Page forty 
THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST 
July, 1952 
A NATIVE SANCTUARY IN THE FOOTHILLS 
By EDGAR W. PRITCHARD 
In brief, this is a scheme for a native 
animal, bird and plant sanctuary in one 
of the gullies running into the hills, along 
the lines of the Collin McKenzie Sanctuary 
in Victoria, but larger and under more 
natural conditions. 
The object would be to provide a means 
for naturalists, tourists and the general 
public to see and study the Australian 
flora and fauna in a natural setting. 
A blind gully would be best with no 
through traffic, with some grass land for 
the animals and some scrub for the wild 
ilowers, and it should be within walking 
distance of a tram terminus. As to the 
area a fence along the tops of the ridges 
and across the end of the gully would be 
the ideal thing; but a smaller piece would 
be sufficient for a start. 
Now, as to the advantages of such a 
scheme. First it must be very disappoint- 
ing to overseas visitors to find, when they 
arrive, that the native flora and fauna, 
about which they have heard so much, 
can be seen only by travelling hundreds 
of miles into the interior. There is no 
other capitals which has the necessary set- 
ting right at its door; therefore an easy 
means of seeing something unique should 
be a great tourist attraction, and certainly 
should be provided for our overseas visi- 
tors. 
Second, it would be an effective means 
of giving our own people an afternoon’s 
enjoyment, for increasing their knowledge 
of our plants and animals, and arousing 
interest in their preservation. 
Third, it would provide a fine field of 
study for scientists and naturalists, where 
they could spend any spare afternoon ob- 
serving native plants and animals. The 
only place where this can be done at pres- 
ent is Flinders Chase, which is so difficult 
to reach that few people can spend even a 
short time there. 
Fourth, it would be a sure means of pre- 
serving a patch of native flora close to the 
city, before it has all been destroyed by 
grazing animals. 
Fifth, it would be a very useful addition 
to the outer green belt of the city, which 
recently has been suggested, and appears 
so desirable. 
The last j:>oint is the means for carry- 
ing it out. I think such a scheme would be 
too big for any private body to undertake. 
The Government body under which it 
would come would be the Tourist Bureau, 
and as it is all to their interest to have 
something unusual to show visitors, sup- 
port of the Government for the scheme 
would most likely be obtained through 
that point of view. 
I would suggest that, if the Gov- 
ernment could be induced to provide the 
money, the scheme could be carried out 
and managed by a board on which the 
Tourist Bureau, the Royal Society and the 
Field Naturalists should have representa- 
tion. 
WILD FLOWER POPULARITY 
POLL 
(Continued from previous page) 
Secondly, ensure good drainage and, if pos- 
sible, limestone free soil. The first of these 
is important, the latter can be overcome by 
the use of a compost, well decayed manure; 
in fact any organic matter either incor- 
porated in the soil or used as a heavy mulch 
on its surface. Thirdly, the use of “correct- 
ing chemicals,” such as sulphate of am- 
monia, iron sulphate or sulphur must be 
considered to prevent chlorotic conditions 
occurring in our plants. 
In spite of these drawbacks and criti- 
cisms as given above, the poll conducted 
drew the public’s attention to the many 
really beautiful Australian wild flowers 
and it is now up to each and every one of 
us to see that these are readily available 
from nurserymen or others who sell plants. 
Only in this way can we ensure the im- 
provement of our garden flora which will 
stand up to our local conditions, and pre- 
vent many species from becoming totally 
extinct. 
