Che Uictorian naturalisu 



Vol. XXIX.— No. J. MAY 9, 1912. No. 341. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal 

 Society's Hall on Monday evening, 15th April, 1912. 



The president, Mr. F. Wisewould, occupied the chair, and 

 about 70 members and visitors were present. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



From Dr. A. J. Ewart, the Club's representative on the 

 Wilson's Promontory National Park Committee, stating, in 

 reply to an inquiry by the secretary of the Club, that the 

 calling for tenders for agistment of cattle in the Park did not 

 mean any departure from rule or custom ; that the main source 

 of revenue to enable improvements, &c., to be made was the 

 grazing of cattle : that cattle grazing were not so injurious 

 (as weed transporters) as horses ; and that for the present the 

 committee considered the cattle necessary both as a source 

 of revenue and as track-makers ; but that any views which 

 the Field Naturalists' Club would be pleased to express would 

 be placed by him before the next meeting of the committee. 



Messrs. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, W. F. Gates, M.A., George 

 (^oghill. and other members discussed the question, and ex- 

 IM-essed the opinion that the sanctuary should not be 

 encroached on by introduced animals other than were necessary 

 for haulage, &c., and that all possible sources of fire should be 

 eliminated as much as possible. 



Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., hon. secretary of the National 

 Park Committee, explained the position of the committee and 

 their need of revenue and of tracks to the recesses of the moun- 

 tainous country, which were kept open by the cattle, thus 

 allowing better survey and supervision. 



After considerable discussion, it was resolved, on the motion 

 of Messrs. Coghill and Leach, that the Club enter a protest 

 against any further grazing in the Park. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to Coode Island on Saturday, 23rd 

 March, under the leadershi|) of Messrs. J. R. Tovey and C. 

 French, jun., was read by Mr. Tovey, who reported a good 

 attendance of members. Four additional exotic plants were 

 recorded, and reference made to other })oints of interest. Mr. 

 R. \V. Armitage. .M.Sc, remarked that Coode Island formed 

 a good collecting-ground for junior geologists and others, who 

 would find in the ballast refuse there rock specimens from many 

 parts of the world, and otherwise difficult to obtain. 



