^'^i; ^^-"^-J State Secretaries' Reports. lOQ 



Queensland. 

 Activity in tlic ornithological world of Oucensland during the 

 past few niontlis has centred chiefly in the operations of the (}ould 

 League of Bird-Lovers. Abandoning the practice of giving 

 formal lectures, this body has conducted of late a series of con- 

 versaziones, a particular family of native birds being discussed 

 at each monthly meeting. On each occasion the leader of the 

 discussion was a member of the R.A.O.U. — viz., Messrs. A. H. 

 Chisholm (Cockatoos and Parrots), J. O'Neil Brenan (Game Birds), 

 H. A. Longman (Birds-of-Parachse), G. H. Barker (Honey-eaters), 

 and Dr. R. H. La Barte Cummins (Flycatchers and Robins). It 

 had been intended to close the series with the September fixture, 

 but the success of the meetings prompted the adoption of a 

 recommendation to the council of the League making for their 

 continuance. 



Local members of the Union have also been closely interested 

 in matters affecting the National Parks (of which Queensland has 

 two large and seven small ones), chiefly the big reservation on 

 the Macpherson Range. The Bunya Mountains " Park " is being 

 made accessible through the efforts of the pubUc-spirited citizens 

 of Dalby, but, so far from the' larger reserve being made available, 

 its primeval beauty and wonderful birds (including Menura and 

 Atrichornis) have been menaced. One point in this connection 

 is explained in the following paragraph, clipped from the Brisbane 

 Courier of 7th September : — " Unusual features attached to 

 proceedings before the Brisbane Land Agent yesterday in a case 

 which concerned the Queensland National Park, Macpherson 

 Range. About 2f square miles of this big reservation had been 

 thrown open for use under occupation license, and there were 

 three appHcants for the area — namely, Messrs. H. Markwell (Hill 

 View), P. J. O'Reilly (Roberts's Plateau), and A. H. Chisholm 

 (Brisbane). When the case was called Mr. Chisholm explained 

 that he attended as an officer of various natural history bodies 

 to object to a portion of the National Park being ahenated in 

 any way. This reservation, he said, had been dedicated by 

 Parliament to the people, and it was wholly wrong to allow private 

 encroachment, even if such were legal. Apart from this con- 

 sideration, the presence of cattle would affect the primeval nature 

 of the park, and tempt the hcensee to ringbark trees in order to 

 strengthen the grass. In the event of the policy of opening being 

 persisted in, he was prepared to pay the rent in order to keep the 

 land free from possible harm. The case was then adjourned until 

 the afternoon to allow of the Minister being consulted. It was 

 announced on resumption that the occupation was to be pro- 

 ceeded with, and the area was submitted to auction, with an upset 

 price of £2 i6s. a square mile per annum. The successful bidder 

 was Mr. Markwell, at £12 5s. a square mile, a higher bid by Mr. 

 Chisholm being adjudged to have come too late." On the fol- 

 lowing day the Minister for Lands (Mr. Coyne) defended the 

 action of the Department, and said he proposed to safeguard 

 the " Park." 



