ANNUAL REPORT.
37
The Club was founded in the last months of 1879 by meetings called
together by Mr. W. Cole, and the issue of a very large number of letters to
the leading inhabitants of the County. The original advertisements,
prospectuses, and the Rules were drawn up by Mr. Cole, and settled by the
late Charles Browne, M.A., who acted as the first Hon. Counsel to the Club.
The Inaugural Meeting took place on January 10th, 1880, at the rooms of the
Epping Forest Art Classes, St. John's Villas, Buckhurst Hill. Mr. Meldola
was unanimously chosen as the first President, and it is in the recollection of
all the original members of the Club how much the Society owes to his
guidance and scientific knowledge. His address delivered at the first
Ordinary Meeting of the Club on February 28th, 1880, clearly laid down the
lines upon which the policy of the Club was founded, and since that period
Prof. Meldola has ever been ready with advice and assistance in the conduct
of the affairs of the Society. Mr. Meldola retained office for three years; then
Prof. G. S. Boulger took the post of President for two years, to be succeeded
by Mr. T. V. Holmes, who filled the chair from 1885 to 1887. Mr. E. A. Fitch
was President for four years (1888 to 1891). Then Dr. Henry Laver served
for one year and Mr. Chancellor for two years. Mr. Howard was elected in
1895, and consequently has filled the office for six years. The Council most
gratefully acknowledge the. great value of the services of these gentlemen ;
under their guidance the Club has maintained a high position among similar
societies. It is a matter of great satisfaction to say now that the Club is in a
fair way of accomplishing all the objects laid down in the original Rules and
in Prof. Meldola's Inaugural Address.
Second only in importance to the President is the office of Treasurer, and
the Club has been fortunate in securing the services of gentlemen who have
given much time and labour to its arduous duties. Mr. H. J. Barnes was
the first Treasurer, acting during 1800 and 1881; then Mr. Andrew Johnston
held the office during five years from 1882 to 1886; Mr. Thomas Royle acted
during 1887 and 1888. Then Mr. A. Lockyer was Treasurer for seven years
from 1889 to 1895, and in 1896 Mr. Waller took the office which he resigns
to-night, after acting for six years.
Mr. W. Cole was the first Honorary Secretary. It may be noted that he
has attended in this capacity every Meeting and Committee Meeting of the
Club, with the exception of three Field Meetings, once through illness and
the others from business connected with his duties under the County Council.
Mr. Cole has also edited the Club's publications from the beginning and has
reported every Meeting in full in the publications of the Club and in the
Minute Books.
Mr. B. G. Cole has served as Assistant Hon. Secretary since his first
election in 1882, and on him has mainly fallen the trying and sometimes
unpleasant task of conducting the business details of our numerous Field
Meetings.
The Club owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. A. Lockyer, who was the first
Librarian, and who inaugurated the system of exchange of publications with
other societies. He served in this capacity until 1886. In 1887 Mr. Wire
took the office and 1893 was joined by Mr. E. Durrant. Mr. Lockyer acted
in 1889 and 1890. Mr. W. C. Waller acted as one of the Librarians during