Sir John Dodds, K.C.M.G., Lieutenant-Governor, in the 

 chair. 



THE FOLI.OWING PAPER WAS READ : — 



On a recent visit to the River Gordon, illustrated by lantern 

 slides, with remarks on the need of reservation of land along 

 the banks of the River. By J. W. Beattie. 



The visit was made in the middle of April last, eight days 

 being spent in exploring the River Gordon. Unfortunately, 

 tor SIX days the weather was very wet, less than two days 

 being available for the photographic work of the trip. Photo- 

 graphs of Macquarie Harbour Heads were displayed, showing 

 the dispositions of the various harbour works. The outer and 

 inner islands, and their ligihts, the breakwater, and the v/reck 

 of the s.s. Kawatiri, were shown, and gave a clear idea of the 

 character of this wild western port of Tasmania, the " open 

 door " of the West Coast mineral fields. The late Mr. Napier 

 Bell's scheme for the removal of the bar was referred to, and 

 another scheme, with a similar objective, but antedating Mr. 

 Bell's by some seventy years, was mentioned. This early 

 scheme, however, appears to have never gone beyond the 

 presentation of a report by the originator — Captain James 

 Hobbs — to the then Governor, Colonel George Arthur, in 1824. 

 The d'scovery of Macquarie Harbour by Captain James Kelly 

 was dealt with. Illustrations of the Port of Strahan were 

 given, and also a fine series portraying the beautiful natural 

 reserve of 70 acres called "The People's Park." These serve 

 to emphasise the value of the forethought of the Strahan resi- 

 dents in obtaining one of a series of what have been aptly 

 termed Natural Monuments, which will remain an abiding 

 type of the indigenous flora. The historic places en route 

 to the River Gordon were next dealt with — Phillip Island, 

 Sarah Island, etc., being historically treated, and the beautiful 

 and impressive mountain backgrounds overlooking the en- 

 trance to the river fully described, with some of the historical 

 associations attached to them. The grandeur of the different 

 reaches and bends of the Gordon was well illustrated, and 

 served to emphasise the unique beauty of the river, and the 

 urgent claims for its protection from the ruthless hand of 

 present-day utilitarianism. The scenery at Gould's Landing, 

 the various rapids in the upper reaches of the river, the River 

 Franklin, and the scenery at the Great Bend, 65 miles from 

 Macquarie Harbour, were well represented, the characteristics 

 of the river being minutely described where illustration was 

 not available. A brief sketch of the pine industry in the 

 vicinity of the Gordon was accompanied by several illustrations 

 of pine forests and logging. 



In conclusion, the author urged most strongly that imme- 

 diate and vigorous action be taken to thoroughly protect the 

 banks of the River Gordon from Macquarie Harbour to a mile 

 beyond the Franklin, a total distance of 26 miles, the area of 

 reservation to extend to the line of hills running on either 

 side of the river from the water's edge to at least one chain 

 beyond their summits. On level river flats, where no hills 



