REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 
FOR THE YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31st, 1865. 
The Council of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria have 
nowthe honour of laying before the Subscribers and Public the Fourth 
Annual Report of their proceedings, and the Council think that a con¬ 
sideration of it will sufficiently prove that the Society’s progress is real 
and important. 
The financial position of the Society continues satisfactory in so 
far as relates to the private subscriptions received. A reference to 
the Balance Sheet appended to this report will prove that these ex¬ 
hibit no falling off; but owing to the delay experienced in the 
passing of the Appropriation Act, the Government grant for this 
year is still unpaid, and this has considerably embarassed and con¬ 
fined the action of the Council. This fact will also account for so 
small a sum being expended in the purchase of animals, as the 
Council were compelled to hold back all available funds to meet the 
Current liabilities of the Society in the colony. The Council would 
observe that of the amount placed as expended under the head of 
“Purchase of AnimaLs” £400 still remains in the hands of Mr. 
Philpott, of London. 
The Council regret to inform the members that the Hon. IV. C. 
Haines has resigned the office of President, which has been accepted 
by Dr. Black, a gentleman to whose unflagging energies the Society 
owes so much. The Vice-Presidency thus vacated by Dr. Black has 
been unanimously conferred upon Professor M'Coy, who has been a 
warm friend to acclimatisation from the very first in this country. 
The following changes have taken place in the composition of the 
Council: In January Mr. IT. J. Chambers resigned, and was replaced 
by Mr. F. S. Dobson ; in February Mr. J. Smith resigned, and was 
succeeded by Mr. J. Steavenson ; in April Dr. Madden and Mr. J. 
Sparkes retired, and Mr. F. M. Curr and Mr. L. Mackimion were 
elected to take their places. It now devolves upon this Meeting to 
