president's ADDRKSS. 61 



now ill force prohibiting, under severe penalties, the cutting down 

 of a single tree without the knowledge and sanction of an 

 inspector, whose duty it was to take cognizance of, and deal 

 with, these matters. In addition to what the Italian Government 

 was directly doing in the way of planting and forming nurseries, 

 it was earnestly striving to create a national sentiment, by special 

 efforts to diffuse knowledge; and to make tree-planting a national 

 practice, by affording encouragement and the means for doing it. 

 The aid of the children, too, was enlisted in the work of planting 

 trees at specially arranged annual festivals — Arbor Days; they 

 were taught also to take note of the progress and welfare of tlie 

 young trees planted in preceding years, with intei'est and joy. 

 In this way Italy was evincing the true repentance which mani- 

 fests itself in action as well as in feeling. From what he had 

 seen and heard during his visit, he thought that he was not 

 mistaken in venturing to say that Australia might learn some 

 useful lessons from the experience and practice of his fatherland. 



Mr. J. H. Campbell, Hon. Treasurer, presented the balance 

 sheet for the j^ear 1908, duly signed by the Auditor, Mr. F. H. 

 Rayment, F.C.P.A., Incorporated Accountant; and he moved 

 that it be received and adopted, which was carried unanimously. 



