24 
PROCEEDINGS eF THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
Having obtained a site from the Government on lease for 
99 years at a nominal rental this Committee proceeded to erect 
a suitable building. 
The designs and estimates of Messrs. Turnbull, Stewart & 
Co., were approved, and a sum of $6,600 was agreed to be paid 
for the building, and the opening ceremony took place on the 
17th September, 1892. 
A sum of $3,980 ha 3 been paid on account of the building, 
and a balance of about $2,800 remains to be paid. An agree- 
ment has been made with the Government by which a loan of 
£500 will be obtained towards the payment of this balance. 
The Institute may at present be said to include undci 
different sections the local branch of the British Medical 
Association, the Central Agricultural Board, the Trinidad I ield 
Naturalists’ Club, the Musical Society and the Literary Societ). 
The Museum contains the Leotaud collection of birds, the 
Keate collection of East Indian Shells, formerly deposited in the 
Council Chamber, and the collection of the Field Naturalists 
Club. 
Various scientific and literary journals have been received, 
and are laid on the table of the reading room. 
Up to the time of the opening of the building the only 
members of the Institute were the original subscribers, and the 
subscribers to the Articles of Association. Since that date 
several members have been elected. 
Every effort has been made by means of advertisements and 
direct application to call the attention of original subscribers to 
the privilege of membership as laid down in the Articles of 
Association, but with two or three exceptions no reply has been 
received. 
It is contemplated during the current year to institute a 
course of readings on various subjects. 
A list of donations to the Museum will be included in the 
next report. 
JNO. F. CHITTENDEN. 
