37 
that the Honorary Treasurer has again experienced considerable difficulty in 
collecting the subscriptions. It is to meet this difficulty, and to endeavour 
to place the financial position of the Society on a more solid basis, that your 
Council have felt themselves obliged to frame the new rule which they sub- 
mit to your consideration to-night. 
In conclusion, your Council cannot refrain from expressing a hope that 
the promise of the past may be amply fulfilled in the future, and that the 
acknowledged position which the Society has already attained as a scientific 
body, may not only induce its members to endeavour to preserve that repu- 
tation, but incite them to make more strenuous exertions than before. 
The Hon, Treasurer, Mr. W. W. Stoddart, F.G.S., then read the audited 
accounts for the year, ( see page 39. ) He said that the balance against the 
Society last year was £23 13s, this year it was only £9 8s. 6d. ; and he 
hoped that by another year he would have as large a balance in its favour. 
The arrears of subscriptions amounted to £23 17s. 6d., and he considered 
that when these were collected the Society would be out of debt. 
Mr. C. Blackmore then moved the first resolution: "That the Keport 
now read, together with the Treasurer's Account, be approved and printed 
under the direction of the Council, and that a list of the Officers and Mem- 
bers, and the Rules of the Society, be added thereto." 
Mr. R. V. Sherring seconded the resolution, which was carried 
unanimously. 
Mr. Pearce moved the second resolution : "That a contribution of £5 5s. 
from the funds of the Society be presented to the Institution, and that the 
Hon. Secretary be requested at the same time to convey the best thanks of 
the Naturalists' 'Society, for the kindness with which they have been met 
by the Committee of the Institution." 
Mr. F. Martin having seconded the resolution, it was carried nem. con. 
Mr. Stephen Barton then moved the third resolution, as follows : "That 
the Hon. Secretary, the Hon, Reporting Secretary, and the Hon. Treasurer, 
be requested to continue in their respective offices during the ensuing year." 
Mr. C. F. Ravis seconded the resolution. 
The resolution having been carried unanimously, 
The ballot was then taken for the office of President, Mr. A. Leipner and 
Mr. Graham Ponton being the scrutineers, the result of which was the 
unanimous re-election of Mr. William Sanders, F.R.S., F.G.S. 
