ROI \i 50i II fY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 1 Ofl 



Further Objectives. 



Under the terms of our association with the Taronga Park Trust we arc to be afforded facilities 



inducting scientific investigations at the Park. To provide the necessary buildings, cases, and 



lis birds, reptiles and insects to be studied, a considerable sum of 



money will be required, and as the conditions attaching to scientific study and investigation do not 



always admit of throwing the objects <>l study open to public inspection generally, the Trust could 



course, be expected to bear any large proportion of the expense. 



For one reason particularly the work of investigation does not lend itself to public spectacular 

 in the daytime ; that is, because most of the indigenous animals are nocturnal in their habits, 

 and they must lie studied after nightfall and in a light reduced to the minimum amount required for 

 accurate observation Hie zoological collection contained a1 present in the Park includes very many 

 i ii .nid interesting Australian species which in daylight are either hidden away in their sleeping 

 boxes, curled up into balls of fur, or, if induced to move at all, are so dull and lethargic as to attract 

 little interest. If these animals could be seen just after sunset in compartments sufficiently large 

 to allow their activities to have full play, a world of wonder and amusement would be opened to the 

 tors. Perhaps at some future date a building might be erected near the entrance to the Park 

 for the housing and display of tin- Opossums, Squirrels, Native Cats. Wombats, and Native Bears, 

 in such a manner that both scientific observers and the public could derive pleasure and profit from 

 watching these nocturnal animals under conditions as nearly natural as possible. In the construction 

 of such a building the funds of both this Society and the Trust might beemployed to mutual advantage. 

 The building to which I refer would be in an oval or circular shape, formed of a series of strong wire 

 compartments, varying Structurally in aci ordani e with the nature of the animals to be placed therein. 

 The compartments for the Opossums and Squirrels should be of comparatively light construction, 

 lofty, and provided with trees or branches, swings, and other fittings, to allow the animals tree exen ise. 

 The Wombats and Native Cats should be housed in more solid structures, with reinforced concrete 

 foundations and floors, filled in with sufficient earth to enable them to excavate their natural 

 burrows or nests. These compartments would enclose a circular or oval walk, surrounding a central 

 cage, also divided into compartments, in which tin very small marsupials could be accommodated. 

 The whole building would be lighted by elei tricitj so arranged as to supply a subdued but well-diffused 

 light. A special entrance would be provided in such a manner as not to admit of access to the 

 remainder of the Park. 



Final Objective. 



Lastly, there is the objective of a Central Hall of Science, to be erected in Sydney for the head- 

 quarters of the Society — to contain a large lecture hall, committee rooms, offices, library, laboratory, 

 and other conveniences, open to the use of not only this Society, but to kindred scientific and literary 

 societies. Such a Hall would be a fitting monument to Peace and the Progress of Science, and a 

 worthy crown to place upon the labours oi tins Society. To achieve this end I confidently appeal to 

 the public-spirited men in New South Wales, and estimate the sum required at £20,000. 



