July, 1908.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 41 



decision of the Minister not to include the half-mile margin in 

 the area permanently reserved, and will not feel satisfied until 

 this decision is rescinded and the whole of the Promontory set 

 apart for the purpose desired. Encouraging progress has, 

 however, been made, and the Club has now good reason to 

 expect a successful outcome of its long and earnest endeavours 

 to secure this area as a permanent sanctuary for our native fauna 

 and flora. 



" The thanks of the Club are due to Professor Baldwin 

 Spencer for the whole-hearted manner in which he has urged on 

 this movement on every possible occasion, and to whom much of 

 the success attending it is due. Your committee also desire to 

 record their hearty^appreciation of the keen interest and valuable 

 support accorded by the Directors of the Australian Natives' 

 Association. 



" Another matter with which the Club has long been concerned, 

 and to which your committee have given their serious attention, 

 is that relating to the Fisheries and Game Acts. From time to 

 time various questions relating to the preservation of our native 

 animals, and the lessening or extending of the close seasons, have 

 been submitted to this, as well as other similar bodies, for their 

 opinion. With a view to securing the best possible advice, and 

 at the same time ensuring the protection and preservation of our 

 native animals, the Director of the National Museum, Professor 

 Baldwin Spencer, communicated with the various Melbourne 

 societies interested, suggesting the formation of a committee 

 consisting of representatives of each society, the National 

 Museum, and the Zoological Gardens, to which all requests 

 relating to the Fisheries and Game Acts could be referred for 

 report. The proposal met with unanimous approval, and 

 representatives were appointed by each of the bodies interested. 

 Mr. G. A. Keartland was appointed by your committee to 

 represent the Club. 



" At the first meeting, held on the 29th November last, the 

 whole matter was considered, and an executive appointed, 

 consisting of Professor Baldwin Spencer and Messrs. J. A. 

 Kershaw and A. H. E. Mattingley. The Government was 

 approached, and at once consented to officially recognize the 

 committee, and submit all questions relating to the Fisheries and 

 Game Acts for its report. The committee has since been 

 consulted regarding matters relating to the above. 



" Prior to the formation of the above-mentioned committee, 

 the desirability of altering the date of the close season for 

 Opossums was considered, and it was decided to recommend 

 that the dates be altered from 1st June to 31st December to those 

 of I St March to 31st October in each year. 



" The advisability of continuing or modifying the existing close 

 season for seals was also dealt with. 



