THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 43 



The following statement of assets and liabilities was also 

 read : — 



Assets. 



Balance in hand ... ... ... ... ... £1^- 7 3 



Arrear.s of Subscriptions (^50), say... ... ... 27 10 o 



Club Badges in hand ... ... ... ... 200 



Library and Bookcases ... ... ... ... 120 o o 



;^i7o 17 3 



Liabilities. 

 Subscriptions for 1902-3 Paid in Advance ... ... £\ 15 o 



After a short discussion the statement was adopted, on the 

 motion of Mr. J. H. Gatliff, seconded by Mr. F. Wisewould. 



OFFICE-BEARERS FOR I902-3. 



The following office-bearers were declared duly elected, being 

 the only nominations received : — President, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A. ; 

 vice-presidents, Messrs. O. A. Sayce and D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. ; 

 hon. treasurer, Mr. J. F. Haase ; hon. librarian, Mr. S. W. 

 Fulton ; hon. editor, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard; hon. secretary, Mr. 

 J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. ; hon. assistant secretary and assistant 

 librarian, Mr. C. L. Barrett. 



A ballot for five members of committee resulted in the election 

 of Messrs. E. Anderson, G. Coghill, J. Gabriel, G. A. Keartland, 

 and F. Wisewould. 



A vote of thanks to the retiring office-bearers was moved by 

 Mr. D. Best and seconded by Mr. A. Coles, and carried by 

 acclamation. 



The president, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., returned thanks on 

 behalf of the office-bearers. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



Mr. J. H. Rutter made some remarks re the close season for 

 game, and stated that his experience during the last six or seven 

 years shooting at Gippsland Lakes and Western Port Bay had 

 been that in the majority of cases the ducks were all well 

 matured birds at the opening of the shooting season, and were 

 in large groups, and not in scattered pairs as they occur during 

 the nesting season. 



Mr. G. A. Keartland replied that before recommending any 

 extension of the close season the opinion of most of the leading 

 sportsman was obtained, and they strongly supported the recom- 

 mendation to alter the date of opening the shooting season to 

 February. 



Mr. D. Le Souef, G.M.Z.S., supported Mr. Keartland's remarks, 

 and stated that many of the sportsmen stated that they frequently 

 found young birds after the old date of opening the season in 

 December. 



