Page:The Emu volume 20.djvu/148



For the first time, the annual congress and field excursion of the R.A.O.U. were held in Western Australia. The Transcontinental Railway having been completed and obligations to Queensland discharged, the Union seized the first opportunity of meeting in the distant "Golden West."

The large party started in the person of the president-elect, Mr. C. A. Barnard, from the north-east of the continent on the 4,000-mile rail journey to Perth and Busselton, where the rail was left for the field to be explored ornithologically near the southwest extremity. Mr. E. H. Barker, of Brisbane, completed the Queensland delegation; Messrs. A. S. Le Souëf, G. Goldsmith, and J. F. Thomas represented New South Wales; and Miss Macdonald, Tasmania. These made the party leaving Melbourne on Friday, 15th October, up to 21, and 10 others joined in South Australia.

As magnificent rains had fallen since the end of July, all were looking forward to their trip across the great "desert." However, little desert was seen. The country looked well, and wherever cattle or sheep were observed they were in forward condition. A keen look-out was kept for birds along the Transcontinental Railway, and at every stopping-place in daylight parties hurriedly left the train to gather some of the beautiful wild-flowers and to make a chance observation of the animal fife.

The train being luxuriously fitted and excellently managed, the weather cool and dust little in evidence, the journey was a pleasure to all. The various committees, notably the Check-list committee, kept steadily at work, and time passed rapidly and pleasantly.

Kalgoorlie, with its wide, tar-paved streets and electric trams, was reached according to time-table. Full use was made by botanists, entomologists, ornithologists, and photographers of the stay of some hours. Perth was reached in time for breakfast on Tuesday, 19th October. The party was welcomed by the acting State secretary. Major E. A. Le Souëf, who had stepped into the breach and performed well the difficult task of gathering up the threads when, at short notice, Mr. W. B. Alexander, State secretary of the R.A.O.U. for Western Australia, absent on a visit to England, was commandeered for scientific research in America. The morning was occupied in settling preliminaries and in paying official calls.

At 2 o'clock the congress began at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, where a meeting-room was kindly placed at our disposal by the trustees, for whom Mr. Battye welcomed the delegates. Representatives of all the States were present. Dr. J. A. Leach occupied the chair.

Economy dictates a summarized report. The annual report, indicating a busy and prosperous year of varied activities, was