president's address. 
147 
little of it to be found. It has been torn up by the roots, no 
“Opportunity is allowed it to seed itself, and the constant attacks 
which are made upon it leave no hope that it can survive many 
years unless in the more inaccessible places. Can we not impress 
upon our people the idea that it is a sacred duty to preserve our 
flora and our fauna, and that in so doing we are perpetuating 
forms of life which are sacred, because they form part of the 
property in which we all have a common interest and a common 
ownership ? 
As part of my observations upon this subject, I might re- 
waken in your memory knowledge of the fact that a few years 
ago the Provincial Legislature passed an act by which provision 
was made for the creation of a Provincial Park in New Bruns- 
wick, which was to preserve carefully from all attacks a certain 
portion of the land at the headwaters of the noble rivers which 
flow through our Provincial domain ; this territory was to be 
guarded against the axe of the lumberman and the rifle of the 
hunter. It was to be a reservation of a character somewhat like 
those recently called into existence by the President of the 
United States under the laws of that Country. The forests were 
to be guarded, the waters of the rivers conserved, and the animals 
and birds which inhabited the region were to be protected. 
There might be some unity of action among the Natural History 
Societies of the Province in the direction of giving practical 
effect to this legislation. The lumbermen are understood to view 
it with small favour, and this is natural, for they see no good 
In a tree except in the cutting of it down. But the broad and 
weighty reasons which moved the members of this Society to 
seek for and secure that legislation are still effective, and the 
carrying out of the work projected would increase the total value 
of provincial property, and create in that property interests far 
superior to any which could be created by any other means. I 
grant you that the work would be somewhat difficult, but it is 
by no means impossible. It would require time and labour, but 
time and labour could be given to no better cause. Ever before 
i 1c all is the duty of making the most of this province, in which 
