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native fauna. In reply to an enquiry of the secretary of that 

 committee, the secretary to the Commissioner of Crowu Lands 

 stated that as the reserve was required as a fresh food supply 

 for the light-house keepers the Board could not agree to the de- 

 dication. After a lapse of some years, it was mentioned in the 

 1905 report of the Fauna and Flora Committee that application 

 had .been made for the reserve as a cattle station, but on the 

 committee's representation this was refused. In 1906 the matter 

 of securing the reserve was taken up in earnest, an important 

 meeting was held in the Mayor's parlour on July 25. A resolution 

 was passed as to the desirableness of securing the western end of 

 the island both as a reserve for fauna and liora and as a health 

 resort. On August 7, 1906, a deputation waited on the Premier 

 (the late Hon. T. Price), who promised the 60 square miles 

 (Light-house Reserve), and gave some hope of the larger area 

 (viz., 300 square miles) being granted. On August 15, 1906, a 

 suggestion was made to the Premier that eight trustees should 

 be appointed. In the following year further efforts were made, 

 for on April 20, 1907, Messrs. T. H. Smeaton, M.P., S. Dixon, 

 and E. Ashby had an interview with the Premier, who stated 

 that owing to the high price demanded by the lessees of portion 

 of the 300 square miles for the surrender of their holdings, 

 the Cabinet could grant only the Light-house Reserve, containing 

 60 square miles. Subsequently a letter was sent to the Premier, 

 in which it was recommended that various divisions of Natural 

 History be represented on the suggested Board of Trustees. 



On December 26, 1907, the Cape Borda Light-house Reserve 

 of 67 square miles was set apart by proclamation for the pur- 

 pose" of protecting and preserving the fauna and flora. On 

 January 11, 1908, a deputation waited on the Commissioner of 

 Crown Lands urging that the larger area of 300 square miles 

 should be set aside, but that gentleman considered that the area 

 promised was sufficient. Twice Mr. E. Ashby wrote to the Acting 

 Premier setting out reasons for granting the larger area and 

 enquiring as to the appointment of trustees. The reply was 

 (from our view) not very satisfactory, for it stated that the area 

 could not be increased, but that later on the land might be vested 

 in a more suitable body, the Marine Board control being a 

 temporary arrangement. It was pointed out in the Committee's 

 report that the alarming increase of foxes all over Australia ren- 

 dered the need of the larger area more urgent than before, as 

 the ground birds would probably be extinct if their enemies con- 

 tinued to increase as they have done in late years. 



In their 1909 report the Committee anticipated that the pro- 

 mises made by the late Hon. T. Price to the deputation on 

 August 7, 1906, would be carried out on the lines of the scheme 

 drawn up at his desire. Attention was again called to the spread 

 ■of foxes on the mainland. The committee again pleaded for 300 

 square miles. On November 16, 1909, a large and influential de- 

 putation, organised by the Fauna and Flora Committee, waited 

 on the then Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. E. H. Coombe, 

 M.P.), to urge the desirability of extending the area to the 300 

 square miles originally asked for. As a result the Cabinet ap- 

 proved of an additional 79 miles being added to the block known 

 as the Light-house Reserve, making the total about 140 miles. 

 Before the Session closed the Australian Natives' Association cir- 

 culated and presented a numerously-signed petition, asking the 

 House to grant funds to fence off the area already promised, 



