors of The Colonies and India ; 

 The Midland Couniies'' Herald; The Metropolitan ; TJte Canadian Gazette ; and The Emjpire, for free copies. 



