37 
On the motion of Mr. A. Purchas, seconded by Mr. Chambers, 
solicitor, tlio appointment of the following gentlemen as members of 
the council was confirmed :—Hon. T. T. A’Beckett, Mr. Q. W. 
Rusden, Lieutenant-Colonel Champ, tho Comte do Castelnau, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Ross. 
Dr. Madden and Hon. S. O. Henty were also appointed members 
of council, in room of those retiring. 
The next buisness was the adoption of certain alterations in 
several of the rules of tho society, which had been approved of by 
the council, and these having been read over, were agreed to without 
remark. 
On tho motion of Mr. Chambers, a vote of thanks was then 
given to Mr. Officer, for tho interesting information with which he 
had favoured the meeting. 
The vote was duly acknowledged. 
A letter was read by the secretary from Mr. S. Wilson, of the 
Wimmera, with respect to certain animals and their prices. Tho 
letter also stated that Mr. Wilson had procured three emeus, a black 
swan, and a red kangaroo of the largest size, for the society. 
Mr. S. H. Biudon called attention to tho various specimens of 
wool which were lying-on the table, and pointed out that they were 
not there for the gratification of idle curiosityonly—they were intended 
to serve a useful purpose; and by examining them and comparing 
them with tho marketable wools in England, those interested could 
easily determine whither the wool grown here was of equal quality 
with that placed on the markets at home, and by that means it 
could be ascertained without much trouble whether there was likely 
to be an outlet for the wool produced here, and what were the 
prices likely to be obtained. Tho exhibition of the specimens before 
the meeting had therefore a utilitarian character. 
Dr. Black said the council were desirous of showing Mr. Duffield 
all tho honour they possibly could, and therefore he moved that that 
gentleman be appointed an honorary member of the association. 
Mr. G. W. Rusden seconded the motion, which was at once 
agreed to. 
Professor M‘Coy having been called upon by His Excellency, 
explained the steps taken by the society, at the instance of Dr. 
Black, for the introduction of the “ Arrindi ” or castor oil silkworm 
to the colony from India; and having pointed out the different 
accidental causes of failure on each of the occasions of former ship¬ 
ments, showed that such precautions had been taken as would by 
the continued aid of the secretary of the Agii-horticultural Society 
