Agricultural and Commercial Society. 13 
system of trading;" ^'Reciprocity with the United 
States ; " " Packages, and modes of packing imported 
provisions ; " '^ Rice — its storage — native as compared 
with imported varieties ; " and '' PossibiHties of a local 
fruit trade." 
In his experience of the Society, although they had 
frequent papers read by Engineers and Planters and 
Agricultural Chemists, he could not call to mind a 
single paper ever read by a Water Street member, but 
he hoped this reproach on the Commercial section of 
the Society would soon be removed. 
The President reported that His Excellency Sir 
J. A. Swettenham had kindly, consented to become 
Vice-Patron of the Society. His Excellency had shown 
great interest in the work of the Society, when he 
(the President) waited upon him with the Honorary 
Secretary, and had spoken of the agricultural outlook of 
the colony : he had also made some suggestions in regard 
to minor industries wdiich might be introduced here, 
particularly the growing of cocoanuts, so successfully 
carried out in Ceylon and other places in the East. 
His Excellency was unanimously elected an honor- 
ary member wdtliout the usual notice, the standing 
rules being suspended on tlie motion of the President 
for the purpose. 
Elections. — Member : Mr. James Brodie. 
Associates : Messrs. William D. Wilson, 
Samuel Powell, WilHam Winter, M. B. G. Austin, 
C. L. Gale, and Albert Paddenburg. 
