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SECOND ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT OF THE 

 NATIVE FAUNA AND FLORA PROTECTION 

 COMMITTEE. 



In presenting their second annual progress Report, the Com- 

 mittee appointed by the Section to seek to secure better protection 

 for the native fauna and flora, have to state that although the 

 progress made during the year has been slow, it has still been to 

 some degree at least certain. 



National Parks. — The Public Service Commission in their most 

 recent report recommended that the whole of Government Farm 

 should be set aside as a National Park. The Cockburn Govern- 

 ment subsequently agreed to take steps to have this suggestion 

 carried into effect ; but their retirement from office prevented 

 them from fulfllling their promise. Lately a large deputation 

 from the City Corporation and other municipal bodies and Dis- 

 trict Councils within a radius of 20 miles of Adelaide, as well as 

 the Royal Society and this Section, interviewed the present 

 Premier (Hon. T. Playford) on the subject, and he appeared 

 willing to set aside 1,700 acres of the Farm as a public park, 

 reserving 300 acres for working men's blocks. It will be remem- 

 bered that in October, 1888, Mr. Playford promised to set apart 

 the whole of Government Farm if such were the public wish. 

 The Committee believe that there is a considerable probability of 

 all the 2,000 acres being eventually gained for the object specified. 

 A report has been prepared by the Surveyor-General, which 

 contains suggestions that 540 acres of the Farm, 3,250 acres in 

 the Hundred of Noarlunga (adjoining the River Onkaparinga), 

 and 1,200 acres in the vicinity of Mount Crawford should be set 

 apart for the preservation of indigenous plants and animals. 

 The Committee consider that, for the present, it will be expedient 

 to continue their efforts in order to secure the whole of Govern- 

 ment Farm. 



Forest Reserves. — The Committee have noticed with the greatest 

 regret that an extremely short-sighted policy has caused a con- 

 siderable diminution of the forest areas without any compensating 

 extension. They will continue their endeavours to have this 

 condition of affairs remedied, and amongst other things they 

 intend to try to secure the reservation of about 11,000 acres at 

 Mount Crawford as a natural red-gum forest. As a means of 

 gaining the better protection of the native fauna, the Austral- 

 asian Association will be asked to urge the different colonial 

 Governments to declare all State forests close preserves for 

 harmless animals. 



Action in the Other Colonies. — The statesman-like policy pursued 



