32G 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
The Exhibition was opened on the 1 5th, 16th, 17th and 
19th of February and on two extra days by special request. 
Exclusive of Members and Exhibitors upwards of 1,600 persons 
visited the Exhibition. A very interesting descriptive Catalogue 
of the Historical Section of the Exhibition was prepared by Mr. 
L. M. Fraser. Those who wish to possess what is really a brief 
history of the Colony can obtain copies of this Catalogue at the 
Institute. _ 
Considerable additions to the Industrial and Commercial 
Museum have been made during the year ; the Board thank the 
donors of samples for their contributions, a list of which is 
appended. 
If photographs of the cultivation, preparation and manu- 
facture of our staple products could be obtained they would form 
an interesting addition to the Museum. 
At a meeting of the Board held on the 29tli of June, 1897, 
a Special Committee was appointed to draw up a programme of 
work. This Committee submitted to the Board a report suggest- 
ing that there should be a Special Session from October to May 
with a fixed programme of work. This was agreed to and a 
copy of the programme is appended. The Gov’ernor, Sir Hubert 
Jerningham, the Patron of the Institute, opened the Session 
with an inaugural address. The great interest His Excellency 
has taken in the welfare of the Institute and the influence he 
has exercised both by his presence and by his advice at the many 
meetings attended by him largely contributed to the success of 
the Session. The Board desire also .to express their high 
appreciation of the co-operation of the following gentlemen who 
prepared papers for the fortrfightly meetings : — 
Mr. Rene de Verteuil, an experienced planter, 
„ H. S. Bidw ell, Engineer in charge of Harbour Works, 
,, J. H. Hart, Supt. Royal Botanic Gardens, 
Hon. W. Wrightson, Director Public Works, 
Mr. E. W.. Dickenson, Engineer Electric Light and Power 
Company, 
Dr. Prada, 
Mr. F. Pogson, Government Veterinary Surgeon, 
,, Bert de Lamarrk, Chemist and planter of long ex- 
perience. 
So popular were the meetings and the subjects discussed at 
them, that it was found necessary to enlarge the lecture room 
by the addition of one of the rooms at the entrance, to give 
more accommodation to those who attended the meetings. 
