Vol. XXIV. 1 
1925 . J 
BARKER, Conference and Camp 
209 
At 8 o’clock the same evening Dr. J. A. Leach delivered the 
first public lecture on “Australian Birds,” illustrated with lantern 
slides. His Excellency presided, and introduced the lecturer, 
who dealt with our birds in a most interesting manner, and 
emphasised the economic value of the many different species. 
The audience was disappointing in numbers. 
At the conclusion of the lecture a hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded the lecturer at the instance of Sir Mathew Nathan, 
who referred in eulogistic terms to Dr. Leach’s work as a lec¬ 
turer, and expressed the opinion that, in issuing his little book 
on Ausralian birds, Dr. Leach had done more than anyone else 
to promote the study of birds among the general public. He 
trusted that the lecturer would be long spared to carry on the 
good work. Dr. Leach briefly returned thanks. 
On Thursday morning the party assembled at the Post Office 
when, as guests of the Mayor, they boarded one of the municipal 
trams, and proceeded to the Botanic Gardens. Here they 
were joined by His Excellency, and proceeded to inspect 
the War Memorial and the beautifully laid out gardens. 
The Mayor, assisted by the Curator (Mr. R. Simmons) 
escorted the party to the lower part of the grounds, where 
an uninterrupted view of the birds on the lagoon that borders 
this fine park absorbed the interest of the visitors. After a 
determined move on the part of the Mayor and some exhorta¬ 
tion from the State Secretary, the R.A.O.U. members were 
dragged away from the birds and persuaded to partake of 
refreshments at the kiosk. Mr. Gates, in expressing the Union s 
thanks to His Worship for his reception, expressed his appre¬ 
ciation, as Chairman of the Victorian Town Planning Association, 
of the numerous parks and open spaces of Rockhampton. 1 he 
party was then repeatedly photographed in the Palm Amphi¬ 
theatre, and a return to town by tram was made in time for 
lunch. 
Owing to the fact that the Governor had expressed a wish that 
the party should join him at the unveiling ceremony of the War 
Memorial at the Gardens at 3.30 p.m., it was decided that Con¬ 
ference should be resumed at 1.45 p.m. and adjourned at 3 p.m. 
Promptly on time His Excellency arrived, and business was 
resumed. At 3 p.m. the party departed per motor bus, again 
kindly placed at our disposal by the Ryan Motor Bus Co., with 
the ladies in Mr. Boldemann’s car. We journeyed to the Gar¬ 
dens via the Range, whence a fine view of the City of Rockhamp¬ 
ton was seen, and the party arrived in time to witness the 
ceremony. 
On Thursday evening the Governor entertained the fol¬ 
lowing members at dinner at the Criterion Hotel:—Mr. 
and Mrs. E. P. Mackenzie, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Barker, 
Miss Geissmann, Messrs. W. B. Alexander, W. F. Gates, and H. 
A. Longman. Others present included Miss Nathan, the Bishop 
