Report of Society's Meetings. 399 
meeting in January, moved for the annual appointment 
of a " Commercial Committee." He did not know what 
were the views of the mercantile body in this matter; 
they did not appear to feel the need of a Chamber of 
Commerce, and apparently took no interest in the 
present motion. His obje6l in bringing forward the 
motion was to carry out one of the main objects of the 
Society. The only body that at present looked after the 
commercial side of the Society was the Committee of 
Correspondence. From the time of the foundation of 
the Society up till lately, the great interest of the colony 
was sugar, both agricultural and commercial. Now 
several other industries were growing up, such as gold, 
cocoa and rice. They wanted information about these 
things, the extent to which they could be carried on, the 
value of them, and the methods of preparing them for 
market, which matters would be within the province of 
the proposed Committee. He did not wish to force his 
views upon the members ; if they were in favour of it, he 
supposed the Directors would formulate a new Bye-Law 
and bring that before the next general meeting. 
The Rev. J. Foreman seconded the motion and 
expressed his surprise that such a motion had not been 
made before. The only difficulty was in the number of 
Committees being increased. He would suggest that 
the present Committee of Correspondence should have 
the power of appointing a Sub-Committee to deal 
especially with commercial matters. 
Mr. Drysdale suggested that the Exchange Room 
Directors should be merged into the proposed Com- 
mittee. 
The Vice-President thought it desirable that there 
