NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 131

publication of reports and transactions, for the purpose
of spreading knowledge of acclimatisation, and inquiry
into the causes of success or failure; the interchange
of reports, &c., with kindred associations in other parts
of the world, with the view, by correspondence and
mutual good offices, of giving the widest possible scope
to the project of acclimatisation; the conferring
rewards, honorary or intrinsically valuable, upon sea-
faring men, passengers from distant countries, and
others, who may render valuable assistance to the
cause of acclimatisation.

MEMBERSHIP.

2. A subscriber of one guinea, or upwards, annually,
   shall be a member of the Society; and contributors,
   within one year, of ten guineas, or upwards, shall be
   Life Members of the Society; and any person who
   may render special service to the Society, by contri-
   bution of stock, or otherwise, shall be eligible for Life
   Membership, and may be elected as such by the
   Council or by any Annual General Meeting.

SUBSCRIPTION.

3. The Annual Subscription shall be payable on the
   1st day of October in each year, in advance, and shall
   be received by the duly appointed Collector, who, on
   receiving the same, shall cause the person so sub-
   scribing to be enrolled a member accordingly.

ELECTION OF COUNCIL.

4. The Society shall be governed by a Council of
   thirty-five members, to include Chairman, Vice-Chair-
   man, Treasurer, and Hon. Secretary, to be elected by
   ballot at the first General Meeting of the Society,
   seven of whom shall retire annually, but shall be
   eligible for re-election.

VACANCIES SUPPLIED.

5. In case of any vacancy occurring by death, or
   resignation, of any member of Council, or the non-
   attendance of any town member of Council, for the
   period of three months, the remaining members shall
   appoint another member of the Society to be a member
   of the Council, in the place of the deceased, or resigned,
   or absenting member, without such absence be caused
   by ill health, when, and upon the Council receiving
   such information from the absenting member, the
   Council shall abstain from electing a fresh member in
   his stead; provided that such vacancy shall not be
   supplied by the Council except after seven days notice
   given of the new member to be proposed, and in the
   presence of at least seven members of the Council.

GENERAL MEETINGS.

5. The Society shall hold General Meetings in
   January, April, July, and September, in each year,
   and five members shall form a quorum; at such meet-
   ings papers and other communications relating to the
   objects of the Society, and reports prepared by the
   Council, shall be received; and such discussions shall
   be encouraged as may be of value in propagating a
   knowledge of acclimatisation amongst the members and
   the public, and such business generally shall be disposed
   of as may be brought under consideration by the
   Council, or by any member thereof to the Secretary, or as a
   days previous notice thereof to the Secretary, or as a
   majority of two-thirds of the members present shall
   see fit to entertain and consider.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

7. The Council shall meet, at least, once a month,
   and five members, of whom the Chairman, Vice-Chair-
   man, Treasurer, or Hon. Secretary shall be one, shall
   form a quorum, and be capable of transacting the busi-
   ness of the Council, subject to such limitations as may
   be imposed by any bye-law of the Council, or rule or
   resolution of the Society which may be hereafter
   made.

POWER OF COUNCIL.

8. The Council shall have the sole management of
   the Society, and of the income and property thereof,
   for the uses, purposes, and benefit of the Society; and
   shall have the sole and exclusive right of appointing
   paid servants, as a manager, or assistant secretary,
   collector, and such other officers, clerks, and laborers,
   and at such salaries as they may deem necessary, and
   of removing them if they shall think fit, and shall
   prescribe their respective duties; and such Council
   shall have power to consider and determine all matters,
   either directly or indirectly, affecting the interests of
   the Society, and if they shall think fit to do so, shall
   bring the same under the notice of the members of
   the Society, at any General or Special Meeting; and
   to make such Bye-laws as they may deem necessary
   for the efficient management of the affairs, and the
   promotion of the objects of the Society, and for the
   conduct of the business of the Council, provided the
   same are not repugnant to the rules; to appoint one or
   more sub-committees for any purpose contemplated by
   these rules; and generally to perform such acts as may
   be requisite to carry out the objects of the Society;
   which Bye-laws are to be subject to ratification, or
   emendation, or rejection, by the next Annual or
   Special General Meeting of the Society, convened for
   that purpose; and it shall be the duty of the Council
   to exercise the foregoing powers as occasion may
   require; and to furnish reports of the proceedings at
   every Periodical and Annual Meeting of the Society.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

9. The Society shall have power to affiliate or
   associate itself with Societies of kindred objects and
   to found branch societies if desirable, and the Council
   shall have power to carry out any arrangements for
   this purpose, and to furnish any monthly or other
   reports.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

10. Minutes shall be made in books kept for the
    purpose, of all the proceedings at the general and
    special meetings of the members, and minutes shall
    also be made of the proceedings of the Council at their
    general and special meetings, and the names of the
    members attending the same, and such minutes shall
    be open to inspection by the members of the society
    at all reasonable times.

CUSTODY AND PAYMENT OF MONIES.

11. All subscriptions and other moneys payable to
    the Society shall be paid to the Treasurer, who shall
    forthwith place the same in a Bank, to be named by
    the Council, to the credit of the Society; and no sum
    shall be paid on account of the Society until the same
    shall have been ordered by the Council, and such
    order to be duly entered in the book of the proceedings
    of the Council; and all cheques shall be signed by the