286 TlMEHRI. 
There were over 50 members present. 
Election. — Member : P. B. Kearns, Pin. Success, 
East Coast, was elected an ordinary member. 
Mr. M. Garnett brought forward his motion, that the 
annual subscription should be reduced. In the course of 
an animated speech he said : — The present was 
a fitting time for a reduction in subscriptions. Not 
only does the present subscription, in these days of stricTt 
personal economy, retrenchment, and reduction of sala- 
ries, press heavily upon many members ; but was it 
right in a country such as this, possessed of neither a 
free library nor other place of reference, that the high 
subscription of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial 
Society should prevent many from, enjoying that 
which in every other country would be offered them 
gratuitously ? He believed that the proposed redu6tion 
of subscriptions would have the effe6t of largely increas- 
ing the list of members, and an increase of members 
ought to add to the interest taken in the Society, and 
perhaps check the cursed apathy and spirit of indiffer- 
ence which is so gradually but surely stealing over the 
community in general, and the Royal Agricultural and 
Commercial Society in particular. He concluded by 
moving that the subscription of ordinary members be 
reduced from $16 to $10— town and country alike — and 
of associates, from $8 to $5. 
Mr. Nind seconded the motion and advocated the 
cheapening of libraries as a means of educating the 
people. 
Archdeacon Austin, Mr. Hutchens. Mr. Braud, Mr. 
Kirke, Mr. Winter, Mr. Hodgson, the Secretary, Mr. 
Daly and Mr. Darnell Davis, took part in the discussion ; 
