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Hall, Fenay Hall, and Almondbury; and to Bilborough Hall, Nun Appleton Hall, and Bolton Percy.

Sir Reginald Graham, Bart., Mr. Guy Thomas Fairfax, the Bishop of Beverley, Colonel Brooke, Mr. J. A. Brooke, Mr. Angus Holden, and the Clergy of the different churches very courteously received the members and described the various places visited.

The Society have been fortunate in having had presented to them, by Messrs. Whitaker Bros., Messrs. Geo. Depledge & Co., and Mr. T. H. Dodgson, the Bell, dated 1757, which formerly belonged to the White Cloth Hall, and was rung at the opening and close of the Market, and the Society's warmest thanks are due to those gentlemen.

The following figures, giving the number of members elected in each year of the Society's existence, will be interesting as showing its growth:

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The years 1892 and 1896 were years of special energy in the direction of making the Society better known, and it is gratifying to think that the labour expended on this work has been productive. The work done in 1896 has probably not yet produced its full result, as it is believed that the desirability of joining the Society is under

consideration at several American and other Libraries. It is believed that as the Publications become better known the number of Library Members will be largely increased. The Council are desirous of including as many members of this class as possible on the Roll, since a Library is a perpetual Life Member who never dies and does not compound. The following is a list of the members of this class already appearing on the Society's Register :

Public Library of the City of Boston, U.S.A.
The Royal Library, Berlin.

Chetham's Library, Manchester.

Dewsbury Public Free Library.

The Guildhall Library, London.

Leeds Public Library.

Leeds Library.

Leeds Mechanics' Institution and Literary Society.

Leeds Church Institute.

Manchester Free Library.

Newcastle Literary and Philosophical Society.
New York State Library.

Sheffield Public Library.

The most important event of the year, and one which it is hoped will have a beneficial effect upon the future history of the Society, is the securing of permanent premises. Among the objects for which the Society was formed, the first named in the Rules is "The collection and preservation of books, pamphlets, MSS., deeds, engravings, drawings, coins, antiquities, and other objects relating to the town and neighbourhood of Leeds."

Little has been done or could be done in this direction for want of suitable premises. Through the energetic

action of the President, this difficulty is now removed. By arrangement with the Yorkshire Archæological Society, the Library and ten other rooms, part of the old Medical School in Park Street, have been secured for a term of years at a moderate rent, with an option of purchasing the whole building; and the Annual Meeting at which this Report will be presented will be the first meeting of the Society held in its new premises.

The Council are glad to be able to record the receipt of valuable additions to their collection since the above premises were secured. Not only has the Bell before referred to been presented to the Society, but several other gifts have been received, including 100 volumes of Local Books presented by Mr. James Miles, Bookseller, a member of the Society.

The Council hope that they will have the co-operation of all the members in securing other additions to their collection. It should not be overlooked that a gift of small intrinsic value individually, when added to other similar contributions, helps to form a valuable collection.

The Council also appeal to members to make the work of the Society better known amongst those interested in the subject. The taking of premises involves a considerable outlay, and though it is believed that the Annual charges in respect of rent, &c., will be largely met by sub-lettings, it will be seen from the Treasurer's Account that the cost of preparing the premises has already entailed an outlay of nearly £50. The Council hope by securing a considerable addition to the number of members to have funds available, not only for the additional outlay entailed, but for the purpose of securing, by purchase, objects of interest which come into the market from time to time.

V.

The Council beg to refer to the question of subscriptions. On the 31st of December, 1896, the subscriptions of no less than thirty-eight members were in arrear, and as the Rules of the Society preclude the issue of Publications to members whose subscriptions are unpaid, want of punctuality largely adds to the labour of the Treasurer.

The Council desire to call attention to the fact that during the year 1896 no less than £37 10s. 9d. has been received in respect of the sale of back Publications. The Council have been anxious from the first to avoid an error frequently committed by similar Societies, who print but a few spare copies of their Publications, so that the Publications for the earlier years soon become out of print. Since the formation of the Society no less than £90 os. 9d. has been received under this head. The unusually large amount received in 1896 resulted partly from a special letter written to those members only who joined in the fourth year of the Society's existence. The Council hope that more members, who joined after the date of the formation of the Society, will take an early opportunity of completing their sets. The back parts are issued in bound volumes, and early application should be made to the Treasurer for the volumes required.

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