630 DISCUSSION. 



estate-owners; (b) of restrictive legislation enacting the perma- 

 nent protection of animals, &c, for specified periods, or during 

 close seasons, preventing undesirable introductions and exports, 

 etc.; and (c) of educational or other organisations for the 

 enlightenment of those in need of it, in order to prevent or 

 minimise the wanton destruction of animals and plants. 



Mr. A. J. North, of the Australian Museum, contributed a 

 short paper on " Bird- Protection and Bird-Destruction in New 

 South Wales," in which he pointed out certain weak points in the 

 original Acts in force in the State, and outlined the efforts which 

 had been made to remedy them. It was impossible to afford full 

 protection to many species unless absolute protection was given, 

 because of irregularities in breeding habits. Vast destruction 

 of birds was due, directly or indirectly, to the introduction of 

 undesirable aliens, particularly rabbits and foxes, and to the 

 efforts made to keep these in check. He advocated the reprinting 

 of the Acts in force, together with the additions that had been 

 subsequently made, in the newspapers so that the widest publicity 

 might be given to them. Gould Societies might very advan- 

 tageously be inaugurated throughout the State, to take up work 

 on the lines so successfully followed by the Audubon Societies of 

 the United States ; and to bring about the observance of " Bird 

 Day" in the schools. But there could be no doubt that perhaps 

 the most urgent need at present was better administration of 

 the legislation provided in the existing Acts.* 



Mr. Frank Farnell, Chairman of the National Park Trust, 

 spoke of an unsuccessful movement, largely for the protection of 

 the native flora and fauna, which he had initiated in 1905. The 

 Premier at the time, Mr. (now Sir) Hector Carruthers, warmly 

 supported the movement; but the Bill necessary to provide for 

 its effectiveness was not carried; and the effort failed. Still 

 more recently he had been instrumental in getting a proposed 

 Bill drafted, to provide for the introduction, acclimatisation and 

 preservation of animals and birds which are or may be deemed 



* See also " The Destruction of Native Birds in New South Wales," by 

 A. J. North. Rec. Aust. Mus. Vol. iv. p. 17(1902). 



