32 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



cutting of timber is concerned, but which affords exceptional 

 opportunities for the proper preservation of the local fauna and 

 flora, 



" Similar action was also taken regarding portion of the land 

 at Gembrook, over 600 acres of which was originally reserved for 

 the Zoological and Acclimatization Society of Victoria. Our 

 efforts, however, have not been attended with very satisfactory 

 results so far. Your committee recognize the urgent necessity of 

 suitable areas in different parts of the State being permanently 

 set apart for this purpose, and for the preservation of any natural 

 features of scientific value, and trust that something may be 

 accomplished in this direction before it becomes too late to be of 

 value. 



" In connection with this matter we have to acknowledge the 

 sympathy and co-operation of the National Forests Protection 

 League, which has done all in its power to support our action. 



" In consequence of a deputation of sportsmen having waited 

 on the Commissioner of Public Works to advocate the opening of 

 the shooting season for ducks and quail at an earlier date than 

 was provided by the Game Act, your committee, in December 

 last, appointed Messrs. T. S. Hall, M.A., G. A. Keartland, and 

 the hon. secretary, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., to act as a 

 deputation to wait on the Commissioner to protest against the 

 suggested alteration. Your representatives were ably supported 

 by delegates from the Zoological and Acclimatization Society of 

 Victoria, and the Australasian Ornithologists' Union, while the 

 sportsmen were strongly represented, and were supported by 

 several members of Parliament and delegates from various shire 

 councils. The decision of tlie Minister, however, was, as already 

 reported at our meetings, far from satisfactory. It was therefore 

 gratifying to learn that after only two months' trial the Govern- 

 ment, following the advice tendered by your Club, which was 

 supported by numerous letters in the daily press from all parts of 

 the State, decided to revert to the old dates. 



" A special joint meeting of the Club and the Royal Society of 

 Victoria was held on 21st April last on the occasion of the 

 presentation of the Mueller medal to Mr. A. W. Howitt, F.G.S., 

 for distinguished work in Natural Science. The award of the 

 medal was made at the Dunedin meeting of the Australasian 

 Association for the Advancement of Science in January last, when 

 Mr. Howitt was unanimously chosen as the first recipient. 

 Professor Baldwin Spencer, M.A., F.R.S., president of the Royal 

 Society, made the presentation, and was accompanied on the 

 platform by your president, Mr. O. A. Sayce. 



" In recognition of the valuable assistance rendered to the Club 

 for many years by Mr. J. Searle, in placing his lantern and 

 services at the disposal of the Club free of cost, your committee 



