PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 133 
furniture, floorcoverings, and the woodwork of the build- 
ings were greatly damaged by them.”’ 
Poisoning and trapping had little effect on them, so great 
were theirenumbers, but in a few weeks’ time they had 
completely disappeared. 
Mr. F. W. Gavel, Inspector of Stock at Dubbo, has kindly 
given me the following information as to his experiences of 
this mouse-pest as it affected the north-west of New South 
Wales and the adjacent parts of Queensland :— 
‘*TIn 1904 the plague of mice was particularly bad to my 
knowledge in that part of Queensland embracing the towns 
of St. George, Goondiwindi, Surat, Mungindi, Dirrinbandi, 
Hebel and Bolon. Also in the north-western part of New 
South Wales, embracing the towns of Boggabilla, Boomi, 
Mungindi, Collarenebri, Mogil Mogil, Walgett, Angledool, 
Garah and Moree. The plague made its appearance at 
Mungindi about the month of May, travelling from Queens- 
land in a southerly direction into New South Wales. After 
it had abated at St. George, in Queensland, it was at its 
worst at Mungindi, about 90 miles south from St. George; 
and again when it had abated at Mungindi it was at its 
height at Moree, 74 miles further south. The Barwon 
River was at the time running a fair stream, but it did not 
seem to have much effect in checking the progress of the 
march south. The duration of the plague was not more 
than about four months, but while it lasted it was particu- 
larly bad. The pest was distributed right throughout the 
fields, and mice could be found under almost any tuft of 
grass, piece of bark, or anything affording cover. Their 
little pads could be noticed anywhere out in the fields. The 
breeding nests and numbers of young mice were a most 
noticeable feature. The season had been unusually good 
during the summer months, and there was at the start any 
amount of food, but as the mice became more numerous, 
