The South Australian Naturalist. 15 



A report having been received re destruction of seals on 

 Pearson Island (a reserve), a deputation, consisting of the 

 informant and delegates from this committee, waited upon the 

 Minister of Industry on March 8, and asked that adequate 

 protection be given to seals on reserved areas. The Minister 

 promised to enquire into it, and would so far as possible prevent 

 a recurrence of the slaughter. The Minister has since asked 

 that the Committee state exactly what waters and islands they 

 desired as a reserve for seals. 



The Chairman was instrumental in securing a conviction 

 against half-castes for destroying native birds at Meningie, but 

 unfortunately the fines were only nominal. 



On August 16 a large meeting of nature lovers was held in 

 the Adelaide Town Hall, in which members of the Committee 

 took a prominent part, and the gathering was addressed by 

 Captain White, Messrs. E. Ashb3% and Edgar R. Waite. The 

 meeting was called as a result of a conference between the 

 Field Naturalists' Section and this Committee, with the idea of 

 awakening the public to the need of protection for our fauna 

 and flora. 



Through evidence brought before them by this Committee, 

 the Government decided to alter the close season for kangaroos 

 and wallabies from the six montiis ending December 31 to the 

 six months ending March 31. By adopting the latter period it 

 is hoped that it will prevent the heavy slaughter of these 

 marsupials when they come in to water during the hot summer 

 months. 



Our Chairman during the year has addressed numerous 

 gatherings in country and metropolitan centres on the subject 

 of native birds and their need of protection, and In this manner 

 was largely responsible for the better understanding of the 

 need of further necessary legislation. He had also visited the 

 Coorong and the nesting islands of pelicans and swans, and 

 found that the birds were generally unmolested. It is gratify- 

 ing to learn that upon an island not previously used as a breed- 

 ing ground at least 800 young pelicans had been successfully 

 reared during the season. 



It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of 

 Mr. E. H. Lock, a valued and hard-working committeeman. 



Owing to Mr. Andrew having removed from Adelaide, Mr. 

 J. N. McGilp was elected Hon. Secretary in his stead. 



The Committee has found that gradually the public are 

 awakening to the necessity of preserving our fauna and flora. 

 In this connection mention might be made of the receipt of a 



