428 TlMEHRI. 
might lead the Society to take a political party side in lieu of con- 
forming to the fundamental principle of neutrality on all such questions. 
I regard the adoption of Mr. Darnell Davis's resolution for the appoint- 
ment of a Commercial Committee as a distinct step in advance. The 
Quarantine Regulations question is also one of practical importance, 
and so far as I am qualified to form an opinion, my impression is that 
the Conference has been most successfully conducted. I regret to learn 
that the colony has suffered so severely from drought, but hope this may 
stimulate the suggestion of precautionary measures to modify, if not 
altogether prevent the occurrence of similar calamities in future ; also 
that the slight fall of rain which preceded the date of your letter may 
have been but the precursor of a larger supply. 
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. W. 
Walker, the Resident Director in London, for having 
given his time and energy in selecting books for 
the Society and promoting its interests generally. 
The vote of thanks being seconded by Mr. G. H. 
Hawtayne, was unanimously carried. 
The President said that he believed all would concur 
with him in sending to Mr. Walker through the Secre- 
tary their best wishes for the coming year. 
The thanks of the Society were given for the following 
donations : — 
Mr. P. H. Nind, Portraits of Sir P. E. Woodhouse and Sir Wm. Snagg. 
Dr. Anderson, The Piccaroons. 
Dr. Macnamara, Tubercle Bacillus. 
Secretary of Quarantine Conference, Report of Proceedings. 
Mr. G. H. Hawtayne proposed what he said was 
customary at the last meeting of the year, to give the 
thanks of the members to the outgoing President and 
Officers for their valuable services. He (Mr. Hawtayne) 
thought that they all much regretted the absence of the 
President for a portion of the year, and he especially 
did so because he considered that the business had been 
conducted in an admirable way when he presided. The 
