20 
BKrOUT OF THE COTTNOTE FOU inr)2 
Any Other Business; — Mr. Ash said that he did not tliiiik the new 
name “Meetings Secretary” was altogether a fortunate one as it might 
be thought that his duties included business meetings. The Hon. 
General Secretary said this point had been considered, but it had not 
been possible to find an alternative title free from objection. 
Before the meeting closed, the Hon. General Secretary, ffon. Editor, 
and Hon. Meetings Secretary made various announcements. 
The President thanked members tor their attendance and proposed 
that the thanks of the Meeting be accorded to the Council of the Linnean 
Society for the use of their rooms and for much help. This was agreed. 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 
This Report and the audited accounts printed below cover the period 
January 1st to December 31st, 1952. 
MEMBEBSHIP. During the year 114 new members joined the Society; 
of these 25 (22%) were introduced through the activities of the Adver- 
tising Committee. We lost 17 members through death, resignation and 
the operation of Rule 6 (d), giving a net increase of 97. This may be 
compared with net increases of 22, 12, 104 and 79 respectively for the 
years 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951. The total membership at the end of 
the year was 778, .showing an increase of 56% in three years. 
FINANCE. Receipts from subscriptions amounted to £719, compared 
with £641, £590 and £492 for the preceding three years which indicates 
only partially the extent to which the Society’s financial position is im- 
proving with the increa.se in membership. The balance of the General 
Fund is somewhat lower than at the end of 1951 but is considered 
adequate to meet immediate commitments. For the first time, our 
accounts include a credit in respect of Income Tax recovered under the 
Deeds of Covenant scheme. The Council would like to express its 
gratitude to members who have paid their subscriptions under this ar- 
rangement but think there should be many more who could help the 
Society in this way at no cost to themselves. It trusts that these mem- 
bers will apply to the Treasurer for details. 
The balance of the Journal Fund has increased during the year by 
rather more than the cost of one i.ssue of Watsonia, owing to the issue 
of only two parts instead of three. Expenditure on our journal has been 
very much less than may be expected in a normal year. 
The Publications Fund is charged wdth heavy liabilities for the cost 
of the report of the 1952 Conference and for the new Plant List in pre- 
paration. A new edition of Comital Flora is also envisaged. The 
balance of this Fund has been built up towards meeting these com- 
mitments. Sales of publications have been less during the year owing 
to the fewer parts of Watsonia and to the fact that new books have not 
been issued during the calendar year. 
