32 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
They also reported that the following had been elected as officers for 1891 :
President, Mr. E. A. Fitch ; Treasurer, Mr. A. Lockyer ; Hon. Secretary, Mr, W.
Cole ; Assistant Hon. Secretary, Mr. B. G. Cole ; Librarian, Mr. A. P. Wire.
Mr. Fitch warmly thanked the members for re-electing him as their President.
In accordance with the unwritten law of the Club, he had exceeded the usual term
of office, but his colleagues were anxious that he should continue during the
settlement of the scheme of amalgamation, and as he had taken very great interest
in the question of the Museum he was very happy to assume the pleasant duties
of President for another year. As so much important business lay before the
meeting, he had thought it best to omit the usual Address on this occasion.
Mr. Varley proposed a vote of thanks to the officers, which was seconded by
Mr. Cohn, and carried unanimously.
The President then declared the meeting a Special one, for the purpose of con-
sidering the scheme for the amalgamation of the Essex and Chelmsford Museum with
the Club, and other matters, in accordance with the notice given at the last meeting.
The President then read the scheme (which is printed in full in the Essex
NATURALIST, vol. iv. pp. 236-241, and also separately) and in doing so alluded to
the cordial relations which existed between the present Committee of the Museum
and the Club, and the friendly way in which the somewhat difficult negotiations
for the amalgamation had been carried on by the Joint Committee appointed for
the purpose. The scheme had been unanimously passed by the Joint Committee
and by the Council of the Club, and it was now submitted to the members.
Professor Meldola, in an earnest speech, strongly recommended the scheme to
the favourable consideration of the meeting The formation of a really good
local Museum had always an object with the Club—they had made progress in
gathering materials, and a scheme had been much discussed some years
ago, but they had never been able to meet with sufficient support. The present
scheme had been carefully drawn up by their Secretary, and had been fully con-
sidered and unanimously agreed to by the representatives of the two bodies ; it
had been received with approval by all their colleagues, and as far a; he could
learn by all the members. If a local Museum was to be established in Essex,
Chelmsford was certainly the best site for it—as being the county town, and as
occupying a very central position. He therefore begged to move :—
" That the plans for the amalgamation of the Essex and Chelmsford Museum
with the Essex Field Club, and for the establishment of a Local Museum, as set
forth in the scheme, be adopted."
Dr. Thresh, as an inhabitant of Chelmsford, and as a member of the Club,
seconded the resolution. He pointed out the advantages to the county town, and
the advantages which would accrue to both the Field Club and Museum by the
amalgamation, adding that the Museum would be built up and made worthy of
Essex by the labours of the Field Club, and the latter would add a local habitation
to its name. Unfortunately in many respects Chelmsford had not taken the
position which a county town might be expected to take, more particularly in
regard to education. It was quite time some effort was made to shake off this
indifference, and to realise that there were responsibilities as well as privileges
attaching to the position of county town of such a district as Essex. With the
erection of a new Grammar School one reproach would be wiped away; whilst,
by the amalgamation of the Field Club and Museum, another would be removed.
Mr. J. Taylor owned to a feeling of regret that the words "Chelmsford
Museum" did not in any way form part of the title of the new Society.
The President pointed out that the Committee had thoroughly considered the