July, 1907.] THE VICTOKIAN NATUKALIST. 45 



for the various branches of natural history being dealt with, a 

 different subject being treated each day under the charge of one 

 of the Club's experts in that particular branch of study. 



" Each day was devoted to practical field work, and in the 

 evenings illustrated lectures on kindred subjects were given. 

 Keen enthusiasm was aroused, and each day's proceedings were 

 followed with lively interest. No effort was spared by Mr. Leach 

 and his committee to make this camp the decided success it 

 ultimately proved to be, and the Club is greatly indebted to Mr. 

 Leach, the leaders of excursions, lecturers, and others, who so 

 heartily lent their assistance to bring the outing to such a 

 successful issue, while the special thanks of the Club are due to 

 the press for the valuable reports published from day to day. 



" The twenty-third volume of the Club's journal has been com- 

 pleted, under the editorship of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, to whom the 

 Club is again indebted for the large amount of time and careful 

 thought which he continues to bestow on its successful pro- 

 duction. 



" The financial position of the Club has permitted your 

 committee to deal more liberally with authors of papers. In the 

 past reprints of papers were provided at cost price, but during the 

 present year it was decided to grant authors of papers containing 

 original matter twenty-five copies free of cost. 



" A number of questions of importance were dealt with during 

 the year. Action was taken regarding the destruction of the 

 wattles, &c., growing along the Yarra near the Kew Asylum, with 

 the result that steps were immediately taken to protect the trees. 

 Attention was drawn to the fact that many of the railway and 

 other cuttings near Melbourne, so valuable for illustrating the 

 geological features of the district, were being planted with 

 creeping plants, and there was a danger of these interesting 

 sections being completely covered up. The Railways Com- 

 missioners were appealed to, and furnished with a list of the 

 localities which it was desired should be left in their original 

 state, and they at once undertook to carry out, as far as was 

 possible, the wishes of the Club. 



"A strong protest against the wholesale slaughter of wild duck 

 which takes place at the opening of the shooting season was 

 forwarded to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, with a 

 recommendation that some action be taken. Attention was also 

 drawn to the matter through the press, which strongly condemned 

 the practice of making " big bags," and the indiscriminate 

 slaughter which takes place every year, but the results so far have 

 not been satisfactory. It is desirable, however, that the matter 

 should not be allowed to drop, but that further action should be 

 taken at a future date. 



"Among other matters carefully considered and dealt with have 

 been suggested alterations in the close seasons for Black Swan 



