16 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
sphere of the operations of the Club was in his opinion highly interesting and
valuable as an educational agency. The Field Meetings were most enjoyable
and the work of the Club deserved the support of all intelligent persons.
Any service to the Club within his power would be most cheerfully rendered.
(Applause).
Mr. John Spiller in an appreciative speech, proposed a cordial vote of
thanks to the Officers of the Club, including the Auditors, Messrs. Crouch and
Cooper. Mr. Spiller particularly referred to the important services which
Mr. Waller had rendered the Club as Treasurer.
The President also referred to the work of Mr. Waller as being of great
value to the Club.
The vote of thanks to the Officers was carried unanimously.
Mr. W. Cole replied for the Hon. Secretaries, and Mr. Crouch for the
Auditors, Mr. Waller having to leave the meeting before the vote came on.
Mr. Howard then delivered his Annual Presidential Address, which
was mainly devoted to the consideration of "Field Work as Science Training"
and during which he gave some very interesting reminiscences of the condition of
Epping Forest in his young days. [Mr. Howard's Address will be printed in
the next number of the Essex Naturalist]
On the proposal of Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. W. Cole, a vote of
thanks was passed to the President for his address, and the Meeting ended,
tea and coffee being served as usual afterwards.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 3IST, 1896.
[Read and adopted at the 17th Annual Meeting held at Loughton, March 27th, 1897.]
Financial.—The general income of the Club shows an increase of £73 as
compared with the previous year—a result largely due to the action taken by
the Sub-Committee of the Council which was appointed to deal with
subscriptions in arrears, and to which allusion was made in the last Annual
Report. This increase in receipts was unfortunately accompanied by a
corresponding rise in the expenditure, and no material reduction in the adverse
balance brought forward has been effected. It should, however, be added that,
in addition to certain old liabilities, all those contracted during the year are,
with insignificant exceptions, included in the year's accounts, in accordance
with the special instructions of the Council. So that the Club started the
year 1897 with a fair prospect that the hopes expressed last year may find a
partial fulfilment in this.
The debit balance on the Publications Account has been further reduced
and now stands at something over £24 ; but, on the other hand, the Museum
Accounts are now both overdrawn. The expenses of the Central Museum
have, since the close of the year, been very considerably reduced, and it is
hoped that before long an arrangement may be marle whereby they will be to
a large extent otherwise provided for.
Although the Life Composition Account is represented by valuable assets,
the Council, deeming it desirable that it should be represented by an invested