announced in the newspapers as a protégé ofthe Rev. Dr. Lang, and had only lately arrived from England in the ship "Clifton." Mr. Blair, then a young man, displayed great ability and research in handling a subject which he seemed to have, not at his fingers' but at his tongue's end, and most unmistakably evidenced the possession of those powers with yvhich Victorians have since been well familiarized.
At this time, the first Melbourne Gas Company was in embryo, and its projectors were making great efforts to bring it favourably before the public, to help which some interesting lectures were delivered, one by the Rev. John Allen, on the 5th July, "On the Manufacture and Employment of Gas, to be considered more especially with reference to its introduction in Melbourne." The Rev. A. Morrison followed with a brilliant dissertation on "Astronomy;" Mr. C. A. Gilbert on "Mesmerism;" and Mr. W. S. Gibbon on "Physiology and the Circulation of the Blood."
On the 29th January, 1851, the annual meeting was held under the Presidency of Mr. D. C. McArthur. The number of members was 451. The receipts showed £721 16s., which included £51 17s. 2d. from previous year (1849). The expenditure (including £200 paid off the mortgage) was £715 11s. 4d., leaving a balance in hand of £6 4s. 8d. The revenue of 1850 had exceeded the estimate by £66 2s. 6d., and the mortgage debt was reduced to £600. During 1850, the Library had received an accession of 348 volumes by purchase, and 33 by donation, and now consisted of 4055 volumes. The Reading-room was well supplied with periodicals and newspapers, but the Museum was rather stationary.
In 1851, the Rev. W. Trollope, Mr. T. T. A'Beckett, and others lectured at intervals. In the first Session of the First Legislature of Victoria, a vote of £500 was passed in aid of the erection of a "Theatre" wherein lectures might be delivered, in addition to £150 for maintenance for 1852.
The probable incomings for 1852 were put down at £720, but the working expenses would be increased in consequence ofthe gold discoveries. During the year 381 standard and scientific works had been added to the Library, i.e., eleven by gift and the rest by purchase. There were now 4436 books in the Library, and the Reading-room was well supplied with Home and Colonial magazine and newspaper literature. The contemplated Theatre or Lecture-hall could not be put up for less than £1000, and to claim the Government moiety another £500 who have to be raised by private contribution. Already £300 of this had been subscribed. The Museum remained in a state of coma in consequence, as was alleged, of want of room. A Music Class had been formed, for which all the available talent in Melbourne had been obtained. Weekly concerts were held with success, and the funds of the Institution had been thereby increased.
Of what the future effected for the Institution, some notion may be obtained by a perusal of a few of the facts disclosed by the Report of the Committee of Management for 1881:— (1.) "The total revenue amounts to £2643 15s. 9d. The expenditure for ordinary purposes of the Institution is £2220 0s. 4d. (2.) The payment on account ofthe mortgage has reduced the original debt of £7000 to £5500, and this reduction has been made within the last three years. The mortgagee, Mr. T. B. Payne, has agreed to reduce the rate of interest on the unpaid balance to 5 per cent, per annum from 8th June, 1882. (3.) The number of members is about the same as last year (1400), for although since the date of the last Report 326 new members joined, almost as many ceased membership. (4.) Hie number of books added to the Library during the year is 552. About £350 has been spent for books and magazines, £213 for newspapers, and £82 for binding. (5.) The Reading-room and the Newsroom have been well attended. The number of issues of works from the Library exceeds 34,000. The total number of visits to the Institution may be roughly estimated at 165,000, exclusive of those to the halls and classrooms."
The Report of the Committee for the year 1887 contains the following:— "In presenting their Report for the past year, the Committee have great pleasure in congratulating the Members on the continued progress of the Institution.
"The gross Receipts for the year amount to £4134 8s., and the Expenditure to £3333 14s. 3d. The following are the details of the Receipts:- Subscriptions, £1561 1s. 6d.; Front Shops, £1080 10s. 9d.; Large Hall, £882 19s.; Small Hall, £383 2s.; Rooms, £198 12s. 10d.; Sales, £28 1s. 11d.
"Among the items of expenditure there is the large amount of £990 for interest on the loan of £18,000. This item will be considerably lessened when the term of the present mortgage expires, as your Committee have commenced the formation of a sinking fund for that purpose, which already amounts to £1250, and is bearing interest almost equal to that paid on the mortgage.
