44 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^ 



Vict. Nat. 



oi. xxxvr. 



majority of these were half -day visits to localities easily access- 

 ible on the Saturday afternoon, but several whole-day outings 

 further afield were also conducted, and a five days' visit to 

 Marysville at Christmas time proved a very successful under- 

 taking. The famous Grampians were visited in September by 

 a party of Club members in conjunction with the excursion 

 arranged by the Tourists' Bureau. The thanks of your com- 

 mittee are extended to those ladies and gentlemen who have 

 acted as leaders and organizers of these field excursions. 



" The annual wild-flower exhibition as a public show has 

 become a regular institution. This year it was again held in 

 the Melbourne Town Hall, and the proceeds devoted to the 

 Soldiers' Fund of the Y.M.C.A. The hall was found none too 

 large for the fine display of native flowers generously forwarded 

 by members and friends from all the States of the Common- 

 wealth. The microscopical display, which was a noteworthy 

 feature of the show, was due to the generous assistance of the 

 Microscopical Society and the painstaking labours of Mr. J. 

 Searle. Many lady members and friends gave of their time 

 and work unsparingly, and the ladies' committee, under the 

 capable management of Miss A. Fuller, has your committee's 

 congratulations. Many other workers, both before and at the 

 show, are deserving of more than passing mention for their 

 voluntary assistance in ways too numerous to refer to. The 

 net result of this one-day exhibition was £141 2S. gd., which 

 must be considered satisfactory, especially having regard to 

 the unpropitious weather. 



" In addition to these more prominent operations of the 

 Club, a number of other matters of not less importance have 

 been dealt with. 



" Strong support has been given to the department ad- 

 ministering the Fisheries and Game Act, particularly in relation 

 to the close season for quail and other game. 



" In connection with the National Park, during the year 

 the Government received applications to throw open this 

 proclaimed sanctuary for the preservation of the native fauna 

 and flora for purposes of tin mining. A large and influential 

 deputation (on which this Club was strongly represented) 

 waited on the Minister of Mines to oppose this application, and 

 their efforts were partially successful. The Club's support was 

 also requested by the naturahsts of South Australia in their 

 endeavours to secure a reserve for the protection of native 

 fauna and flora in that State, and it is understood that the 

 request is likely to receive favourable consideration. 



" A good deal of pubhcity was given to Macquarie Island 

 and the destruction of its bird-life during the period under 

 review, and a representative was selected by this Club (and 



