ESSEX FIELD CLUB YEARBOOK, 1908.
Red-hills Exploration Committee.—This was formed so recently
as June 1906, as a Joint-Committee of the Club and the Essex
Archaeological Society, to investigate the age and origin of the
mysterious " Red-hills " on our Coast. Full particulars will be found
on p. 21.
Past Officers.—From the outset, the Club has been able,
fortunately, to secure as its officers gentlemen of high scientific stand-
ing, and the services they have rendered to it demand notice here.
The first President was Prof. Raphael Meldola, F.R.S., F.C.S.,
F.I.C, etc., who was elected at the Foundation Meeting in 1880.
Later, Professor Meldola again occupied the Presidential Chair; and
it is only right that the Club should acknowledge, in the warmest
manner, the great debt of gratitude which is owing to him. By his
excellent Inaugural Address and by many subsequent papers, he in-
fused into the Society an intelligent scientific enthusiasm, and imparted
to the meetings a high character which has continued during the whole
life of the Club. Prof. Meldola's position in the scientific world enabled
him also to engage the interest of many eminent naturalists, whose
communications and help have raised the tone and usefulness of the
Club's proceedings.
The succeeding Presidents were : Professor G. S. Boulger, F.L.S.,
F.G.S. (1883-84), Mr. Thomas Vincent Holmes, F.G.S., F.A.I. (1885-
1887), Mr. Edward A. Fitch, C.C, F.L.S., F.E.S. (1888-91), Mr, Henry
Laver, J.P., M.R.C.S., F.L.S., F.S.A. (1892), Mr. Frederic Chan-
cellor, J.P., F.R.I.B.A. (1893-94), and Mr. David Howard, J.P.,
F.I.C, F.C.S. (1895-1900). Each of these gentlemen, in turn,
rendered excellent services to the Club; but, in view of the special
circumstances, prominence should be given to Mr. Howard's period
of office, inasmuch as the settlement of our Essex Museum on its
present firm footing was due very largely to his wise counsels and
great experience as a business man.
In 1901 (the twenty-first year of the Club's existence), Professor
Meldola again accepted the Presidential Chair, which he occupied
for two years. At the Annual Meeting in the former year, he
delivered the admirable resume of the Club's work, already mentioned.
The next President (1903-4) was Mr. F. W. Rudler, I.S.O.,
F.G.S., whose lucid statement of the position of our Museums in his
second Presidential Address merits the Club's warm thanks.* He was
succeeded by Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., who still holds office.
As, by the Rules, retiring Presidents become Permanent Vice-
Presidents, the Club still benefits by their knowledge and experience.
It is a notable and gratifying fact that all our eight former Presi-
dents are still honoured members of the Club, and all have done
and are doing their best for its welfare.
The first Treasurer of the Club was Mr. H. J. Barnes, who gave
a very large amount of attention to its financial affairs in its early
days. He was succeeded in 1882 by Mr Andrew Johnston, J.P.,
always a warm friend of the Club, who held office for five years
(1882-87). He was succeeded in 1887 by the late Mr. Thomas Royle,
F.C.S., who was greatly assisted, during his absence abroad, by
Mrs. Royle. In 1889, Mr. Alfred Lockyer undertook this arduous
office, and carried it on for six years. In 1896, Mr. W. C. Waller,
F.S.A., became Treasurer, and to him, during his five years of office,
the Club owes much for his perseverance and skill during a period of
* See Essex Naturalist, xiv, pp. 1-21.