REPORT. 
13 
The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the 
report, said that he had much pleasure in stating 
that since the last Annual Meeting His Excellency 
Sir George Bowen had consented to accept the office 
of Patron of the Society ; and in suggesting that an 
addition be made to that effect, he was glad to find 
that the position of the Society had materially improved 
since the change in its constitution, made nearly two 
years ago (which, it was anticipated by some of the 
members, would prove disastrous to its prosperity 
and success), came into operation ; and that from 
the improvement in the subscription list and the 
increased number of visitors to the gardens, it was 
plain that the Society stood high in the estimation 
of the public. This was no doubt due to the 
admirable manner in which the gardens had been 
improved and managed by the curator, and to the 
interesting additions made to the zoological collection. 
He considered that Melbourne had now reached a 
position of importance sufficient to render a zoological 
collection not only necessary but self-supporting ; but 
at present the Society was placed in an uncertain 
position with respect to the Government grant, for 
which it depended entirely on the good will of the 
Members of Parliament. Though it was no doubt 
true that the subscription list was increasing, and the 
Society improving in public estimation, yet he believed 
it was impossible that it could maintain its present 
zoological collection — or indeed keep up an existence — 
from that source alone, without a grant from the 
Government ; and he would like the members of the 
Society and those who were interested in its welfare 
to consider this matter, in order that steps might be 
