40
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31st, 1888.
[Read at the Annual Meeting, January 26th, 1889.]
With the exception of one branch of work (that of the Field Meetings) the past
year has been an uneventful one in the history of the Club, but the Council is
happy to report that, on the whole, the progress made has been satisfactory. The
Field Meetings held have been most successful, and will compare favourably with
those of any former period—a result owing, in great measure, to the kind
exertions and hospitality of some of our members.
During the year 1888, 54 members were elected ; the number of resigna-
tions and removals cannot at present be stated with certainty, but in any event the
roll of members will still maintain its average number, about 360 or 370. The
large accession of new members is a welcome and encouraging sign of the
popularity of the Club, and will fully compensate for resignations and removal of
old members.
The financial condition of the Club still continues to be a cause of great anxiety ;
the Council is almost weary of repeating the appeals on this point made to a certain
section of the members for so many years, but it may be accepted as an axiom
that the healthy condition and pleasant working of a friendly society such as ours
largely depends upon the prompt and regular payment of subscriptions by
members.
The acting Treasurer reports that a very large number of subscriptions are still
unpaid, and unless very soon a marked improvement takes place in this depart-
ment, the Council will be obliged to take vigorous measures, and by a revision of
the rules or otherwise, adopt the best course that can be devised to remedy
this very discouraging state of things.
Mr. Royle's business engagements still rendering the time of his return to
England very uncertain, the Council, having regard to the great trouble thereby
cast upon Mr. Royle, has arranged that another member should be requested to
take the office of Treasurer, at any rate until Mr. Royle's return. Mr. Alfred
Lockyer, an original member and firm friend of the Club, has consented to under-
take the duties. The Council begs to express its hearty thanks to Mr. Royle for
his services during his two years of office, and in particular has great pleasure in
acknowledging the obligations of the Club to Mrs. Royle and Mr. Thomas
Royle, junr., for their care in carrying on the work in connection with the
Treasurership during Mr. Royle's absence.
The six Ordinary Meetings held during the year have been well attended and
the business brought before them has been of very considerable interest. Field
Meetings have been held at Wanstead, Theydon Bois, Colchester (whole day),
Laindon Hills (in conjunction with the Geologists' Association), Upminster,
Bishop's Stortford (whole day), Maldon (two days), and Epping Forest (Annual
Cryptogamic Meeting) ; and a meeting at the British Museum was arranged by
Mr. C. O. Waterhouse and Mr. W. White, to whom the thanks of the Council
are due. Three of the Field Meetings, as above mentioned, have been rendered
more than usually pleasant. At the Upminster Meeting the Club was welcomed