446 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
the by-laws, or whether (as had been hinted at, hut never 
thoroughly discussed) ex officio members of the Examining 
Board should be entitled to take part in the examinations. 
He thought that was a very important question, and should 
be considered by the Council, but it could not be determined 
upon at the present meeting, inasmuch as no notice had been 
given of it, and the meeting was not a full one. It involved 
a fundamental principle. The question he wished now to 
ask was this, without expressing any opinion, whether the 
Council would sanction the examination of the papers now 
waiting to be examined in the usual way, according to the 
custom which had been established under their authority. 
If that were their pleasure the duty could be performed 
after the present meeting, so that no delay might take place. 
There were four examiners present, who could deal with the 
matter in a very few minutes, as it was a mere formal 
proceeding. 
Professor Brown said, as one of the Examiners, he could 
not move in the matter ; but if the course suggested by the 
President were adopted, it would leave the general question 
still open. He thought it was usual for ex officio members of 
bodies not to vote. He had never tried the experiment, 
because it always occurred to him that that was the usage ; 
but the matter would have to be brought before the Couneil 
on a future occasion. 
The President said that he more than once placed his 
resignation in the hands of the Council, as an elected member 
of the Examining Board ; but he did it on this understand- 
ing, that he should not consider himself eligible to examine 
or vote by virtue of his office as President of the Veterinary 
Society if he were merely an ex officio member. He might 
attend the examinations as an ordinary member, with the 
view of seeing which candidates were best suited for the 
army, but not to take any part in the examinations himself. 
Professor Brown said he did not think it was necessary to 
move a resolution, but probably the Council would tacitly 
permit the examinations of the gentlemen in question to be 
conducted in the usual mode, leaving the matter, as regarded 
the principle, open to be discussed at a future time. 
The President said that, with that understanding, that the 
Council were not binding themselves to any opinion, he would 
take it that the examinations which had been adjourned 
might take place. 
The auditors’ report and statement of accounts having been 
read, the adoption thereof was moved by Mr. Cowie , seconde 
by Professor Brown, and agreed to. 
