Vol. XXIV. “I 
1925. J 
Annual Congress 
205 
A notable addition is, by donation from the author, two 
handsome volumes of Philips’ beautifully illustrated work on 
The Ducks of the World. Two other volumes have still to be 
published. 
Little has been spent on binding for some time. In view of 
the congestion it was felt that the matter should be deferred. 
F. Erasmus Wilson. 
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESERVATIONS AND 
METHODS OF MINIMISING DANGER FROM FIRES. 
The names of those who are to act with the writer in this 
matter have not yet been furnished me. This was to be done 
by the Council. 
I had a personal interview with the Secretary to the Minister 
of Agriculture in this State, and discussed with him pretty fully 
both issues. While admitting the theoretical correctness of both 
proposals, he considers that except in a very modified form, they 
are impossible to carry out. He admitted that without some 
such scheme both fauna and flora will disappear. He suggested 
that reserves should not be made on a large scale in connection 
with each newly surveyed township, but that there should be a 
fauna and flora survey carried out for the respective States and 
substantial reserves established within the area of each charac¬ 
teristic fauna and flora. This is the conclusion we mutually 
came to and which I hope, when the representation of the 
Committee is complete, we shall be able gradually to work out. 
The difficulty with all reservations is that they harbour vermin, 
which the adjoining landholders like to see burnt out. The pur¬ 
chasers of lands adjoining such reserves when thrown open 
would have due notice, and have to respect these and protect 
them from fires passing through them, for the whole purpose of 
such reservations is nullified unless such exemption from de¬ 
structive fires is given. 
Mr. Loaring, of Western Australia, has during the recent 
A.A.A. Science Congress, furnished me with a schedule of W.A. 
reserves, of which I have made a copy, which is attached to this 
report.* I am now in correspondence with Mr. Loaring, and 
have explained more fully the main points at issue. 
If tiie Congress desire to continue the above committee, with 
myself as convenor, I would suggest that the Committee be given 
a definite name, either that suggested above, or some other, and 
again urge the Hon. Secretaries in the other States, to supply the 
names of their representative who will act with me in the 
matter. A single representative in each State will be sufficient, 
and more workable than a larger number.— Edwin Asiibv, 
Convenor, 8th Sept., 1924. 
*The schedule was received but has not been printed.—Editor. 
