REPORT OF COUNCIL. 
165 
which is now paid annually in interest would supply us with all 
necessary cases, and also purchase valuable material, no doubt 
an endeavour to raise the amount required for the discharge of 
ihe mortgages will meet with success. It will be seen by the 
statement presented that the balance on hand is only about $100 
less than that of last year, notwithstanding the fact that no grant 
was received from the City. Last year we received $250.00. 
The membership fees, amounting, as they do, to $792.00, exceed 
those of last year by $331.00, and, as the membership is really 
the same, the increase may be, to quite an extent, accounted for 
by our having arranged to pay a commission, and have the col- 
lections carefully and thoroughly looked after. 
Building (W. F. Burditt, Chairman.) 
The Building Committee has but little to report with refer- 
ence to the operations of the past year (1909); more or less 
expenditure is necessarily incidental to the maintenance of a 
property such as that now owned by the Society, but no improve- 
ments have been undertaken, or even considered or recommended 
by the committee, for the simple reason that the liquidation of 
the mortgage debt seems to be generally regarded as the first and 
most important object to be accomplished. Therefore, although 
there are no doubt many improvements in the interior arrange- 
ment of the building which might be made with great advantage 
to the museum, consideration of the subject has been deferred 
until funds for that purpose would appear to be available. In 
the meantime, much repairs to the exterior of the building, as 
appeared to be necessary, have been, or are being, attended to. 
Although a considerable amount of work in the way of pointing, 
plastering and repairing the brick-work of the rear wall was 
done in 190, some further work of the same kind has been found 
necessary, and has just been completed. A small expenditure 
has also been made upon the interior of that portion of the 
premises leased to Dr. Matthew, to render them suitable for his 
purpose, and at the suggestion of the Associate members a higher 
platform has been provided for the lecture room. 
