3i6 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
important if we could get a clause attaching a penalty to the 
false assumption of the title of veterinary surgeon. At present, 
I am sorry to say, upon the highest legal authority, we have 
no such penalty, nor have we anything in the charter which 
exempts us from parochial and other duties, from which it 
would be very desirable that we should be relieved. Not 
only would it be an actual relief, but the fact of the public 
knowing that we were recognised, and that the Government 
had thought fit to relieve us from those duties, would in itself 
be a circumstance tending to our exaltation. These objects 
are most important for us to attain, and I could only wish 
that our annual report contained statements showing their 
necessity. I hope the time will shortly come when the 
Council will energetically exert themselves to obtain them. 
The first point to determine is, what are the privileges we 
possess, what others do we want, and how can they best be 
obtained? My own impression is that our charter is a most 
important document, arising from the causes I have men¬ 
tioned, and that our best course would be to call a general 
meeting to determine to give up the existing charter, and 
apply for a new one. Such a new charter would undoubtedly 
be readily obtained, and we might embody in the clauses 
those conditions which would render it of great value in the 
estimation of the profession at large. 
Mr. Gamgee asked if the chairman was aware of any 
memorial having been sent to the north on the subject of 
Professor Dick's students being sent to the Royal College of 
Veterinary Surgeons ? 
The Chairman said he was not. 
Mr. Ernes said the charter cost .£700 or £800, and he 
thought an Act of Parliament would be sufficient, since all 
imperfections could be corrected by bye-laws which they 
could pass. 
The Chairman said very strenuous efforts were made a few 
years ago to obtain an Act of Parliament, but when it was 
brought before the house it was pooh-poohed, and did not 
succeed. When a body resigned its charter, and only asked 
for a new one, with certain additional clauses, the expense 
would not be more than half the original cost. If, however, 
the objects could be secured, £500 or .£600 would be 
admirably spent in obtaining them. 
The motion for the adoption of the report was then 
carried. 
A ballot was then taken for six members of the Council, 
Mr. Jex and Mr. Collins being appointed scrutineers. 
The following gentlemen were proposed: 
