ANNUAL REPORT. 
327 
The introduction of readings and recitations from the great 
dramatists was a peculiar feature of this Session, the Board 
wish to express their thanks to their Honorary Treasurer, Mr. 
McCarthy, the organiser of these readings, and to gratefully 
acknowledge the services of the members of the Dramatic Club 
and the other ladies and gentlemen who took part in them. 
A musical competition was held in December, but owing 
perhaps to its novelty, it did not meet with the success antici- 
pated except among the school choirs. 
The Board having decided to include a course of lectures on 
Ambulance work and Home Nursing, sought the assistance of 
Dr. Inskip Bead, who agreed to deliver the first course of lectures. 
Towards the end of the year, Sir Vincent K. Barrington, Vice- 
President of the St- John Ambulance Association, who was then 
in the island, called a meeting of the local centre of that Asso- 
ciation (which had been in existence for many years but had 
ceased for some time to do any active work) for the purpose of 
meeting the Board of Management of this Institute. The result 
of this joint meeting was that, with the consent of the parent 
Association the Local Committee joined the Board of Manage- 
ment, and the Victoria Institute became the local centre. 
It is a matter of congratulation that the Board were able to 
obtain the services of Dr. Inskip Bead as their first lecturer, 
and of Drs. Knox, Eakin,'and Laurence, as examiners for award- 
ing the St. J ohn’s certificate. 
Lectures on nursing are now being given to a very large 
number of ladies by Dr. Inskip Bead. Eighteen new members 
and ten associates joined the Institute during the year. 
The debt due to the Government on loan account has been 
reduced to £300. • • 
The Board have again received from the Government a 
;rant of £250 towards the expenses of this year. 
A Statement of the Revenue and Expenditure up to the 
list December, 1897, is appended. 
Exclusive of those ^ 
W were .4,414 ^ 
lontinues to be the meeting place 101 
t * • v. +n acknowledge the services 
The Board in conclusion wish to ack ^ rest 0 f the 
if Mrs. Latour, their Assistant ^ ^ them during the, 
staff. Much extra work has been th cheerfulness, 
pastyear, they havedone their duty well and with 
