534 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1899. 
Precis of the Proceedings of the Marsupial Conference, 
Hep in BrisBane on 277H SeprempBer, 1899. 
Chairman: Hon. J. V. CHATAWAY, M.I.A. 
Tie following delegates were present:—John Cameron, Pastoralists’ 
Association; W. H. Calder, Adavale; E. W. Bowyer, Aramac; R. Dawes, 
Barcoo; W. Bacon, Belyando and Clermont; R. C. Lethbridge, Booringa; R. 
Speedy, Bulloo; Nugent W. Brown, Burnett; Arthur Bailey, Cloncurry and 
Gregory; lt. Mackie, Condamime; W. H. Moore, M.L.A., Dawson; W. B. 
Taylor, Darling Downs; Stephen Egan, Gogango; Robert Gray, Hughenden ; 
S. W. G. Macdonald, Leichhardt East; R. M. C. McLean, Leichhardt South ; 
F. Cory, Mitchell West; W. A. Marks, Paroo; George Story, M.L.A., St. 
George; W. H. Treweeke, Waggamba; W. W. Hood, M.L.A., Warrego; and 
W. A. Cross, West Moreton. 
The CHarrMan, in his opening address, said :— 
You are aware that the Act to encourage the destruction of marsupials and 
dingoes expires at the end of the present year. There has been in the past 
considerable difference of opinion as to the working of this Act, and it was 
suggested by the Pastoralists’ Association, represented by Mr. John Cameron, 
and Mr. W. W. Hood, M.b.A., that a Conference of those that were interested 
in Marsupial Boards should be called, as it was thought that by this means 
we could get the views, and in very many cases, conflicting views, of those 
living in yery different sets of circumstances in different parts of the colony. 
The necessity for this was borne in on me by the fact that there are numerous 
applications for the alteration of the boundaries of the existing Marsupial 
Districts, and for parts of the country to be let off, as it were, from the 
operations of the Act. It is alleged, in many of the more settled districts, 
that the marsupials are now very scarce—if not absolutely extinet— 
and can be kept within reasonable bounds; and it seems to me a yery 
good thing that the suggestion has had effect, and we. have met to- 
gether to consider as to whether the Act should be re-enacted, and if 
re-enacted, what alterations experience has shown would make it work 
more smoothly and more effectively. At the present time, in those 
districts which are grossly infested with marsupials, the funds at the command 
of the boards do not afford any means of paying for scalps for more than six or 
seven, or, at the most, eight months in the year, and during the period that 
scalping ceases, the marsupials increase. The work of the Marsupial Boards 
has been of very great value, as I think everybody will acknowlege. During last 
year the expenditure was £29,129 5s., and through this expenditure some 
million and a-half of marsupials were accounted for. ‘The system of endow- 
ment which prevails in the Act now in force gives a considerable increase to 
the Boards over that of the Act of 1895, when the Boards received 10s. endow- 
ment for each £1 collected. The endowment during 1896-7 was £8,279 Os. 9d., 
and in 1897-8 £8,680 3s. 4d.; whereas under the present Act the amount 
already paid and due is £17,121 7s. ld, Thus, under this Act, the endowment 
paid from the Treasury to the Boards is more than double. . 
There are various minor matters which were constantly coming before the 
Minister which seemed to require settlement. One is whether dingo scalps 
should be paid for, and, if so, whether they should be paid for at an even rate 
throughout the colony. There is another question that has been brought under 
my notice. It is whether those holdings that are fenced with marsupial netting 
should be chargeable with Marstipial Board taxes. 
