The reduction of the government grant again hampered publication but, more particularly, attention to the library where, through inability to carry out book-binding, serious losses of parts of publications were resulting.

The prevailing financial difficulties of 1897 which contributed largely to a sharp reduction in the number of financial members brought about a financial crisis which was met in a threefold way. A special sub-committee reporting on 'ways and means' prepared recommendations, which were later approved by the Society, for the following:

1. The letting of the present hall for a period of years, together with the securing of rooms more central in the city which would probably retain existing members and help in obtaining new ones.
2. The holding of an annual dinner, at which all members would be invited. (In later years this became a feature of the annual activities of the Society.)
3. The abolishing of the entrance fee for new members to the Society. This was approved for a trial period of 3 years.

Actual experience soon showed that the first of these recommendations was impracticable, but the others produced some improvement in the membership of the Society. However, the reduction of the government grant in the following year to £50 only aggravated the position, and the Society continued struggling.

Royal Society of Victoria