THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
49
On retiring from the Presidency (after six years of office), Mr. Howard
under Rule IV. becomes one of the Permanent Vice-Presidents of the Club.
No other Members having been proposed for any office, the above gentle-
men stood elected as Members of the Council and Officers for the year 1901,
and were so declared by the Chairman.
Prof. R. Meldola having taken the chair as President, Mr. Howard in
concluding his long term as President congratulated the Club on the position
it had attained as the result of its 21 years work and thanked the members
heartily for the confidence they had reposed in him during his six years of
office. Mr. Howard then continued his remarks in the form of an address
which is printed in the present part of the Essex Naturalist.
Prof. Meldola first returned thanks on his own behalf for the honour
conferred upon him by his re-election as President after an interval of seven-
teen years. And he begged to move a very cordial vote of thanks to Mr.
Howard for his long services as President. All connected with the Club
knew the care and attention Mr. Howard had given to its affairs during years
of considerable difficulty. It was very satisfactory to know that they would
still have Mr. Howard's services as one of the Permanent Vice-Presidents,
and also in the onerous post of Treasurer, the duties of which had been
carried on with such good results by Mr. Waller. He was sure they had all
listened with pleasure to Mr. Howard's remarks that evening, and hoped to
read them in the pages of the Essex Naturalist.
Mr. Walter Crouch cordially seconded the vote of thanks, which was
carried unanimously amid applause.
Mr. Howard briefly returned thanks. He said that he handed the affairs
of the Club to their new President with every confidence, and he viewed the
future of the Club as one full of hope.
Mr. Hugh McLachlan proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the
officers, including the Hon. Counsel and Solicitor and the Auditors, for their
services during the past year. And he particularly wished to record the sense
of gratitude of the members to Mr. Waller for his long and successful work
as their Honorary Treasurer. The work of the Auditors had also been most
valuable, and deserved their warmest thanks.
Mr. G. E. Vaughan seconded the vote of thanks to the officers, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. H. J. Coburn, as Hon. Solicitor, thanked the meeting on behalf of
the officers, collectively.
This concluded the ordinary business of the Annual Meeting. Mr.
Vaughan brought forward the subject of erecting memorial tablets to eminent
Essex Naturalists, &c., in churches in the county. After a long discussion
Mr. Vaughan withdrew his proposal for the present.