146 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Mr. H. T. Tisdall supported the recommendation of the Com- 

 mittee, and moved tliat the suggestion of the Committee be 

 adopted. This was seconded by Mr. R. Hall. After a short dis- 

 cussion, in which Messrs. A. Cules, A. J. Campbell, D. Le Souef, 

 C.M.Z.S., and others took part, the motion was put to the 

 meeting and carried. 



The chairman stated that the adoption of a suitable motto had 

 also been considered, but, in the absence of any suggestions, had 

 been postponed for further consideration. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard 

 moved — " That members be asked to send in suggestions for a 

 suitable motto not later than 3rd March next." This was seconded 

 by Mr. S. W. Fulton, and carried. 



The hon. secretary reported that, in accordance with the resolu- 

 tions passed at the previous meeting regarding the cruelty to the 

 Mutton-birds on Phillip Island, he had interviewed the Secretary 

 for Public Works, who informed him that steps would be taken 

 to endeavour to prevent any cruelty to the birds in the future by 

 havmg special instructions issued to the police stationed on the 

 island to watch for, and take prompt action against, anyone found 

 ill-treating the birds in any way. It was also probable that steps 

 would be taken to compel all Mutton-bird egg collectors to take 

 out a license, but the Department did not think it necessary to 

 have a close season proclaimed for the eggs. 



A letter was also read from the Victorian Society for the Pro- 

 tection of Animals, in which it was stated tiiat the Society would 

 be glad to co-operate with the Club in the matter, and forwarding 

 a copy of a report from a police constable stationed at Cowes, 

 which had been received by that Society, dealing with the com- 

 plaints made regarding cruelly to the Mutton-birds. The con- 

 stable in his report stated that during his visits to the rookeries 

 during the past and previous seasons, he had not seen or heard of 

 one act of cruelty to the birds, and that the matter had, in his 

 opinion, arisen from unfounded statements made by unfortunate 

 egg collectors to the effect that the fortunate ones " must cut the 

 birds open and take the eggs out." 



The hon. secretary, Mr. J. A, Kershaw, stated that ttiere was 

 undoubted evidence to prove that the cruelty complained of had 

 been practised. Mr. C. French, jun., with other members of the 

 Club, had fuund numbers of the birds which had been cut open 

 and thrown aside under the bushes, and many of the birds were 

 still alive when discovered. 



Messrs. G. A. Keartland, A. J. Campbell, F. Wisewould, D. 

 Le Souef, and others also spoke strongly in support of Mr. 

 French's statements. 



Mr. F. G. A. Barnard stated that we had undoubted evidence 

 in support of cruelty having been practised, and moved — "That a 

 letter be sent to the Society lor the Protection of Animals empha- 



