36 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



sportsmen, bird dealers, and fruit-growers, together with the 

 Club's representatives, when the list and suggestions were 

 adopted. It was finally arranged, at the instance of the Club, 

 that a deputation should wait on the Minister to present the 

 report. The deputation was well received by the Minister, who 

 promised to favourably consider the recommendations made, and 

 we are pleased to state that the alterations suggested have since 

 been adopted. 



" At the ordinary meeting in May last a communication was 

 received from the Inspector of Fisheries regarding the wholesale 

 destruction of native birds through eating poisoned grain laid for 

 the destruction of rabbits, and asking for the Club's opinion on 

 the matter. A sub-commiitee was appointed by you to furnish a 

 report, which was later on submitted to and approved by you and 

 forwarded on to the inspector. 



" The thanks of the Club are due to the various authors of 

 papers, leaders of excursions, and others who have helped in a 

 practical manner to forward the work of the Club. To Mr. E. 

 H. Swan, of the Triumph Engraving Co., the Club is much 

 indebted for continuing to gratuitously provide process blocks as 

 required for illustrating our journal ; as also to Mr. J. Searle, who 

 has been ever ready to place his lantern and services at our 

 disposal. Our hearty thanks are also due to Messrs. T. R. B. 

 Morton and G. Coghill, who have again most generously placed 

 their office at the disposal of your committee, a concession which 

 is highly appreciated. 



"Thehon. librarian reports that the Club's library has been 

 considerably increased during the past year, both through ex- 

 changes and donations, while several useful works have been 

 added by purchase. These include such works as the Cambridge 

 Natural History Series, " The Introduction to the Study of the 

 Foraminifera," by Chapman, Kerner's " Botany," &c. Members 

 have made fair use of the books and periodicals at their disposal, 

 but not to the extent that might be expected. Some progress has 

 been made during the latter part of the year in rearranging the 

 books on the shelves, with the object of com|jleting the data for 

 the introduction of a card catalogue. The binding has been well 

 advanced, but it will probably be necessary to increase this ex- 

 penditure in the near future, so as to allow of all the Australasian 

 scientific periodicals on the shelves being bound, to preserve 

 them from injury. 



" Regarding the financial position of the Club, we were pleased 

 in our last report to show a substantial balance to our credit ; 

 this year we are in a still hai)pier position. Starting the year 

 with a credit balance of ^21 7s. 3d., we conclude with one of 

 ;^4i 14s. 3d., with all accounts paid. The receipts amounted to 

 ;^i53 17s. 5d., while the expenditure was ^{,133 los. 5d. 



" In conclusion, your committee, while congratulating you on 



