March, 1907.] THE VICTOEIAX NATURALIST. Jgy 



THE MORNINGTON CAMP.* 



The Leader's Report. 



By J . A. Leach, M.Sc, Organizing Inspector of Nature- 

 Study, Education Department, Victoria. 



This year, instead of a collecting and exploring excur- 

 sion for the Christmas and New Year vacations, the com- 

 mittee of the Victorian Field Naturalists' Club decided 

 to hold an instruction camp. It was also decided to 

 invite the Director of Education to accompany the party, 

 and to nominate fifty teachers to share in the instruction. 

 Since it had happened that I brought up the idea of an 

 instruction camp, the committee appointed me as leader. 

 To look after the commissariat side, Mr. James Armitage 

 was appointed joint leader. On account of a prior en- 

 gagement, however, he was unable to take part, and so 

 I was left in sole charge. 



To assist in carrying this undertaking to a successful 

 issue, a committee, consisting of Messrs. R. W. Armitage, 

 E. Lees, J. S. Kitson, T. S. Hall, G. B. Pritchard, and 

 J. A. Kershaw, was appointed at my request. Mr. Amii- 

 tage, as secretary and treasurer, rendered valuable assis- 

 tance, and kept the accounts so well up to date that the 

 whole financial business was completed before we left 

 camp, and a balance-sheet was presented to the party. 

 Mr. E. Lees aided in various ways. Especially was 

 he helpful in drawing up specifications for the contractor. 

 Mr. J. S. Kitson personally assisted in many mat- 

 ters and on m.any occasions. Mr. Pritchard came at the 

 beginning of the camp, and stayed most of the time. 

 He quickly got a firm hold of the whole party, and was a 

 great factor in its gratifying success. I\Ir. T. S. Hall 

 was an invaluable member of the committee. His wide 

 experience and great knowledge of affairs in general were 

 always placed freely at my disposal. He also stayed with 

 the camp until the last day, and was one of the strong 

 pillars of the whole undertaking. Mr. Kershaw, though 

 he was out of the State and could not attend the camp, 

 was a more than useful member of the committee, for I 

 found it needful to consult him on manv matters, and his 

 advice was always most helpful. To these six gentlemen 

 I am personally much indebted for their valuable aid. 



* [These reports appeared simultaneously as a Supplement to the Educntion 

 Gazette and Teachers' Aid, Education Department, Victoria. — Ed. Vict. Nat ] 



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