President-Col. H. C. Rogers. Vice-Presidents-J. B. McWilliams, Richard Hall, H. T. Strickland. Treasurer-Miss Halliday. Executive Council-Mrs. Birdsall, Peterborough; Dr. Burnham, Peterborough; F. R. Yokome, Peterborough; W. K. Hall, Peterborough; Dr. Bell, Peterborough; Dr. Harrison, Keene; Dr. Ford, Norwood. Museum Committee J. B. McWilliams, Chairman; A. L. Davis, Peterborough; E. H. D. Hall, Peterborough; H. T. Strickland, Peterborough; Dr. Burnham, Peterborough; Richard Hall, Peterborough; C. McGill, Toronto; J. Forster, N. Monaghan; E. A. Peck, Peterborough; T. A. S. Hay, Secretary-Treasurer. In selecting executive officers for the year 1900, it is desirable to bear in mind that all members should show such interest in the Society as will ensure an active management of our affairs. The object and aims of the organization should be carefully considered, so that those selected for office during the coming year will work with the zeal and energy demanded by so good a cause. T. A. S. HAY, Secretary. IV. From The Wentworth Historical Society, through DR. STEWART. The Pioneer Wentworth Historical Society reports no diminution of the patriotic zeal animating its members, five of whom have been. elected during the year. Last fall arrangements were made as usual for a course of four lectures. The inaugural meeting was held, by kind invitation of our respected President, at his residence, on Monday, November 20th, 1899. A large number of members were present. Ten dollars were voted to the Laura Secord monument, and the Treasurer of the museum fund, Mrs. Edward Martin, reported a good balance on hand. On the invitation of the Hamilton Association, a conference was held, when the advisability of uniting to apply for rooms at Dundurn was unanimously agreed upon, and the Pioneer Wentworth Historic Society had the library room allotted to it. With such an historic habitat, the bare thought of worthily fitting it up must give an added impetus to the work of this Society, which during the year has been busily engaged in collecting documents and other papers of historic value. It has also been promised several articles of interest for the proposed museum at Dundurn. The following donations to the book shelves have been received with thanks: A complete set of the "Proceedings of the Bostonian Society," "Proceedings of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society," "The Lowell Institute Lectures"; complete sets of the Dominion Government Reports; also reports of an historic nature from the Ontario Government, with the report of the Royal Society of Canada. Mr. George Mills, Honorary President, has made a donation of most valuable books and papers. List of officers of the society :- First Vice-President-A. Mackay. Second Vice-President-Mrs. Edward Martin. Treasurer-John H. Land. Recording Secretary-Justin Griffin. Corresponding Secretary-Mrs. Fessenden. Executive Col. Henry McLaren, Mr. Adam Brown, Dr. Montague, Major Snider, Charles Lemon, Hon. J. M. Gibson, R. T. Lancefield, J. Pottinger, Senator MacInnes. V. From l'Institut Canadien de Québec, through MR. LUDOVIC BRUNET, President. Les conférences suivantes ont été données à l'Institut dans le courant de l'année. M. L.-O. David, le 1er mars 1899, nous a parlé de Lafontaine et Baldwin. M. David n'a pas manqué d'intéresser vivement son auditoire en rappelant les faits historiques de l'émouvante période de l'Union. M. Ulric Barthe, le 8 mars 1899, dans un entretien sous le titre de Une Heure de Flânerie à la Fin du 19ème Siècle, a prouvé qu'il avait l'esprit ouvert aux idées nouvelles, au progrès moderne. Le 16 mars 1899, "Françoise" (Melle Barry) attirait un public nombreux qui lui a prodigué ses applaudissements. Elle avait choisi comme sujet Carmen Sylva. Les qualités d'écrivain de Françoise ont été justement appréciées. Le 17 octobre 1899, à l'université Laval, sous les auspices de l'Institut canadien, M. Louis Herbette, conseiller d'Etat en France, a bien voulu exprimer les chaudes sympathies et le grand intérêt qu'il porte aux Canadiens-français de la Nouvelle-France. Le 3 novembre 1899, Sa Grandeur Mgr L.-N. Bégin, archevêque de Québec, cédant à de vives instances, a rappelé devant un public respectueux, des souvenirs de jeunesse et d'étude sur le Tyrol autrichien. L'Institut a été particulièrement sensible à cette marque d'intérêt et de sympathie de la part de son archevêque. Le 17 novembre 1899, M. Rodolphe Lemieux, avocat, député de Gaspé aux Communes, rafraîchissait nos souvenirs historiques sur la période classique des Pitt, des Fox, des Burke et des Sheridan. Un très nombreux auditoire a écouté avec beaucoup d'attention l'étude remarquable de M. Lemieux. Le 26 janvier 1900, M. Henri Bourassa, député de Labelle, a donné une conférence sur Le Rôle des deux Races anglaise et française au Canada. C'est un travail sérieux, et qui a créé une excellente impression; l'auditoire a écouté et chaleureusement applaudi le conférencier. L'Institut compte 316 membres actifs. Durant le cours de l'année nous avons perdu 11 membres par décès et démission, et nous en avons admis 35. Nous avons augmenté notre bibliothèque d'environ 130 volumes nouveaux, choisis avec soin dans les principales branches des connaissances humaines. Nous nous efforçons de tenir nos rayons au courant des plus récentes publications historiques, scientifiques, religieuses et d'économie politique. VI. From The Canadian Forestry Association, through The Minister of the Interior, recognizing the importance of the proper management of the timber wealth of Canada and of encouraging. its preservation and restoration, in 1899 appointed Mr. E. Stewart, then of Collingwood, Chief Inspector of Timber and Forestry. In entering upon his duties, Mr. Stewart recognized the fact that some organization for arousing and educating an interest in the subject would be of great assistance in carrying out the objects for which his office had been created. In view of the success which had attended the work of the American Forestry Association it was thought that an organization for Canada on similar lines would probably be able to accomplish what was required, and on January 8, 1900, Mr. Stewart sent out notifications to a number of gentlemen interested in timber and forestry, asking them to meet at his office on the 15th of that month for the purpose of considering the matter and deciding what steps should be taken. At this meeting there were present: Sir Henry Joly de Lotbinière, Mr. J. R. Booth, Mr. Jas. A. Smart, Deputy Minister of the Interior, Dr. Wm. Saunders, Mr. Wm. Little, Mr. Thos. Southworth, Clerk of Forestry for Ontario, Mr. E. Stewart, Chief Inspector of Timber and Forestry for Canada; Professor Macoun, Assistant Director of Geological Survey; Mr. Wm. Pearce, of Calgary; Mr. T. C. Keefer, C.M.G.; Mr. C. H. Keefer, C.E.; Mr. McKenzie, of Duck Lake, N.W.T.; Mr. W. T. Macoun, and others. Mr. Wm. Little was elected chairman, and Mr. E. Stewart, secretary. Mr. Stewart explained the object of the meeting and the steps which had been taken to call it together, and expressed great pleasure at its representative character. Dr. Saunders gave some account of tree culture at the Experimental Farms. Remarks were also made by Mr. Southworth, Mr. J. R. Booth, who spoke particularly in regard to fire ranging, and Sir Henry Joly. It was moved by Mr. Smart, and seconded by Professor Macoun, that Sir Henry Joly, Mr. J. R. Booth, Mr. W. Little, Mr. T. Southworth, Professor Saunders and Mr. E. Stewart act as a committee to call a meeting of all persons interested to be held during the month of February in the city of Ottawa, for the purpose of considering the formation. of an association to promote forestry in Canada, the committee to prepare for submission to the meeting a constitution and by-laws and also a programme consisting of addresses on appropriate subjects for discussion at the meeting. This resolution was carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned. In pursuance of the above the first annual meeting of the Canadian Forestry Association was held in the Railway Committee Room of the House of Commons, March 8, 1900. The meeting convened at 10 o'clock a.m., and Sir Henri Joly de Lotbinière was elected chairman, Mr. E. Stewart, acting as secretary. Sir Henri stated that a number of Canadians interested in Forestry had been connected with the American Forestry Association, but that there were very few of them left, and it was considered that it was now time to form an association for Canada, which could use its influence directly on our own people. He explained the steps which had already been taken leading up to the appointment of a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws, which would now be submitted to the meeting. A resolution was also passed making Rod and Gun in Canada the official organ of the Association. The adoption of a constitution and by-laws was then proceeded with. The objects of the association as stated in the constitution are as follows: (1) To advocate and encourage judicious methods in dealing with our forests and woodlands. (2) To awaken public interest to the sad results attending the wholesale destruction of forests (as shown by the experience of older countries) in the deterioration of the climate, diminution of fertility, drying up of rivers and streams, etc., etc. (3) To consider and recommend the exploration, as far as practicable, of our public domain and its division into agricultural, timber and mineral lands with a view of directing immigration and the pursuits of our pioneers into channels best suited to advance their interests and the public welfare. With this accomplished a portion of the unappropriated lands of the country could be permanently reserved for the growth of timber. (4) To encourage afforestation wherever advisable, and to promote forest tree planting, especially in the treeless areas of our Northwestern prairies, upon farm lands where the proportion of woodland is too low, upon highways, and in the parks of our villages, towns and cities. (5) To collect and disseminate, for the benefit of the public, reports and information bearing on the forestry problem in general and especially with respect both to the wooded and prairie districts of Canada, and to teach the rising generation the value of the forest with the view of enlisting their efforts in its preservation. MEMBERSHIP. Its members shall include all who pay an annual fee of $1 or a life membership fee of $10. OFFICERS. The officers shall include an honorary president, a vice-president, a secretary, an assistant secretary, a treasurer and seven directors. These officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the association and serve one year or until their successors are elected. Vacancies occurring during the year may be filled by the Executive Committee. The officers shall constitute an executive committee and five of the same shall be a quorum, and they will appoint a vice-president for each province and for each provisional district of the Northwest Territories. and Keewatin. The annual meeting of the Association shall be on the first Thursday of March, at the city of Ottawa, or at such other time and place as the previous meeting shall decide, a notice of one month of which shall be given to each member by the secretary. Special meetings shall be held at such times and places as the executive may decide, a sufficient notice of which shall be sent to each member by the secretary. |