-^gg THE TICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. rxill. 



was with us. It was decided to hire a telescope, and 

 Mr. Barnard was verv successful in introducing the party 

 to many of the marvels of the heavens. This added an- 

 other interesting field to our varied domain of observa- 

 tion. 



The party went into camp on Monday, 24th December, 

 about II o'clock, and camp was broken up on Wednesday, 

 2nd January, 1907, at 3, o'clock. Thus it lasted for 9^ 

 days. Charging 3s. 8d. a day, and calling up £^2, it 

 was found that there was a surplus of over ^3. This 

 sum was divided amongst iMr. Cumberland's capable and 

 obliging staff. The total cost for the whole time was thus 

 just under £2 per camper. 



On the last day, hearty votes of thanks were carried 

 to the Defence Department for the free loan of tents, 

 palliasses, and waterproof sheets ; to the committee of 

 the Mechanics' Institute for the free supply of the large 

 quantity of watei used at the camp ; to Mr. Noble for 

 the loan of seats and general help ; and to the general 

 leader, the excursion leaders, the lecturers, and the com- 

 mittee; also to Mr. Searle for the loan of the lantern, 

 and to the press for the valuable reports issued from day 

 to day. 



Several gentlemen offered to give lectures or lead excur- 

 sions, but our programme was complete, and it was not 

 possible to accept these. 



It was decided that every person taking part should 

 contribute to the general expense. This was done in one 

 of four ways: — (i) If meals were taken in fhe camp, then 

 that person paid 4s. 6d. a day up to four days inclusive 

 (this was for meals, lectures, &:c.); (2) if he stayed more 

 than four davs and less than eight days, he paid 3s. 8d. 

 a day, plus 4s. ; (3) if he stayed the full time, 3s. 8d. a 

 day for 9^ days, dIus 5s. 9d., or a total of £2; (4) if 

 he had no meals in the camp, then he paid is. a day 

 for lectures or excursions. Many members and visitors 

 did this. 



Thus everv person contributed directly to the consider- 

 able expense involved. Our caterer's bill came to just 

 under ;!^i2o, and our general expenses were heavv. 



Over eighty actually camped in the tents, and the total 

 number taking part in the outing exceeded 100. More 

 than double the number of members of the club who usu- 

 ally attend the Christmas camp took part on this occasion. 



On all hands it is admitted to be a decided success, and 

 the club is to be congratulated on carrying to a successful 

 issue a movement so far-reaching in its effects on the edu- 

 cational well-being of the State. 



