39 



Excellency when applied to, at once took action at the earliest possible 

 (lato, and in conjunction with Mr. Abbott had marked a number of trees 

 which would soon bo removed by means of labour promised by 

 Government. 



His Excellency remarked that agreeably to the request of the 

 Domain Committee ho had carefully gone over that portion of the Do- 

 main lying between the Gardens and Cornelian Bay, and he had also, to 

 some extent, inspected it generally. In making his observations he had 

 been greatly assisted by Mr. Abbott, to whom he was indebted for 

 many valuable hints. He had marked some trees, which as a 

 beginning, he had no doubt, ought to be removed. Some of these 

 were ugly and deformed in themselves, whilst others obscured the 

 view of liner trees. Many again were so nearly dead already, that if not 

 quickly removed they would soon fall of themselves. He expected 

 that the removal of these trees would open up some pretty vistas 

 looking both up and across the river. Afterwards it could be deter- 

 mined by careful observation if any further clearing was advisable But 

 the removal of trees was not the only matter which should engage 

 tlieir attention. It was of great importance, even at the present early 

 period, that planting operations should be considered and that some de- 

 tinite plan of operations should be adopted. He might, perhaps, be 

 allowed to suggest, that planting might advantageously be com- 

 menced somewhat outside of the Domain along the border of the 

 creek near the bridge in Macquarie-street. This, however, waa 

 rather a matter for the consideration of the Town Council. In a 

 sanitary point of view the blue gum might be of great benefit to thia 

 locality. Then the railway works might be enclosed by orna- 

 mental trees. Some appropriate and pretty trees such as Piyius 

 mnritima, etc., might be planted behind the Battery and would 

 look well from the harbour. The sides of the railway also at certain 

 points would furnish good sites for planting. Coming round by 

 Government House we find the large and unsightly quarry. This might 

 be made very ornamental at a very trifling expense by judicious plant- 

 ing, etc. Beyond this, the ravine above the pond might easily be 

 converted as suggested by Mr. Abbott, into a pretty fern tree valley. 

 Round the- domain and at its upper entrance he had found a stone- 

 crusher at work, and the engine was fed with firewood from trees in 

 the vicinity. In cutting down trees for this purpose great care should 

 be taken that those only should be removed which oould be advan- 

 tageously spared from the locality. 



Mr. Grant had no doubt that the planting on the borders of the creek 

 as suggested by His Excellency would be both beneficial and orna- 

 mental. The planting of the railway enclosure which had also been 

 alluded to by the President would be undertaken by the Railway 

 Company. (Applause.) At many other points along the railway 

 cuttings in the domain there was plenty of soil for the growth of 

 trees of considerable size. 



Mr. Stepuexs directed the attention of the meeting to specimena 

 of the strata traversed by the prospecting shaft at Spring Bay, which 

 had been forwarded by Mr. R.obinson of Triabunna. For the first 23 

 feet the sinking appeared to have been through surface soil and a 

 yellowish sandstone, succeeded by a grey sandstone charged with 

 thin streaks and irregular bands of carbonaceous matter, and occasional 

 nodular patches of an indurated fire-clay ; the whole extending to a 

 depth of about 70 feet. Though the evidence up to the present time 

 was of a somewhat negative character, it was quite as favourable as could 

 be expected, where nothing is accurately known of the order or thick- 



