MINUTES OF ANNUAL, GENERAI. MEETING, 30tH MARCH 1950 23 
bersliip was a mark of their gratitude and esteem for everything she 
had done for over two years, and it was hoped that she would continue 
to help the Society in future. Miss Campbell replied; — 
" Mr President, Members of the B.S.B, I.— Ladies and Gentlemen— I am quite 
overcome by the laudatory remarks that have been made, and thank you for 
them. When I wrote my Annual Report, I did nol know that I should he 
addressing you for the last time, or I would have added a note of farewell. I 
should like you to know that until recently my work lor the Society has given 
me great pleasure, and throughout I have felt your sympathy and Interest. 1 
want to thank you lo'r all your man*- kindnesses, and to assure you that you 
have never added to my difficulties, and that it has always been a pleasure to 
receive your letters and to meet so many of you. I should like to think that, 
although 1 shall no longer receive or answer your letters, our acquaintance is 
not a passing one, and that I may- number you among my friends, though offi- 
cially I bid you good-bye.” 
Mr. Alston and Miss Campbell were then unanimously elected Vice- 
, Presidents. 
Election of Honorary General Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. 
The President stated that Mr. J. E. Lousley and Mr. E. L. Swann 
were nominated for the Offices of Honorary General Secretary and 
Honorary Treasurer respectively. 
Mr Lousley then read the following statement : — 
The work of Treasurer of this Society has occupied much of my leisure for 
, the past nine years, and I cannot help feeling that it would lie more appropriate 
to turn my attention to private botanical work, which has iong been put on on<^ 
side, rather than to undertake Office in another capacity. In agreeing to nomin- 
ation I am satisfying no personal ambitions, for my Office of Treasurer has 
enabled me to participate fully in all branches of our activities — indeed at one 
time or another I have carried out work now undertaken by most other Officers. 
“ The retiring Secretary has presented a Memorandum to Council stating 
that there is ‘ far too much work for an Honorary Secretary to cope with ’. In 
these circumstances I have accepted the Council’s nomination with some trepida- 
tion, for I am engaged during the day on other exacting duties, and it is only 
in the evenings that I am free to turn my attention to the Society’s affairs. If 
there is anyone better qualified in these respects, and available, I should be very 
ready to stand down in their favour. If, however, the members still feel that 
they would wish to elect me as Honorary General Secretary, I shall be pleased 
to do my best to carry out my new duties with the help and support of the 
Officers a>-'d Council.” 
The President said that all were very grateful to Mr. Lousley and 
to Mr. Swann for undertaking these burdens. 
Mr. Ash thought that the reasons given for Miss Campbell’s wish not 
being granted were inadequate, and that more help could have been 
given her. He wished to protest at the decision, and said that the situ- 
ation was “tragic”, as, unless they were careful, the Society would lose 
all its Officers. The President replied that Council had discussed the 
matter thoroughly, and their decision (stated above) had been come to 
with regret. 
Mr. Lousley and Mr. Swann, proposed by Prof. Tutin and seconded 
by Mr. Alston, were then elected Honorary General Secretary and 
Honorary Treasurer respectivelv. ^ 
M. S. Campbell. 
