ON SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS (DUBLIN).
xxiil
Royal Dublin Society.
IV.
That the Royal Dublin Society was originally intended, according to its charter, for the encouragement of husbandry and other useful arts.
Its scope was subsequently extended, and educational functions in art and science were assigned to it.
There is, however, nothing now in the circumstances of Ireland which renders it, expedient that the technical and scientific instruction given in that country, at the expense of the State, should be entrusted to the management of a body of private gentlemen, rather than to"a public scientific institution, as in England.
V.
That the Royal Dublin Society should be relieved of those educational functions for the management of which it is not specially adapted.
It has been proved by unanimous testimony, that the establishment of a veterinary school would be of.
great importance to Ireland.
This would legitimately fall within the pro¬ vince of the Royal Dublin Society.
Their agricultural chemist should also be retained.
The Royal Dublin Society having, moreover, been entrusted with funds for forming a Botanical Garden, a Museum of Natural History, and a Library, it is expedient that it should be enabled, without further loss of time, to make these several departments efficient and complete ; and, also, that it should be assisted in obtaining proper facilities for its cattle shows and periodical exhibitions of manufactures.
These objects would be effected by the grant of the sum of money recommended hy the Report of the Commissioners of 1S62, and approved of by the Secretary of the Treasury, June 1863, being placed at the disposal of the Royal Dublin Society, together wjth rfjch further grants, annual or otherwise, as Parliament may judge necessary, to enable the Society to carry out its duties; certain conditions should be attached to the granting of the funds necessary to effect these objects.
Council.—Such
a modification of the charter and bye-laws of the Society should be effected as shall delegate to the Council the general management of the Society, the appointment, control, and dismissal of officers, and full authority to act on its behalf.
Library.—The
Resolution unanimously agreed to by the Committee on the * Royal Dublin Society of 1836, "that books should not be lent out of the library," should he accepted by the Society.
Admissions to read should be obtained on presentation to the librarian of a recommendation, signed by a member of the Royal Dublin Society, or at the discretion of the librarian on the recommendation of two respectable persons-Museum.—The
Museum should be opened to the public on Sundays after the hours of Divine Service.
Botanical Gardens.—The
Botanical Gardens should be open to the public every day of the week free of charge, as at Kew.
On two days in the week they might be closed till two o'clock for the delivery of lectures, for shifting plants, and for cleaning.
Museum of Irish Industry.
VI.
That the Museum of Irish Industry should be placed on a similar footing to that of the Jermyn-street Museum, as regards its collections, professors, and lectures, or those lectures and collections might be extended to the illustration of such other industrial objects as may be sanctioned by the Government The museum of this institution should be opened to the public on Sundays, after the hours of Divine Service.
VII.
That courses of systematic lectures entirely free are inexpedient, and that henceforth it shall be no part of the duty of any lecturer to deliver such lectures gratuitously.
It has been proved thai free courses of popular lectures have been productive of good, and might be given occasionally with advantage.
VIII.
That all systematic instruction followed by examination and prizes or cer¬ tificates of competency should be given under the direction and control of one officer, responsible to Government for the efficiency of the system, under similar arrangements to those existing in Jermyn-street.
495.
c 4 IX.
That
