252 



numbers £28,000 for compensation. We pointed out that 

 the leases could be cancelled as required for parkland*, but, 

 unhappily, the Land Office subsequently granted on perpetual 

 lease one-tenth of each lease, allowing the lessee to thus pick out 

 the eyes of the country, and just what that means appears in the 

 evidence given before the Kangaroo Island Railway Commission. 

 Mr. E. B. Jones said that "with the exception of a few "isolated 

 patches in various bays the country was inferior. At Rocky 'River 

 there was 1,500 acres of fair country, most of it heavily timbered, 

 and he could not advise people to settle for agricultural pur- 

 poses, and it was indifferent from a pastoral point of view." Pro- 

 fessor Angus said the central ridge was a solid block of iron- 

 stone fit for nothing. AVe cannot but regret that the cancellation 

 clause was not acted on. The perpetual leasees have since asked 

 very many times the value of what they wanted before we waited 

 on Mr. Price. When Mr. Coombe was Commissioner he granted 

 an additional 79 square miles. In May of this year an extremely 

 large and important deputation waited upon the Commissioner 

 for Lands. It was introduced by Major Smeaton and the late 

 Hon. Theo. Bruce, and was of an Australasian character, 

 including as it did representatives from the Sydney and 

 Melbourne Universities and the various State scientific 

 societies, and South Australian Societies, Corporations, 

 and District Councils. The Hon. C. Vaughan said the 

 Government had every sympathy with our request to secure the 

 whole 300 square miles, and something more must be done than 

 had hitherto been done. He would make a recommendation to 

 his colleagues, but the extent of it would be a matter for con- 

 sideration and he would make a personal inspection. He thought 

 it would be necessary to introduce a Bill to define the powers 

 granted in connection with the reserve., and would provide in the 

 Estimates for a vermin-proof fence. 



In this advanced condition we hopefully look forward to the 

 completion of an invaluable scheme, invaluable to the scientists 

 of the world and of the very greatest value as a sanatorium and 

 centre for biological studies, attracting visitors from the civilized 

 world when the complete realization of our ideals takes place. 

 It is of the greatest importance to its success that the error 

 made^ by Parliament be avoided in altering our programme for 

 the National Park, that the scientific bodies with their specialists 

 should nominate the preponderating elements in the new govern- 

 ing body, having no ex-offieio members or others who have no 

 special knowledge of or interest in natural history. 



Work for the Future. 



After twenty-three years of pioneering work very muck re- 

 quires to be done^ and it may be useful to outline a programme 

 of what remains for the lovers of our extremely beautiful and 

 unique flora and fauna to preserve both from irremediable 

 destruction. 



In both directions a good healthy public feeling has l>een 

 cultivated in old and young, and from the latter especially the 

 indications for an intelligent and appreciative knowledge of the 

 importance of the subject economically may be hopefully expected. 

 In all the States there now exist some legislation and interest, 

 and this requires guidance. We are fortunate here at present 

 in having the Hon. Crawford Vaughan as Commissioner of Lands. 



