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2. Linnean Society of New South Wales. 



Abstract of Proceedings, August 26th, "1908. — The President invited 

 discussion upon the general question of the welfare of the indigenous fauna 

 and flora, and the best means of safeguarding it. — The Secretary gave 

 a brief summary of the various attempts to preserve faunas and floras from 

 extermination in other countries and States by means (a) of protected National 

 Parks and Reserves, with or without the co-operation of contiguous private 

 estate-owners; (b) of restrictive legislation enacting the permanent protection 

 of animals, etc., for specified periods, or during close seasons, preventing 

 undesirable introductions and exports, etc.', and (c) of educational or other 

 organisations for the enlightenment of those in need of it , in order to pre- 

 vent or minimise the wanton destruction of animals and plants. — Mr. A. 

 J. North, of the Australian Museum, contributed a short paper on „Bird- 

 Protection and Bird-Destruction in New South Wales", in which he pointed 

 out certain weak points in the original Acts in force in the State, and out- 

 lined the efforts which had been made to remedy them. It was impossible 

 to afford full protection to many species unless absolute protection was given, 

 because of irregularities in breeding habits. Vast destruction of birds was 

 due, directly or indirectly, to the introduction of undesirable aliens, parti- 

 cularly rabbits and foxes , and to the efforts made to keep these in check. 

 He advocated the reprinting of the Acts in force, together with the additions 

 that had been subsequently made, in the newspapers so that the widest publi- 

 city might be given to them. Gould Societies might very advantageously be 

 inaugurated throughout the State, to take up work on the lines so success- 

 fully followed by the Audubon Societies of the United States; and to bring 

 about the observance of ,,Bird Day" in the schools. But there could be no 

 doubt that perhaps the most urgent need at present was better administration 

 of the legislation provided in the existing Acts. — Mr. Frank Farnell, 

 Chairman of the National Park Trust, spoke of an unsuccessful movement, 

 largely for the protection of the native flora and fauna, which he had initia- 

 ted in 1905. The Premier at the time, Mr. (now Sir) Hector Carruthers, 

 warmly supported the movement; but the Bill necessary to provide for its 

 effectiveness was not carried; and the effort failed. Still more recently he 

 had been instrumental in getting a proposed Bill drafted, to provide for the 

 introduction, acclimatisation and preservation of animals and birds which 

 are or may be deemed to be of economic value to New South Wales, and for 

 other purposes consequent thereon or incidental thereto, to be known as the 

 „Birds and Native Animals Protection and Acclimatisation Act, 1906"; but 

 until the Cabinet made it a Government measure, its chance of coming into 

 operation was remote. With reference to the National Park, the speaker said 

 that the Trustees fully recognised that it was, first and last, the People's 

 Park ; that they were keenly alive to the desirability of preserving the native 

 plants and animals throughout the area of 60 square miles under their juris- 

 diction; that they had reason to be gratified not only with the way in which 

 the Park was fulfilling its purpose as a sanctuary for bird and other life, but 

 with the more appreciative attitude , on the part of those who visited the 

 Park, to the main objects of the Reserve, as well as to what the Trust was 

 trying to make it. He concluded an interesting address by offering the So- 

 ciety his hearty support. — Mr. F. J. W. Harrison, Secretary to the 



