TO HIS HONOUR THE LIEUT. GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL

The Memorial of the undersigned respectfully showeth:

That it is generally recognized as a matter of sound policy to encourage the formation and maintenance of societies devoted to the study of the Natural Sciences and to historical research:

That in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as in the larger provinces of the Dominion, the Local Governments have for many years extended assistance to all such societies by providing them with free quarters in the provincial buildings and by money grants:

That in this Province a "Natural History and Antiquarian Society" has been in existence for thirteen years and, though it has had to struggle on unaided, the efforts of its members, as notably in the case of the late Francis Bain and others, have not been without practical results: '

That it is also generally felt that valuable information and records, relating to the early history of this Province, are yearly being irretrievably lost, that might be secured if adequate encour— agement were accorded to those who are desirous of prosecuting research in this department and if provision were made for conserving the results of their efforts:

That by the munificence of the Hon. Thos. Dodd, the sum of five thousand ($500099) dollars is now available for the establishment of a Public Library, and if the problem of securing a suitable home for it could be solved, there is every reason to believe that its main- tenance could be satisfactorily provided for:

In View of these facts your memorialists are of opinion that it would be in the best interests of this Province if a room in the Provincial Building were placed at the disposal of those willing to undertake the furtherance of the foregoing objects, to be used:

(A) as a place of meeting

(B) to enable the Natural History and Antiquarian Society to proceed with the formation of a Museum for the Province

(C) to encourage the donation of information and records relating to the early history of this Island by rendering it possible to make proper provision for their preservation

(D) and to provide for the establishment of a Public Library, the need of which is yearly becoming more sensibly felt,

and they are of opinion that these advantages would be still further

increased if, in accordance with the policy adopted elsewhere, a

small money grant were made to enable such societies to print reports

of their proceedings, and to place themselves in a position to secure

exchanges from kindred societies abroad.

And your memorialists, as in duty bound will ever pray

Signed:

Petition, l90l