THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 131 



The public meeting was held on yth October, in the large hall 

 of the Athen^um, and was well reported by the papers of the 

 following day. It was a decided success. The Lieutenant- 

 Governor, Sir John Madden, presided. Professor Baldwin 

 Spencer stated why the meeting was called, and what we had 

 made up our minds to get. The chief resolution, stating that we 

 desired the area to be proclaimed a National Park, and to have it 

 vested in trustees as a heritage of the people for ever, was proposed 

 by the most fitting man in the community, Mr. E. G. Fitz 

 Gibbon, who for more than fifty years has fought the battle of the 

 people's parks. His was a stirring speech. He was supported by 

 Dr. Carty Salmon, who represented the A.N. A., by Rev. Dr. 

 Bevan, and Hon. Frank Madden. 



The Hon. Frank Stuart proposed the names of a large com- 

 mittee, representing all the scientific societies, and comprising as 

 well the names of many influential men, to lay the resolution 

 before the Premier, Mr. Bent, and the Minister of Lands, Mr. 

 Murray. During the evening a fine series of lantern slides by 

 Dr. F. Bird and Mr. A. G. Fryett, illustrating the Promontory, as 

 well as a few showing the New South Wales National Park and 

 the United States National Park, were shown by the Club's 

 honorary lanternist, Mr. J. Searle. 



Here for the moment the matter rests, but, judging by the 

 enthusiasm of the meeting and the wide support the movement is 

 receiving, there seem to be good grounds for feeling confident of 

 our ultimate success. — T. S. Hall. 



Addendum. — After some delay the committee was notified 

 that the deputation would be received by the Minister of Lands, 

 the Hon. J. Murray, on 7th December. The deputation was a 

 large and influential one, comprising representatives of the Field 

 Naturalists' Club, the Royal Society, the Ornithologists' Union, 

 the Royal Geographical Society, the Zoological and Acclimatiza- 

 tion Society, the Victorian Anglers' Association, the Australian 

 Natives' Association, tlie Trustees of the Public Library and the 

 Exhibition Building, besides several leading public men. The 

 Hon. Frank Madden, Professor Spencer, the Hon. Frank Stuart, 

 and others spoke. The Minister said that before giving a 

 decision he would visit the locality, and invited some of those 

 interested to accompany him. However, a few days afterwards 

 it was announced in the press that the Cabinet had decided to 

 permanently reserve the Promontory, but owing to the holidays 

 we are not yet aware undfer what conditions this has been done. 

 Nothing short of permanent reservation under trustees should 

 satisfy us, and if a sufficiently strong public feeling be worked up 

 in favour of this we shall get it, but there is danger in letting the 

 matter drop. — T.S.H. 3rd January, 1905. 



