xliv 
Report to the General Meetinf/. 
The Council, having taken the matter into consideration, 
determind to suspend Mr. Hudson from the office of Secretary, 
and appointed a Special Committee, who were charged with 
fully investigating the exact state of the Secretary's accounts. 
From the report of this Committee it appeared that the 
accountant had discovered an amount due from Mr. Hudson, 
consisting chiefly of payments received by him from exhibitors 
of implements for shedding, for entrance fees on live stock and 
implements, fines, and small amounts, making a total of 
19o3Z. 85. ^d. The different moneys forming this amount had 
not been entered in his cash-book, or accounted for to the 
Finance Committee as received, and had not been paid in to the 
bankers according to the bye-laws. 
The Council therefore dismissed Mr. Hudson from the office 
of Secretary, and withheld the payment of the salary due to him 
amounting to 161/. 195. 9c?. 
Whilst legal advice was being taken as to the course which 
should be pursued in this very difficult matter, the death of Mr. 
Hudson occurred. 
It appeared that, a short time before his decease, Mr. Hudson 
executed a deed of assignment, making over the whole of his 
effects for the benefit of his creditors ; and, under legal advice, 
the Council determined to come in as creditors under the deed 
in question, and authorized the Honorary Acting Secretary to 
sign it on behalf of the Society for the balance due, viz. 
1771Z. 85. %d. 
At present it is impossible to ascertain definitely what 
dividend will be realized ; but it is hoped that this large amount 
will be considerably reduced by it. 
The total loss which the Society may have to sustain will be 
further lessened by the business of the Society having been 
carried on without a paid Secretary for the last seven months. 
The Finance Commitee who were acting at the time when Mr. 
Hudson's deficiency was discovered having tendered their 
resignation, in order that the future course of the Council miglit 
