Vol. XXIV. 
1925 . 
BARKER, Conference and Camp 
211 
had been billed for Captain White, and the Union's thanks are 
due to Mr. Chisholm for stepping into the gap, especially as he 
was suffering from a sore throat. 1 hanks are also due to 
Messrs. Chaffer, Chisholm, Alexander and Gaukrodger for Ue 
loan of slides for the occasion. At the conclusion of the func¬ 
tion Mr. A. Boldemann tendered the thanks of the meeting to 
Mr. Chisholm, which was supported by acclamation. Mi. Lai - 
ker, Hon. State Secretary, took the opportunity of publicly thank¬ 
ing all those who had helped to make the 23rd Conference of the 
Union the success it promised to be, and mentioned the 
Government of Queensland, for railway facilities; the Mayoi 
and Aldermen of Rockhampton for entertainment; the School 
of Arts Committee and Mr. E. K. Cleeve for the use of then 
building; Mr. Ryan, the lanternist; the Ryan Motor Co., for 
providing transport; the Rockhampton press for the interest the) 
had shown in our meetings and excursions; and last, and most 
important of all, the Central Queensland Native Birds Protection 
Association and Mr. P. V. Maloney (Hon. Sec.) for the organ¬ 
isation of the whole programme both in Rockhampton and 
Yeppoon. 
On Saturday a whole day trip was made to the Olsen s Cave 
district per motor bus, again placed at our disposal by the Ryan 
Motor Co. A start was made at 9.30, and for the most part the 
run was over good roads, members viewing en route the progress 
made with the Yaamba water scheme pipeline. A halt was made 
at the Caves House Hotel, 14 miles out, where tea and refresh¬ 
ments were served, and our guide, Mr. Olsen, was picked up. 
A further two miles brought us to the caves. A small limestone 
hill is honeycombed with caverns in all directions, some of them 
of considerable size. The caves are quite dry and show none of 
the peculiar mystery formation of the southern caves; nor weie 
many stalactites in evidence. Some interesting false vampiie 
bats were collected for the Australian Museum, and a numbei 
of photographers operated at the entrance. A survey of the 
surrounding country was made by the ornithologists, and a 
number of interesting birds added to the list. 
In the evening conference was resumed with Dr. Leach in the 
chair, and a lot of outstanding items were finalised. I be tew 
items left over were adjourned to the camp. 
On Sunday morning two car loads of the party made a stait 
before breakfast on a visit to Mr. Lloyd's farm on the Port Cur¬ 
tis road, where on a large reed-grown swamp the party, includ¬ 
ing Miss Geissmann, waded out and photographed a brolga s 
nest with two eggs. The party then visited the house, 
where Mr. Lloyd’s family have a small zoo, consisting 
of three Native Bears, a Native Companion, an Agile Wallaby 
and young, a Bare-eyed Cockatoo and a cage with half a dozen 
kinds of Finches. 
After breakfast members were the guests of the Fitzroy Motor 
Boat Club at an outing up the river to the 18 Mile Island. 
