Aug., 

 1920 



1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 49 



Mr. Hardy also announced that His Excellency the Governor- 

 General, who is an hon. member of the Club, and who would 

 shortly be leaving Australia, had presented a framed photo- 

 graph of himself, which would be reproduced in the next 

 Naturalist, as a memento of his association with the Club, and 

 he hoped that before leaving His Excellency would forward a 

 communication to the members. 



On taking the presidential chair, Mr. Gabriel intimated that 

 he would serve the Club to the best of his powers. He said 

 that the Club could do more work, and that of a valuable 

 nature. For instance, more could be done by a Club such as 

 this in the investigation of insect and fungus pests ; for example, 

 the blight of the tomato. He cited Pasteur's salvation of the 

 silk industrj^ of France. This should be an inspiration. He 

 asked — Why can we not have an Australian Pasteur ? 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



In accordance with notice, Mr. H. B. Williamson moved the 

 motions standing in his name, as publislied in the Naturalist 

 for June (page 9). Considerable discussion took place, and 

 linaUy it was agreed that the several matters be considered by 

 the committee with the view of meeting Mr. Williamson's ideas 

 as far as practicable, Mr. Williamson agreeing to alter the word 

 "considers" in the first motion to "suggests." 



Mr. F. Pitcher referred to the acquirement of Mr. J. Watson's 

 garden at Balwyn by the Camberwell City Council, and moved 

 — " That this Club convey its hearty congratulations to the 

 Camberwell City Council for having acquired Mr. Watson's 

 Australian garden, adjoining Beckett Park, Balwyn, as a public 

 reserve. The Club would express the hope that the collection 

 of Australian trees and plants would be added to from time to 

 time in order that visitors may become acquainted with the 

 value of Austrahan vegetation for decorative purposes. The 

 Club would also suggest that in any scheme of planting in 

 Beckett Park only native trees and shrubs be used, in order 

 that the area may be made a distinct attraction to visitors as 

 a collection of entirely Australian plants." 



The motion was seconded by Mr. H. B. Williamson and 

 supported by Mr. F. Wisewould, and carried unanimously. 



Mr. E. Cox recommended to the committee the purchase of 

 a reading stand, which, he considered, would lead to a better 

 dehvery of the papers read before the Club. Mr. J. Gabriel 

 said that he would be pleased to liiake and present a suitable 

 stand to the Club. 



Mr. A. D. Hardy referred to the fox question at Phillip Island, 

 and said from what he could gather the recent fox drive had 

 not achieved much success, owing to the great amount of cover ; 



