the step was thought to be a somewhat bold and risky one, but the
result has amply justified the anticipations of those who believed
such a step to be for the best interests of this great Society. The
Report refers to many different subjects of peculiar interest at the
present time. A paragraph to which I am glad to call the atten-
tion of the Fellows is that which speaks of the number of applica-
tions which are constantly being made for information relative to
Colonial subjects. The Report also refers to the adn^ssion of
Colonial Government securities into the category of Trust Fund
investments, a proposal which has frequently been urged by the
Coimcil, and I am sure you will be pleased to learn that a Bill has
been submitted to Parliament for amending the law in this matter.
The subject of the McEinley Tariff is also referred to in the Report,
and very properly, because this is one of the most important subjects
that can attract the attention of the Institute. In connection with
this matter, the members will be pleased to learn that a committee
has been appointed by the Board of Trade to inquire as to expiring
commercial treaties, and that the views of the Colonies will be ascer-
tained before any new treaties are made. The great convention that
is about to assemble at Sydney on the subject of Australasian Con-
federation, the granting of Responsible Government to Western
Australia, and the great extension of British territory in Africa, are
among the other subjects mentioned in the Report, and I would call
your special attention to the paragraph recording the efforts of the
Council to introduce a better teaching of the history and geography
of the Colonies in the elementary and public schools. It has been
suggested, as a matter of convenience, that, before asking you to
adopt the Report, I should ask one of my colleagues to explain the
paragraph relating to an alteration of the rules, and then the whole
subject will be before you.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
186 Twenty-third Animal Oenerdl Meeting.
Mr. Nevile Lubbock : It appeared that the course proposed would
somewhat simpUfy our proceedings, because in the event of the
alterations being adopted, the Report can be put to you and adopted
as a whole. It is recommended that Bule 20 be altered by the
insertion of the words '* and remaining in the United Kingdom for a
period of three months " after the words ** any Non-Besident Fellow
arriving in the United Kingdom.** The rule, if this alteration is
adopted, will read thus : —
Rule 20—" Any Non-Resident Fellow arriving in the United
Kingdom and remaining in the United Kingdom for a period of
three months shall pay the Resident Fellow's Subscription of £2
per annum (less the amount already paid as a Non-Resident Fellow
for that year), and shall continue to pay the same during his tem-
porary stay in the United Kingdom.** Sir Frederick Young has no
doubt asked me to explain this alteration in the rules because it
was at my suggestion the Council adopted it. I had occasion to
visit our West India Colonies towards the end of 1889, and several
gentlemen who had been resident there for a good many years, and
had long been members of the Institute, complained very much
that instantly they set foot in England they received a bUlet doux
from our Secretary inviting them to pay an additional 19^. sub-
scription. There is probably some sentiment mixed up in the
matter, but no doubt to those who had been resident some years
in the Colonies, contributing to our funds, while at the same time
they had been unable to avail themselves of the full advantages
of the Institute, it seemed very hard that so soon after theiif
arrival they should be requested to make this extra contribution.
If, therefore, you accept this alteration, I am sure a good many of
our non-resident Fellows will be gratified. I was told when I
submitted the matter to the Council that of recent years the rule
has not been very strictly enforced, and that in fact the Secretary
has generally allowed a certain period to elapse before he has
made these demands. The adoption of the change in the rule will,
therefore, merely be regulating, as it were, what has in point of tByct
been the custom for some time past, and it will not, I understand,
affect our income.
The Chatbman : I now move the adoption of the Report and
Accounts.
Mr. Leonabd W. Thbupp : I have great pleasure in seconding
the motion. I believe that every year the advantages of this Institute
are more and more appreciated, not only by resident Fellows but by
our brethren from the Colonies. It is a sort of home where we can
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Twenty-thvrd Animal General Meeting. 187
all meet ; and not only so, but the Institute has become a most use-
ful place for obtaining information by those who are about to pro-
ceed to the Ck)lonies. The large Reference Library contains books,
reports, Acts of Parliament, and other sources of information which
would otherwise be widely scattered, and I myself have derived
great advantage from it. It is really one of the most handy places
of the kind in London. It saves trouble and also very often time
that would be lost in corresponding with distant Colonies. Alto-
gether I think you will agree that the Institute is doing a thoroughly
useful work, and it is therefore most gratifying to see that year by
year the scope of our operations as well as our membership is
increasing. I think this motion needs no further words of com-
mendation from me.
Mr. B. GoTTLB Qbeen : I am rather surprised that the proposal
is to extend the privileges of non-resident Fellows for only three
months. It is rather hard, I think, after a man has subscribed for
perhaps many years that he should be asked to pay the extra sub-
scription so soon after his arrival in this country, and if I am in
order I would suggest that the period should be extended to six
months instead of three.
Mr. J. Hennikeb Heaton, M.P. : I second that.
The Chaerman : The Council will be only too pleased to give their
fullest consideration to this matter, but meanwhile the Secretary
calls my attention to Bule 65, which requires that previous notice
shall be given of any proposal to alter the rules, and that has been
done in the case of the alteration recommended by the Council, but
not in the case of the amendment.
Mr. A. Badcliffe (Solicitor to the Institute) : I do not think
you can accept the amendment, because notice of any alteration in
the rules has to be posted in some conspicuous place in the rooms
of the Institute.
Mr. Nevile Lubbock : I may be allowed to point out that there
is considerable difference between the alteration as proposed in the
Beport and the amendment. The amendment would affect the
revenue to the extent, I believe, of about :C800 a year, and that is a
consideration that ought to be borne in mind. The feeling of the
Council was that they might be going a little beyond what the
Fellows might be willing to adopt, and as there appears to be a
technical difficulty in the way I would suggest that the amendment
should be deferred till the next annual meeting, when, provided
there is a general feeling in its favour in the meantime, we would
make arrangements to propose it.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
188 Twenty-third Annual General Muting.
The Ohairmam : Ton will observe from the attitade of the Cooneil
that theu: feeling is quite with that of the Fellows, bat, as there
appears to be a difficulty in the way, the better plan will be to post-
pone the amendment until the next annual meeting or until a
special meeting, remembering, however, that such a change mig^t
involve a loss to the Institute of perhaps £800 a year.
Sir John Goode, E.CM.G. : It is desirable, I think, that the
hands of the Council should be left free in this matter. It involves an
important point connected with our revenue, and perhaps the better
way will be to refer the matter to the Council with the pledge on
their part that they will take the proposal into their serious considera-
tion, and that if in the meantime they see their way dear to accept
the alteration they will come forward with a prqposal next year.
The Chaibman : Is that the feeling of the meeting ?
Mr. B. CoTTLB Gbeen : With the consent of my seconder I will
withdraw the amendment, but I shall bring the proposal forward
again next year unless in the meantime the Council think fit to
adopt it.
The Chaibman : The sympathy of the Council is quite with the
suggestion.
Mr. J. Hennikeb Hbaton, M.P. : It is some years since I last
spoke at an annual meeting of the Institute, and, like Bip Van
Winkle, I wake up to find almost the same Council proposed as
existed at that time. My relations with the Council have always
been of the most agreeable character, and it is in the friendliest
spirit therefore that I suggest that from time to time fresh blood
should be introduced into their body, with which view Fellows not
on the Council might be invited to tsJce part in their nomination, I
think also that the rules might be amended so that a common-
sense amendment such as that just suggested by Mr. Green
might be adopted at a meeting of this kind. The Council,
however, have met the suggestion in such a friendly spirit that
opposition is disarmed. I desire to congratulate the Council on
the splendid position attained by the Institute. The question is
whether the time has not arrived for securing even a larger
building than that you now possess. I certainly think the Institute
might be made even more popular by its being kept open till say
10 o'clock at night. I think many Fellows will agree with me that
they have been somewhat annoyed to find the doors closed at 6 p.m.,
and as early as 4 o'clock on Saturdays. I dare say there might be
some good reason why this is not done already, and that an exten-
sion of the hours would involve extra expense ; but even at the
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Twenty-third Anmial General Meeting. 189
eost of a few hundred pounds I think the boon would be much
appreciated by the Fellows. It is impossible, of course, to do any-
thing now, but I hope the Ck)uncil will take the matter into con-
siderationy remembering that there are many Fellows who might
deiire to drop in after the present hours in search of information
on some point in which they were interested. Another matter to
which I may call attention is this : that mention is made in the
Beport of several important and interesting subjects ; but nothing
is said about the dieapening of telegraphic and postal communica-
tion with different parts of the Empire. It is a curious {s^i that
though I know I have the sympathy of most members of the Council
they have not passed any resolution on the subject, although I
believe l^ey might considerably strengthen the hwds of members^
of the House of Commons by doing so. The present is a memorable
year in regard to this question, and I do think — apart from all
personal interest in the matter — that the Council might have made
some reference in their Beport to this important work. I dare say
there is hardly a gentleman in the room who has not experienced
the bffliefit of the reduction of postage, and now what we want is a
reduction in the charges for telegraphing. If the cable rates to
India werB reduced to 6{!. a word, and to Australia to Is. a word,
we should oftener use the cables than we do now. I know that
the hands of those agitating this question would be very much
strengthened by the Council taking some notice of it» and urging
the matter by petition to the House of Conunons.
The Chatkman : In putting this motion to the meeting, I may be
allowed to refer to one or two points raised by Mr. Heaton. I
entirely concur with the hon. member as to the desirability of a
body like the Council of this Institute being from time to time
reinforced by what he is pleased to call new blood, and I may direct
attention to this fact— that in the list of the Council now submitted
there are included the names of several gentlemen introduced
within the last two years, viz, : — Sir Henry Green, Mr. C.
Washington Eves, Mr. W. M. Farmer, Mr. Frederick Dutton, Mr.
John Paterson, Sir Saul Samuel, and Sir William Jervois. In view
of this fact, I think Mr. Heaton will not deny that even under the
present rigime there is a considerable infusion of new blood.
Mr. Henniebb Heaton, M.P. : I am quite satisfied with the
present Council, but I may say there is no member who has been
to New South Wales for i^e last ten years.
The Chaibmak : Yes, Sir Saul Samuel has been within the
last two years. As to the hours for keeping open the Institute,
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
190
Twenty-third Annual General Meeting.
I may inform Mr. Heaton that within the last two years the
experimept was tried of keeping open during the season till 7
o'clock, bat the extension was so little appreciated that the
Council felt bound to revert to the former hours. Of oourse»
the Council are always ready to try anything fresh that may
appear to be for the benefit of the Institute, but they have al*
ready tried this suggestion without any very satisfactory results.
Again, as to the veiy important subject with which the hon.
member's name is, I may say, imperishably associated^the
cheapening of telegraph and postal rates — the hon. member cannot
doubt that he has the sympathy of the Council in all his efforts in
that direction, and I may remind him that not very long ago he
was good enough to read to the Institute a paper on this very subject
— a paper which met with a most favourable reception. If the
question has been omitted from the Beport, I can only say that
we can hardly expect the Beport should be so complete as to leave
nothing to say, and if we live another twelve months, I have no
doubt we shall remember that a paragraph might very well be
devoted to this important question, which I hope by that time will
have made still greater strides.
The motion for the adoption of the Beport, and statement of
Accounts, was carried unanimously.
The Ghaibman : I have to announce that the ballot papers have
been carefully examined by the scrutineers, and that there is no
alteration in the list proposed by the Council.
The names are as under :
President,
HJI.H. The Punce of Wales, K.G., G.C.M.G., &c,
Vice-Presidents,
His Boyal Hiohmbss Princb Chbis-
TUN, K.G.
His Grace The Duke or Abqtll,
K.G.. K.T.
His Gbace The Duke of Suthbb-
LAND, E.G.
The Bight Hon. The Mabquis of
DuFFEBiM and Ava, KJ*., G.C.M.G.,
G.C.B.
The Bight Hon. The Mabquis of
LoBNE, K.T., G.O.M.G.
The Bight Hon. The Eabl of
Albemable, E.C.M.G.
The Bight Hon. The Eabl of Dun-
RATEN, E^.
The Bight Hon. Eabl Gbanyille,
K.G.
The Bight Hon. The Eabl of Boss-
BEBT.
The Bight Hon. Viscount Gbanbbook,
G.C.S.I.
The Bight Hon. Viscount Monck,
G.O.M.G.
The Bight Hon. Lobd Bbasbet, E.03.
The Bight Hon. Lobd Gablingfobd,
E.P.
The Bight Hon. Hugh G. E. Chil-
DEBS, f£JP,
The Bight Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P.
Sib WnJiiAif Mackinnon, Babt., G JLB.
Sib Ghables Nicholson, Babt.
Sib Henbt Babxlt, G.G.M.G., E.C3.
Sib Alexandeb T. Galt, G.G.M.G.
Sir Fbbdebick Young, E.G.M.G.
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Twenty-third Anmcal General Meeting.
191
CouncUhra.
Sib GB4BLE8 CuFTOBD, Babt.
Sib John Coode, E.G.M.G.
F. H. Danoab, Esq.
Oemxbal Sib H. C. B. DiuBBinBT,
G.C3.
Fbbdbbics Button, Ebq.
G. Washikoton Eves, Esq., C.M.G.
W. BiATNABD FaBMXB, EBQ.
Major-General Sib Henbt Gbeen,
K.C.S.I., GJB.
Sib Abthxtb Hodobon, K.G.M.G.
Lieut.-Gbneral SirW. F. D. Jbbvois,
G.G.M.G., G3.
H. J. Joubdain, EsQm.G.M.G.
F. P. db Labilliebx, Ebq.
Lieut.-Genebal B. W. Lowbt, G.B.
Neyile Lxtbboos, Esq.
Sib Ghablbs Mills, K.G.M.G., G3.
Jacob Montbtiobb, Esq.
J. B. MossE, Esq.
John Paterson, Esq.
John Bab, Esq., M.D., F 3.S.
Peter Bedpath, Esq.
Sib Saul Saiiuel, E.G.M.G., G.B.
Sib Fbanois Yxllenbutb Smith.
Sir Ghables E. F. Stiblino, Bart.
Sib James A. Toul, K.G.M.G.
Honorary Treasurer.
Sib Montagu F. Ommanney, K.G.M.G.
Mr. Abthub Glayden : Frise to move : *' That the thanks of the
Fellows be given to the Honorary Treasurer (Sir Montagu F,
Ommanney, E.G.M.O.), the Honorary Corresponding Secretaries in
the various Colonies, and the Honorary Auditors (Messrs. Peter
Bedpath and W. G. Devon Astle), for their services since the last
annual meeting." In my New Zealand home I have often thought
of this Institute as one of the best ofiScered societies in the world,
and I think the unique success which it has enjoyed justifies the
conclusion. A rumour reached me a year or two ago of a proposal
for affiliation with the Imperial Institute, but on the principle of
leaving well enough alone, I was thankful to find on my return to
England that the proposal has not taken any definite shape at present.
I have had my fears whether we are not getting a little too aristo-
cratic. The array of Lords, E.C.M.O.'s, &c., on the Council almost
led me to think that a plain Commoner like myself was hardly in
his right place in such an Institute. This aristocratic flavour, which
seems to be growing year by year, ^s rather more than an out-and-
out democrat like myself can quite understand. I am sure you
will take these criticisms kindly, and I hope if Mr. HennUser
Heaton*s suggestion as to the introduction of new blood into the
Council is acted upon that a few Commoners will be elected.
Democrat as I am, however, I heartily rejoice in our having as
President H.B.H. the Prince of Wales. The honour is mutual ;
but especially high honour is it to the Institute, and, if it is not an
impertinence, I venture to think His Boyal Highness is pre-eminently
worthy of the honour.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
192 TwenUf'third Annual General Meeting.
Mr. A. CowAK : I second the resolution.
The Chatkman : I will venture to make one remark, because I
feel rather sensitive on this point. I have been a good many jeard
connected with the Institute, and if Her Majesty has been pleased to
give me a title I am still the man I was, and as democratic as
I was when I was plain Frederick Young.
The motion was cordially passed.
Sir MoNTAon F. Ommanney (Honorary Treasurer) : It is a great
gratification to be able in the slightest degree to help forward the
work of this Institute, and I am sure the expression of your thanks
to-day will greatly encourage those who are able to render such
service.
Dr. John Bae, F.B.8. : I have to move '< That the thanks of
this meeting be given to the Secretary and the other members
of the permanent staff for their services during the past year.*'
I do not rise to make a speech, which is not in my line, but as a
constant visitor to this Institute, I can speak on this matter with
heartiness and sincerity at all events. I do not believe there is a
better staff in London or perhaps in England than we have here.
I refer to my friend the Secretary, not because he is my friend, but
because he is the friend of everybody here. I feel sure no one is
able to say that he ever came to this house and wanted to speak
with the Secretary, or to obtain any information, but he was received
with kindness and courtesy, or that he did not find in the Secretary
a man who knew his work thoroughly. From his acquaintance
with the Colonies and his training as a diplomatic secretary, he is
the right man for the work and always ready for it. If you go to
the Library, you there find Mr. Boos6 equally ready. He will find
you not only the book but very often the exact passage you want.
This is a Idgh qualification in a librarian. Ours is not an old
library but a new one, and its volumes are being added to day by
day. You go downstairs and there you find Mr. Chamberlain equally
ready and equally courteous, and so I might go on throughout aU
the departments. I am a member of several other societies in
London and elsewhere, and I know all the officials. They are equally
good, but somehow I not unnaturally have a preference for our own.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. John Fulton and carried.
The Secbetabt (Mr. J. S. 0*Halloran) : In rising to return
thanks for the vote you have been kind enough to pass, permit me
to assure you that tiie members of the permanent staff share with
you a feeling of pardonable pride in the remarkable growth of this
Institute, and that we have likewise a firm faith in its future. The
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Twenti/'thdrd Annual General Meeting. 193
" tender plant '* to which Lord Bury compared it when he presided
over the inaugural meeting twenty-three years ago has developed
into a healthy and vigorous tree, with ample room for extension in
the world-wide area over which its operations extend. The Colonial
movement has simultaneously come to the front with giant strides.
The value of the Colonies is more adequately appreciated by the
people of this country, who are beginning to adopt the practice
which has long prevailed in this Institute of writing the word
Colonies with a capital G ; nor are the susceptibiUties of Colonists
wounded by seeing items of Colonial intelligence relegated to the
category of " Foreign News." This advance in pubUc opinion is very
gratifying to all who seek to maintain the unity of the Empire.
For myself and my colleagues, I will only say we consider we are
engaged in a noble and patriotic work in endeavouring, imder the
wise guidance of the Council, to promote the objects of this
Institute, and we hope that those who come after us will be able to
testify that our efforts in the cause have not been altogether futile.
Dr. C. E. Stbutt moved : " That the thanks of the Fellows be
accorded to the Council for their services to the Institute during
the past year, and to the Chairman of this meeting for presiding."
It is quite unnecessary for me to make any remarks in support
of this motion. I will merely remind Mr. Clayden that a
monopoly of intelligence is not granted to Demos, and that the
aristocratic element, if it does predominate on the Council, has not
hitherto served us badly.
Mr. Hbnnikeb Heatok, M.P. : I should like to be allowed to
second the motion, and to say that I join with previous speakers
that we are proud of the way the Institute is managed.
The motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.
The Chairman : On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I beg to
return you hearty thanks for the compliment you have paid us.
The efforts of the Council are at aU times directed to the promotion
of the work for which this Institute was founded. I may mention
that the Council meetings, which take place every fortnight during
a large part of the year, are remarkably well attended, and I think
that is evidence in itself of the interest taken in the work.
The proceedings then terminated.
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194
FIFTH OBDINAEY GENERAL MEETING.
The Fifth Ordinary General Meeting of the Session was held at
the Whitehall Booms, Hdtel ^^ropole, on Tuesday, March 10,
1891.
The Bight Hon. Lord Brassey, E.G.B., a Vioe*President of the
Institute, presided.
The Minutes of the last Ordinary General Meeting were read and
confirmed, and it was announced tiiat since that Meeting 28 Fellows
had been elected, viz., 14 Besident and 14 Non-Besident.
Besident Fellows : —
The Rt Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen, Revd. Joseph W. Ashman, M,A,, M.D.,
Major Edward Daubeney, the Hon, John W. Fortescue, W. B, Hervey, Colonel
Charles F, La Costs, R,M., William M. Molle, John Muirliead, Dr, Augustus
Nicollt Captain C. W. H. Page, John Rogerson, Dr, T, Irvine Rowell, C.M.G.,
James C. Semple, F,R,0,S., Francis G, Smart, M,A,
Non-Besident Fellows : —
Thomas Andrews {Transvaal), Alexander Begg (British Columbia), Hon,
Alfred Dobson {Solicitor-Oeneral, Tasmania), Alfred E. Jaques {New South
Wales), WoolfJoel, J,P, {Cape Colony), Alexander J, Miller {Victoria), Alfred
Naudt, LL.D, {Member of the Council of Oovemment, Malta), Melmoth
Osbom, CM.O, {Resident Commissioner, Zululand), John Reed {India),
Arthur W, Roas, M,P, {Canada), Edward R. Wells (Cape Colony), Thomas
Wilkinson (Mauritius), Robert Williams (Transvaal), R, A, Zeederberg (Cape
Colony),
It was also announced that donations, to the Library, of books,
maps, &c., had been received from the various Governments of the
Colonies and India, societies and public bodies both in the United
Kingdom and the Colonies, and from Fellows of the Institute and
others.
The Ghaibman : I have now the pleasure of introducing to you
Major-General Sir Bevan Edwards. It is hardly necessary to
remind you that General Edwards is the officer who, being in com-