xiv 



Proceedings, 



the society, held on the 9th of January last, when it was resolved 

 that the correspondence with reference to the amalgamation of the 

 Victorian Institute with the Philosophical Society, when complete, 

 be laid before a special general meeting for their consideration, 

 called on the Secretary to read the correspondence referred to. 



After the correspondence had been read, Mr. S. Wekey, the Hon. 

 Secretary, laid before the meeting the statements having reference to 

 the comparative relation of the two societies. He said, that according 

 to the report of the Victorian Institute read before a half-yearly 

 meeting held on Thursday, 8th March, 1855, it was stated that the 

 Victorian Institute had a balance in hand of £68 9s. 8d, ; while the 

 Philosophical Society at the same time had^ available funds from 

 members' subscriptions to the amount of £170, which, in case of 

 an amalgamation, will leave, in favour of the Victorian Institute, 

 £100. 



At a meeting of the Victorian Institute, held on the 8th of March 

 it was reported, that up to that date six papers had been read, whde 

 on the other hand, the Philosophical Society, during the same pariod 

 of time, had received seventeen papers, which, in case of an 

 amalgamation, would leave in their favour eleven papers. 



As to the officers of the Victorian Institute, an amalgamation 

 de facto has already taken place, since the President of the Insti- 

 tute, with several members of the council, are now actually mem- 

 bers of the Philosophical Society; and, although this society had 

 no opportunity as yet to open a wider field, for the exertions and 

 attainments of those who. previously members of the Victorian 

 Institute have afterwards joined the Philosophical Society, as far as 

 he can judge, the members of the Society are anxiously waiting 

 for the first opportunity, at the next anniversary meeting, to be 

 held in August, to invite the co-operation ofsomeof them to occupy 

 such a post in the society as will give them an opportunity of 

 exerting themselves in behalf of the interests of the society, 

 as well as the advancement of science in Victoria. 



As to the annual subscription, there is some difference between 

 the Victorian Institute and the Philosophical Society. The entrance 

 fee and the subscription to the Philosophical Society is considered 

 by some high; but although in one instance its reduction was con- 

 templated, the council did not deem it expedient to reduce the 

 same. 



A discussion on the subject then took place, and on account of 

 the small attendance the meeting was adjourned, and the subject 

 referred to the next monthly meeting of the society. 



