The president occupied the chair and introduced Col. J.H. 
     
     Duvar who read a very excellent paper entitled "Some inquiry 
     
     into the Ethnology of the Island". 
     
    
   
   
    
     Remarks were made at the close of the meeting by Mr. E. 
     
     Roche, Mr. Bain and Dr. Leeming." 
     
     (N.H.S. Minute Book)_ 
     
    
   
   
    
     On Feb. 14, 1890, the Daily Examiner published this report on the 
     
     first annual meeting of the society: 
     
    
   
   
    
     The 
     
    
   
   
    
     "The annual meeting of the Natural History Society was held 
     
     yesterday afternoon as previously announced. The following 
     
     members were present: Hon. D. Laird, Hon. A.A. McDonald, 
     
    

    
     Charles Palmer, Q.C.; Dr. McLeod, Dr. Leeming, D. Montgomery, 
     
    

    
     Wm. Brown, John Newson, Geo. F. Owen, W.L. Cotton, L.W. Watson, 
     
     Donald McKenzie, Isaac Oxenham, Thomas May, John McSwain, 
     
    

    
     J.D. Seaman, Geo. E. Robinson, Mrs. R. Johnson, Miss Mattie Owen, 
     
     Miss Annie Johnson. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Mr. McDonald presided in the absence of the President, who 
     
     was delayed by official duties. After a few introductory 
     
     remarks by the chairman, the Secy—Treas. gave a statement of 
     
     the work of the society during the past year. It was organized 
     
     on the 26th of March, last, with six members. Now the member— 
     
     ship is fifty-two. The financial statement was then submitted, 
     
     showing a balance in hand of $38.54. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Several matters connected with the future working of the 
     
     Society were then discussed. Amongst others, the question 
     
     of embracing within the scope of the society the civil as 
     
     well as the natural history of the Province. This proposal 
     
     was well presented and advocated by Mr. Owen, and favorably 
     
     considered by many of the members present. By a vote of the 
     
     meeting the subject was referred to the Executive Committee 
     
     with authority to deal with it. 
     
    
   
   
    
     A cordial vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. J.D. McLeod, 
     
     who had generously granted the society the free use of his 
     
     Hall during the last summer. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Mr. Bain presented to the society a copy of his new book 
     
     on the Natural History of Prince Edward Island. A vote of 
     
     was passed expressive of the Society's appreciation of Mr. 
     
     Bain's valuable labors in the cause of science. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Mr. Watson gave notice of a motion to amend the by-laws of 
     
     the Society respecting the fees for membership. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The following officers were then elected for the ensuing 
     
     year: 
     
    

    
     Hon. D. Laird, President 
     
    

    
     Hon. A.A. McDonald, Vice President 
     
    

    
     D. Montgomery, Sec'y Treas. 
     
    

    
     Executive Committee — L.W. Watson, Francis Bain, John Newson 
     
     George F. Owen, John McSwain, Dr. Leeming, Wm. Brown. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The following have consented to read papers before the Society 
     
     during the coming year: L.W. Watson, on Car iVorous Plants; 
     
     Judge Alley, on 'The Indians'; Dr. Leeming, on 'Insects"; 
     
     Francis Bain, (Subject to be hereafter announced.)" 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     fee question was cleared up on July l4,fil090. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Fees "That members shall pay upon admission the fee of $1.00 
     
     and all members shall pay annually (upon the lst of November 
     
     or within one month afterwards the fee of $1.00). Non- 
     
     payment of this fee shall forfeit membership but members so 
     
     lapsing may at any time rejoin the Society under same 
     
     conditions as new members. Payment at any time of $5.00 
     
    
   
   
    
     shall entitle members to life membership." 
     
     (N.H.S. Minute Book) 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Natural History Society Public Lectures made a Strong impact 
     
    
   
   
    
     in Charlottetown and the surrounding districts and sometimes attracted 
     
    
   
   
    
     many non-members, 
     
    
   
   
    
     in addition to the educated and talented membership. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Daily Examiner reported on one of these society meetings as "some 
     
    
   
   
    
     of our best citizens were in attendance" and of course, 
     
    
   
   
    
     eighty—nine 
     
    
   
   
    
     years later, we would be the first to admit that nothing has changed!