Agricultural and Commercial Society. 109 
the large sums of money formerly paid out to other 
countries for this particular item of food supply, now 
grown by ourselves. 
Turning now to the Society's work during the past 
year, I have again to deplore the want of interest 
evinced by the great majority of members in attending 
the monthly meetings, or taking any part or interest in 
the practical work of the Society. I am glad to say 
that during the year none of our meetings fell through 
for want of a quorum, although a few very nearly did 
so, and it was only by a vigorous beating up of recruits 
that the situation was saved on at least one occasion. I 
was unable to induce any member to read a paper 
during the year, although I prepared a suggestive, if 
not quite a tempting, list of possible and suitable 
subjects for treatment by both the Agricultural and 
Commercial sections. One of our associates, Mr. E. N. 
McDaviii, I am pleased to say, responded to the invita- 
tion by reading an interesting paper on '' The working 
and management of a small Provision Farm." I wish 
others would follow his example, and let us have the 
benefit of their experience and the results of their 
observations. I read a paper myself on " The Possibili- 
ties of Railway Development in the Colony," which was 
written more with the object of inviting discussion 
rather than for the expression of any dogmatic views of 
my own on the subject. I am glad to say it achieved 
that object by calling forth some interesting remarks by 
several members, including two lengthy and instructive 
communications from Mr. J. W. Dorman and Mr. G. V. 
de La Bastide, whose practical connection with our 
existing local railways well qualifies them for expressing 
