REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. Presented to the General Meeting held at Lynton, 17 July, 1906. Ar the meetings of the Council held at Princetown in July, 1905, the ordinary routine business was transacted. The Winter Meeting of the Council was held at Exeter on 23rd February, 1906, at which, besides the usual general business, certain proposed alterations in the Rules of the Association were discussed and passed as recommendations from the Council to be brought before the General Meeting, of which notice has been duly sent to all members. Some verbal amendments to the Bye-laws were also made, and the following new Bye-law (No. 18) was added, viz. : "18. At the close of the Annual Meeting in every year there shall be a Meeting of the Council, and the Council shall then decide what Reports and how many of the Papers accepted for reading the funds of the Association, as reported by the Treasurer, will permit of being printed in the volume of Transactions for the year." The question of extending the usefulness of the Association and the best means of increasing its membership were also discussed. It was pointed out inter alia that funds are much needed to aid the various Committees appointed by the Association, not only to carry on their work, but also to adequately illustrate their Reports, all expenses being at present entirely borne by individuals, an arrangement which under the circumstances does not appear equitable. It was also considered desirable that a high standard should be maintained for the annual volume of the Transactions. It is obvious that with a membership of about 550, and the low annual subscription of 10s. 6d. now payable by members, there cannot be any funds available for the purposes indicated above, and it is therefore very desirable that the number of members should be largely increased. The discussion resulted in the Secretaries being instructed to take steps by circular or otherwise as might be deemed expedient to obtain new members, so as to raise the total number of members to 1000 if possible, that being considered the least number requisite to enable the Council to carry out the objects in view. Acting on these instructions, the Secretaries have prepared a circular inviting existing members to endeavour to enlist as many new members as possible, and those who are not already members to become About 600 copies of this circular have so far been issued to members and others, and it is proposed to send out in due course about 200 further copies to the clergy and other influential residents in the principal towns and districts of Devonshire. Seventy-five new members have been added to the list this year, about half of which number may be considered to be the result of this circular. So. A copy of Volume XXXVII of the Transactions for 1905 has been sent to the principal libraries and to certain learned societies as in previous years. J. BROOKING-ROWE, Hon. General Secretaries. PROCEEDINGS AT THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION, HELD AT LYNTON, 17 JULY TO 20 JULY, 1906. THE Annual Meeting of 1906 commenced under somewhat sad circumstances, for it was known to the officers, if not to the members generally, that serious illness would prevent the President-elect, Mr. F. T. Elworthy, from being present. He had been ill for some months, but it was hoped that he had recovered, and that a stay at Minehead had been productive of much good-so much so, that he was able to complete his Presidential Address. But unfortunately, early in July, Mr. Elworthy had a relapse, and his medical man was compelled to forbid his taking any part in the proceedings of the meeting, his weakness being such as to necessitate his being spared all fatigue, mental or bodily. Admirable arrangements had been made by the local Officers and local Committee for the reception of the Association. The Urban District Council placed at its disposal their fine Town Hall and the most convenient rooms therein. The Chairman of the local Committee, Mr. W. Riddell, who is also the Chairman of the District Council, Mr. Charles A. Briggs, and Mr. Vernon Pitt-Nind, the local Secretary and Treasurer respectively, did all in their power to make the first meeting of the Association in "the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth" a pleasant and successful one. The proceedings commenced with a Meeting of the Council, at which the necessary business was transacted, the Report of the Council for the past year decided upon, the Reports of Committees received, and the papers for reading at the meeting accepted. At the close of this meeting the time for the reception of the Association by the Urban District Council had arrived, and at 3.30 the members of this body with its Chairman, Mr. William Riddell, presiding, and the members and associates assembled in the Town Hall. Mr. Riddell extended a hearty welcome to the Association, and expressed the hope that all would enjoy the beautiful scenery and lovely air. There was plenty in the neighbourhood that would interest them-the encampment at Countisbury, the barrows at Parracombe, the fossil at Stairhole, and the curious rock in the North Walk among them. Dr. Brushfield acknowledged the welcome in a pleasant speech, and Professor Chapman also joined in the thanks, and said that he did not know any place in Devonshire with more attraction for the eye, the heart too, and the imagination than Lynton. The General Meeting of the members followed, and it was seen that a large number had already arrived. The Rev. William Harpley presided. The Report of the Council was received and adopted, as were also the Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts for the past year (see pp. 30-31). The adverse balance of last year-£35 15s. 5d.—had unfortunately been increased to £86 0s. 4d., and the Auditor thought that this should be discharged by a sale of some of the invested money. It was, however, pointed out that adverse balances in former years had been much larger than this, and had in time been cleared off, and that with economy this would soon be reduced. The suggested sale of stock did not find favour with the meeting, but it was considered that it was very desirable that the expenditure of each year should be met as far as possible by the income. The Report of the Committee on the place of meeting, etc., for 1907 was also received and adopted. It stated that an invitation had been received from the town of Axminster, and that the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Exeter, Archibald Robertson, D.D., had accepted the office of President, and that Mr. W. Pitfield Chapple would act as local Secretary, and various alterations in the Rules, of which due notice had been given, were made. By the kind invitation of Mrs. Jeune the members assembled at the Manor House, Lynmouth, later in the afternoon, where they were kindly received and hospitably entertained. In the evening the President, Mr. Basil H. Thomson, took the chair, and in retiring from the office thanked the members for the kindness extended to him during the past year. He regretted the enforced absence of the new President, and read a letter received from Mrs. Elworthy with reference to his state of health, and his great regret that he was prevented from attending, and expressing his satisfaction with the arrangements which had been made necessary under the circumstances. Mr. Basil Thomson then read the address which had been written by the President (printed, p. 40). On the proposal of Capt. E. B. Jeune, supported by Professor Chapman, a vote of thanks was given to Mr. F. T. Elworthy for his interesting address. The reading of Reports and accepted papers commenced on Wednesday morning, Dr. Brushfield in the chair. The following is the complete list : Twenty-fifth Report of the Barrow Committee. Twenty-fourth Report of the Committee on the Climate of Devon. Eleventh Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee. cis-} The Parishes of Lynton and Countis- Rev. J. F. Chanter, M.A. ditto Documents relating to the above Parishes II. Rev. J. F. Chanter, M. A. Rev. J. F. Chanter, M.A. Thomas Young, F.R.C.S. and Miss C. E. Larter. North Devon Pottery of Seventeenth] T. Charbonnier. Some Cryptogams of Braunton and Pages from a Manuscript History of J. M. Martin. Hatherleigh The Earliest Portion of "Testa de Nevill" J. Horace Round. . The Early Descent of the Devonshire Rev. T. W. Whale, M.A. Estates of Honours of Mortain and Rev. Oswald J. Reichel, M. A., D. C. L. The Accounts of the Head and Sub-Miss E. Lega- Weekes. sidiary Wardens of South Tawton. J West-country Wit and Humour. III. . J. D. Prickman. The Stone Rows of Dartmoor. VII. R. Hansford Worth, C.E. . R. Hansford Worth, C. E. After the conclusion of the day's business a visit was paid. to Glen Lyn, Mr. and Mrs. Tong having kindly invited the members and their friends to walk through their lovely |