796 
ANNUAL MEETING. 
Mr. Abraham said he would move, as soon as lie was in order in so doing, “ That 
the consideration of the subject be adjourned for twelve months.” He had, in the 
Council Chamber, made a motion to the same effect, which had received considerable 
support, not because he attached so much weight to the objections which had been 
urged against these regulations as some gentlemen present did, but because he thought 
it extremely desirable that the subject should be dealt with in such a manner that 
it would receive the unanimous support of the Society, and which would fulfil the 
obligations they were under to the Government. He did not think it was possible 
for any candid person to take the Act of Parliament and read one of the first 
clauses, without seeing that the Legislature intrusted them, with the sanction of the 
Privy Council, with the responsible duty of making some provision on the subject; 
and he must say the objections made by some gentlemen present, were founded en¬ 
tirely, he believed, on misapprehensions. The regulations, in fact, would not involve 
the difficulties which were alleged ; for instance, any gentleman might write upon 
his cask the word Poison,” however large it might be, and thus he would comply 
with the Act. 
Mr. Brown was sorry to interrupt any gentleman, but he certainly objected to 
travelling over the whole ground that had already been gone over. The proposed 
amendment was quite needless. 
Mr. Abraham submitted that he was perfectly in order, as he had given notice of 
the amendment which he was now proposing—that the subject should be deferred for 
twelve months. If the Society would not deal with this question, the Government 
would do so in some shape or other. 
Mr. Edwards said it had been assumed by those who advocated the amendment, 
that to reject legislation at present was to remit it to the Council; but that was not 
the case. _ . 
Mr. Dickinson said they had carried the amendment as a specific resolution, and 
there the matter ended. They did not remit it to the new Council; but they might 
take it up again de novo if they liked. He did not want to remit it to them. Let 
them take it up as often as they liked, and the members would be ready to meet them 
upon it. . 
The Chairman then put the amendment, that the subject be taken into considera¬ 
tion by the incoming Council, and that a further report be made to an adjourned 
meeting. A division took place ; and on a show of hands, there appeared 87 for, and 
50 against. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. 
On proceeding to put the amendment as a substantive motion, 
Mr. Abraham moved that the consideration of the subject be postponed for twelve 
months. He thought all would agree that this was a subject which ought to be dealt 
with at an annual meeting, and not at a special meeting, which might be held at any 
time during the twelve months, when there might not be nearly so many members 
present. Adopting his amendment, the Council would not be precluded from con¬ 
sidering the matter in the interval, and presenting any proposals which they might- 
think proper to prefer. 
Mr. Rogerson said he had much pleasure in seconding the amendment. 
Mr. Randall suggested that they might take the resolution now carried as far as 
it went, and engraft upon it that one proposed by Mr. Abraham, remitting the suo- 
icct to the next Council, and requesting them to report to the next annual meeting 
instead of to a special meeting. He thought that would be a compromise which would 
meet the views of all parties. _ . 
A Member asked if that would preclude the Council from enforcing any regulations 
with the sanction of the Privy Council. 
The Chairman said the Council had no power to do so. It must be the act of the 
Society. 
Mr. Deane thought Mr. Randall’s suggestion a very good one. 
The Chairman then put the resolution in the following form : 
“ That the subject be taken into consideration by the incoming Council, and 
that a further report be made to the next annual meeting. 
This was carried unanimously. _ , 
Mr. Schacht asked leave to move the resolution which he had previously read, and 
