GENERAL MEETINGS. 



xvii 



fuel, nor for the possible income from letting part of the buildings to 

 horticultural societies, or the great hall for meetings, &c. Your Committee 

 believe that a sufficient sum to cover the erection of the necessary build- 

 ings may be raised by public subscription, towards which promises 

 amounting to £8,000 have already been received. Signed on behalf of the 

 •Committee, Trevor Lawrence. 



MEMORANDUM OF THE COUNCIL. 



The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society consider it desirable 

 iit the present juncture to make to the Fellows a general statement of the 

 policy they intend to pursue. 



The Council are fully aware that a considerable number of Fellows 

 desire that a garden better situated than Chiswick should be secured as a 

 memorial of the Centenary of the Society. 



It was also shown unmistakably at the late General Meeting that a 

 widely felt desire exists that a better hall and offices should be provided, 

 which the Society would have completely under its own control. 



The Council desire to carry both these objects to a successful issue, and, 

 looking at the history of the Society during recent years, they see no reason 

 why this should not be done. 



The practical question at the moment is, which of the two shall 

 have precedence, as they certainly cannot both be proceeded with at the 

 same time. 



The policy of the existing Council is to endeavour to secure first a 

 suitable hall and offices near those now occupied at Westminster, and 

 when that is done to devote their attention at once to the acquisition of a 

 site for a new garden. 



The reasons which actuate the Council in adopting this order are many, 

 and among the more important are the following : — 



1. They consider it to be the more generally acceptable to those Fellows 

 who take an active part in promoting the welfare of the Society. 



2. They have already received promises of financial support to the 

 extent of £8,000 towards the building, whereas no such support has at 

 present been tendered towards securing a garden. 



3. A site for a hall, 400 yards from Victoria Street, and in a rapidly 

 improving neighbourhood, as good as can ever be expected to be within the 

 means of the Society, is at our disposal. 



4. The Council are of opinion, and have been professionally advised, 

 that the rent asked is a moderate one, and is within the means of the 

 Society. The proposed lease is for 999 years, which is equivalent to a 

 freehold. 



5. They are also of opinion that the provision of a good hall and offices 

 would in itself attract a large number of new Fellows, and would in that 

 respect help the subsequent acquisition of a garden. 



It should be noted that it has been found necessary to take the decision 

 of the Fellows without any delay, owing to the obligation of terminating 

 certain leases at Lady Day. 



The Council confidently appeal to the Fellows, of whom they hope to 

 see a full attendance at the Drill Hall on the 21st, at 3 p.m., to support 

 the policy briefly outlined in this memorandum. They trust the Fellows 



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