Vol. XXI 

 1921 



] State Secretaries' Reports. 71 



^Meanwhile, the Oueensland Ciould League of iUrdlovers is 

 endeavouring to keep a sharj) eye on the hirds of the State 

 generally. Tiie most notahle success of the League recently was 

 the prosecution of a city hird-dealer, who had 36 Gouldian 

 Finches (now totally protected in Queensland) and 17 other 

 Finches. The chief point in the defence was that the hirds had 

 come from S}dney, and were not, therefore, native hirds withia 

 the meaning of the Oueensland Act. This point, which in- 

 volved an important principle, was not sustained hy the Police 

 ^lagistrate. wiio convicted defendant on both charges. On the 

 first a fine of £18 ( 10/- a bird) was inflicted, and on the second 

 count (which amounted to a second offence) the maximum fine 

 of ii a bird was imposed for each of the 17 birds. Tn all, de- 

 fendant was ordered to pay fines and costs amounting to over 

 £40, in default two months' imprisonment. 



Activity continues to Ije displayed also by the Oueenslanil 

 ]'"ield Naturalists' Club, whose operations arc closely associated 

 with those of the Gould League and Oueensland section of the 

 R.A.O.U. One of the biggest gatherings of its kind held in 

 Brisbane was a meeting which the Club promoted during May 

 for the purpose of furthering the interests of the National Parks 

 of the State. Professor H. C. Richards spoke of the geology 

 of these reservations; Mr. C. T. White (Government Botanist) 

 of their botany; Mr. A. H. Chisholm. R.A.O.L'. (president (iould 

 League of Birdlovers), of the birds; and Mr. H. A. Longman. 

 R.A.O.U. (Director, Oueensland Museum), of the mammals. 

 His Excellency the Governor ( Sir Matthew Xathan ) was ])re- 

 sent. together with Sir Thomas and Ladv Robinson. 



Two members of the R.A.O.C from other States have been 

 v,-eicomed on visits to Brisbane. Capt. S. A. White came to 

 inquire into the food of birds frequenting our State forests ; and 

 Mr. E. A. Le Sguef came on liusiness connected with the Perth 

 Zoological Gardens. 



A. H. CHTSIIOLM. R.A.O.C. State Secretarv. 



'"Daih- ]\[ail," Brisbane. 



SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 



As representati\e of the L^nion in S.A., I have the honor to 

 report that much progress has been made with protection work 

 in South Australia since the last report was furnished. 



First of all, it is necessary to record the great support and 

 sympathy shown by the Hon. the Premier, the Minister control- 

 ling the Act, and the Department administering it. The Premier 



