THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
229
the Club a prominent position among the Naturalists' Societies of England, and
the desire of the Council is rather to extend the E.N., and, by publishing it
monthly, to enhance its interest and usefulness.
The Council has approved, and now submits to the members, the following
modifications of the subscription to the Club :—
That the Subscription shall remain as before, viz,, 10s. 6d. per annum, but that
each member wishing to receive the ESSEX NATURALIST shall subscribe a further
sum of 4s. 6d. in advance in each year towards the expenses of publication,
postages, &c.
That the Life Membership be £8 8s.
It is believed that this plan possesses several advantages. The Council will
know the number of copies to be printed ; the additional income (supposing
three-fourths of the members subscribe) will enable the expenditure to be met ;
only one of two or more members of a family need subscribe ; while those who
only desire to attend the meetings will not be called upon for any additional
subscription.
The Council thinks it best to obtain an expression of opinion from the
members before calling a Special Meeting for the consideration of the question.
Each member is, therefore, asked to fill in the enclosed post-card, and to post it
to the Secretary before the 29th instant.
Should the replies and the vote at the special meeting be favourable the
monthly issue of the ESSEX NATURALIST will be resumed as soon as arrange-
ments can be completed.
The matter is very simple—the Club was never in a more vigorous condition
than at present, but there is one great drawback ; the income is insufficient to
meet the increasing' expenditure. The Council begs that the members generally
will loyally and heartily support a proposal calculated to rectify this great defect,
and to place the financial affairs of the Club on a business-like and satisfactory
footing.
For the President and Council,
WM. COLE, Ho;. Sec.
November, 1890.
The great majority of the post-card replies received in response to the above
were in favour of the change, scarcely five per cent being unfavourable. The
Secretary was therefore instructed by the Council to call a Special Meeting for
the consideration of the proposals.
The President pointed out the reasons impelling the Council to ask for the
additional subscription, and the resolutions above set out were proposed by the
Secretary and seconded by Mr. A. Lockyer, the Treasurer. The Secretary also
read the opinion of Mr. Charles Browne, Hon. Counsel to the Club, on the
case submitted to him as to the legality of any such modifications of the
subscriptions.
After considerable discussion, in which Messrs. Linley, Elliott, Dalton,
Corcoran, Crouch, Fitch, Lockyer, Wire, and Cole joined, the resolutions were
carried.
The Secretary then moved, and Mr. Corcoran seconded, that the rules be
amended in accordance with the above resolutions, and that the particular rules so
amended be printed in the next circular and sent to members. This was also
carried.
At the Ordinary Meeting Mr. Walter Crouch was nominated as Auditor of
the Treasurer's accounts on behalf of the Council, and Mr. C. Ridley on behalf
of the members.