Flinders Chase and Natural Resources

Flinders chase and early south coast settlers

Geoff Chapman has submitted his research, found in a .pdf file here.

Dene Cordes interview with Jim Tiggerman 16 Feb 1985.

See Ornithology

See Botany

See Bees

See also Other Natural Resources

See also Kangaroo Island – home of Tassie tigers, devils and megafauna

[1908] KANGAROO ISLAND RESERVE.

On Jan. 10 a deputation of scientific gentlemen waited on the Premier (Hon. T Price), and asked that the Government should take steps to preserve the flora and fauna of Australia by proclaiming a re-serve on Kangaroo Island. Mr. Smeaton said the Government of South Australia had been good enough to do something on a former occasion, but they felt that more was required. Professor Stirling (director of the Adelaide Museum) said two facts were incontrovertible. The first was that the flora and fauna of Australia were, to a large extent, unique and interesting to a degree above any other fauna and flora in the whole world. The second fact was that the animals were disappearing off the face of the earth. He had travelled from Port Darwin to Adelaide, and from Central Australia to the Western Australian border, and saw only about 100 kangaroos [sic] during the whole of his journey, a distance of about 2,000 miles. It would be a lasting disgrace if posterity could say that the people of the present day took no step to check the present rate of destruction. They were only asking the Government to do what was being done all over the world in the same circumstances, and surely it was their duty to take some steps to preserve the fauna and flora of Australia. An island was always advantageous for such a purpose. The portion they were asking for was surrounded on three sides by water, this leaving only one side to be protected. From a commercial point of view, they were anxious that such a reserve should be proclaimed, and hoped the Government would accede to their request. 

Mr. T. Gill (of the Royal Geographical Society) said that some of the land asked for was practically useless for settlement but would be a splendid locality for the preservation of the native fauna and flora. It was a lamentable fact that one could travel throughout the island without seeing any of the fauna which originally occupied it. On the expiration of the leases at present held on the proposed site for the reserve the land could revert to the Government, and be used for the benefit of the public. It would not cost a great deal to run a wire fence across the end of the island, and the other three sides consisting of the rugged coastline would be sufficient protection from the inroads of sportsmen. 

Mr. E. Ashby (of the council of the Royal Society and of the fauna and flora committee of the Field Naturalists' Society), said that when the previous deputation waited upon the Premier the Minister replied that if it could be done without dipping too deeply into the coffers of the State the area to be granted would be extended. The present deputation, however, suggested a method by which there would be practically no expense to the Government. There were three leases, comprising 246 square miles, with an annual rental aggregating £29 12/, and improvements worth £266 10/, which the Government were asked to cancel on their expiration. The leases were as follow:— John Hurst, 91 square miles, lease to terminate in 1942 [sic] [1924?]; W. J. May, 51 square miles, to terminate in 1924; and C. J. May, 104 square miles, to terminate in 1922. The Government were not asked to spend any money, but to reserve the area referred to as a national park, for the people of South Australia, and as a fauna and flora protection area in order that those species of mammals and birds that were liable to be exterminated on the mainland might be preserved from destruction in the interests of science, and also quite probably the applying at some future time some of the species so preserved to commercial uses. 

Mr. A. M. Simpson thought the Premier's sympathies were with the deputation, and in view of his favorable reception of a similar deputation in August, 1906, he hoped the Minister would do his best to accede to the request. 

Mr. C. Giles, who recently traversed the island from end to end, said he was impressed by the deplorable absence of the native fauna there. He considered the island an ideal spot for such a reserve and for a tourists' resort. The limestone caves were grand and weird, and just the things the public would go a distance to see. 

Mr. S. Dixon (chairman of the fauna and flora committee of the Field Naturalists' Society) said the establishment of the suggested reserve was of national importance to the whole of Australia, as in the eastern States there was no such island so suitable for the purpose. 

The Premier, in reply, said he had listened with a good deal of interest to all that the speakers had said. He felt that they had presented the matter to him in another light than they had on a former occasion and he would submit their request to his colleagues. The Government had already taken steps in the direction asked for by the deputation, as they had declared a lighthouse reserve on the island. But of late the eyes of the people had been turning to Kangaroo Island as a desirable place for settlement, and every week some increase in population was taking place, with the result that it was be coming increasingly difficult for the Government to agree to set apart for a reserve any area that would be wanted for agricultural purposes. (Mr. Giles— 'But the area referred to is the inaccessible portion of the island.') It did not matter, what portion it was. So long as it was on Kangaroo Island the people were after the land. However, he would like to do some thing to preserve the fauna and flora, and he thought his colleagues were of the same mind, but he did not intend to make any more definite statement than that he would consult his colleagues, because if he did perhaps some member of the deputation would paste his remarks in a book and read them back to him on some other occasion. (Laughter.) His sympathies were with the deputation, and he would see what could be done.

[1909] KANGAROO ISLAND RESERVE.

An influential deputation, representative of the several scientific societies of South Australia, waited on the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon. E. H. Coombe) on Tuesday morning, and asked that the area of 60 square miles, set apart on Kangaroo Island as a reserve for Australian flora and fauna should be increased to 300 square miles.

Mr. T. H. Smeaton, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said they waited on the then Premier (late Hon. T. Price) 18 months ago, to ask that a portion of Kangaroo Island should be reserved for the purpose of conserving the flora and fauna of South Australia, and with the idea of making a sanatorium of portion of the is land. They had the cordial sympathy of the late Premier, and were able to secure 60 square miles for the purposes named. It had been found, however, that in order properly to carry out that great work a larger area was required, and they urged that the Government should do all in their power to set apart a great portion of the island for the purposes named. The Hon. T. Bruce said the area they were asking for was 300 square miles. They felt that if they had that area they would be able to protect the flora and fauna of this country, and what was equally as important, would be able to interest the rising generation in that great work. 

Mr. S. Dixon (chairman of the flora and fauna protection committee) said this subject was of the greatest interest to the whole of the scientific world, because Australia possessed features that we're not to be found in any other country. They were engaged in a national undertaking, and found it was necessary to have a greater variety of soil and water conditions. Therefore they would like to secure portion of the Rocky River for the protection of the platypus. They wanted to preserve the kangaroo, the Kangaroo Island wallaby, the wombat, the lyre bird, the bustard, and all [sic] the other unique animals and birds of Australia. It would be a sound national investment. 

Dr. J. C. Verco (president of the Royal Society) said that from a health point of view it was important that a portion of Kangaroo Island should be reserved as a national park and sanatorium. 

Mr. W. Howchin said the Australian continent had a geological, zoological, and botanical history of its own, quite distinct from that of the other countries of the world. Their animals and plants represented conditions on this earth which had been extinct in the greater part of the world for many millions of years except in Australia. If they allowed those interesting and unique forms of life to become extinct the execrations of the scientific world would be directed against them. 

Dr. R. S. Rogers said if the whole of the island was reserved it would not be too large for the important work of preserving South Australia's fauna and flora, and providing a sanatorium for the large population that would one day be supported in this State. The climate was as near to the ideal as was possible to find anywhere in the world. 

The request was supported by Messrs. Edwin Ashby, H. Solomon (A.N.A.), M. S. Clark (president of the Ornithological Association), the Hon. F. S. Wallis, M.L.C., Messrs. G. Dankel, M.P., T. Ryan, M.P., Captain White (a member of the South Australian Ornithologists' Association), Mr. J. W. Mellor (vice-president of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union), and Dr. Ramsay Smith. The last-named said civilisation enjoyed the electric light and the telephone because experiments had been made on frogs' legs. Scientists, it was evident, deserved well of the community, and now that they were looking to Australia — a little corner of the slate that Nature had not, as was her wont, rubbed out — to give them clues, they should be encouraged. 

The Minister, in reply, said one could not but be impressed with the importance of the deputation, and the interesting and forcible way their case had been presented. There was no doubt that, though they were busily engaged in questions of the moment and the supplying of material wants they owed something to posterity. His only regret was that the step suggested by the deputation for the protection of the native fauna and flora had not been taken years ago, when it would have been so much easier to accomplish than at present. Cabinet had a great deal of pressure from an other side, for wherever there was a spare acre they would find there was a keen demand for it in order that it might be put to the purposes of production. That was why the Government, having decided to set apart 67 square miles, as asked by a similar deputation, had come to the conclusion when a larger area was desired, that they could do no more in the matter. He did not know that the aspect of the case had altered since then. The request of the deputation had his sympathy, and he would use his influence with Cabinet to obtain them a larger area, but he held out no hope that they would be granted so large a stretch of country as they asked for. One reason was that portions of it had already been alienated. During the last two years three leases had been surrendered on the understanding that portions of them were to be retained in consideration of the surrender, and surveying was now going on with a view to cutting up some of that land for purposes of settlement. It would be too much for the deputation to expect to be given the whole of what they asked for, but there were portions tor the east and to the north-east of the present reserve, consisting of land not too suitable for agriculture, which he, at any rate, would like to see added to the reserve, and he would use his influence with Cabinet to that end. That addition would increase the reserve from 67 to 140 square miles. With regard to the suggestion that two naturalists should be appointed to the board of governors of the National Park he considered there was some strength in it, and he would bring the matter before Cabinet. As to vesting the Kangaroo Island reserve in trustees, that also would be considered, but in a matter of that sort the Government should not be asked to spend too much money. Scientists should be sufficiently interested in their pursuit to raise part of the money needed to protect the native fauna and flora after the Government had set aside a reserve. Mr. Smeaton, in thanking the Minister, said that scientists and others were quite willing to bear part of the financial burden of protecting the native animals and birds. Mr. Dixon suggested that the name of the Kangaroo Island reserve should be Flinders Chase.

KANGAROO ISLAND RESERVE.

Our Kingscote correspondent writes:— General satisfaction is expressed through out the island that something definite has been decided on in reference to the flora and fauna reserve on the western end of the island. On Saturday Capt. White and Mr. Laffer, M.P., met the members of the Kingscote District Council, and decided on the boundary of the reserve. This will start from Cape Forbin, on the north coast, running south to the Rocky River freehold, thence south-west to the sea. The area enclosed will be about 300 square miles. When the fencing has been com pleted it is understood that protection will be taken of the animals outside the reserve and thus give settlers an opportunity to destroy any which might come on their holdings. With a motor road from Kingscote along the north coast to the reserve, down the boundary and to Kings cote by the road along the south coast, there would toe some inducement to main land people to visit the sanctuary reserve. This would not only popularize the aims of the Fauna and Flora Protection Society, but also indirectly help in its upkeep. Every motor car which came to the island to make the trip would pay £1 into revenue, 10/ each end for wharfage. This should influence the Government when the society applies for funds with which to make the roads. A rest house at the northern and southern boundaries, which could be rented by visitors, would also assist in paying upkeep.

FLINDERS CHASE.

From "S. A. White," "S. Dixon," and "J. M. Black," members of the Flinders Chase committee: Referring to the report of the meeting held at Kingscote on October 19 [1918], it is evident that the residents of Kangaroo Island do not appreciate the great benefits which the Flinders Chase scheme would be to him personally. It means, firstly, if a forestry scheme were carried out in time an increase in employment, and there would also be a large increase in the number of visitors, to say nothing of the summer settlers who would be induced to go there under our original scheme. In the report of the Kingscote meeting, which, by the way, does not mention how many persons were present, it is mentioned that "one speaker, with more than 50 years' experience there stated there were at present hundreds of thousands of animals on the island, and that they were increasing rather than decreasing." To people who have known the island for years, and who have recently visited it, this statement appears incredible. We accept the suggestion that a grubbed road would act as an excellent fire-break. It was further stated at the meeting that all protection should be taken off animals outside the reserve, thus giving the settlers the right to destroy those which came on their property. This is what we have aimed at all along, and is the reason why we have made a vermin-proof fence one of our principal objects. It was also stated at the meeting that "a heavy penalty imposed on anyone found destroying animals inside would deter trappers and others from going there." The experience of the last 30 years has proved this to be futile. The illegal destruction of kangaroos went on for years, and is still going on with opossums; the difficulty is to get convictions against offenders. We believe there has never been a successful prosecution. It was further alleged at the meeting that "it would soon be necessary to allow trappers inside the reserve is to prevent over-stocking." When the animals in the Chase prove to have become too numerous, trappers, under proper supervision, would be allowed to ply their trade inside the fence. The Kingscote meeting admitted that the mallee fowl which was liberated on the island some time ago has now ceased to exist This is proof positive of the necessity for the reserve being granted to a responsible body, as at present no one but legal control over it.

KANGAROO ISLAND RESERVATIONS.

From SAMUEL DIXON:— Your Kingscote correspondent is mistaken in referring to these reservations as grants. There have been no grants— only a series of broken promises. Some years ago the Land Office, in pursuit of a policy of getting rid of all possible land, dealt with Kangaroo Island; and, as a preliminary, the Conservator of Forests was instructed to report whether any of it was adapted for forestry. His report condemned the whole island, and so the land was then let in blocks at 6d. a mile on a miscellaneous lease of 35 years, with a right to cancel if the land were required for various purposes, among other park lands. 

In 1891 (as Chairman of the Fauna and Flora Preservation Committee) I called attention to 11,000 acres in Barossa available for forestry and native animals to be protected thereon, but the Forestry Department finally selected only a small portion, although the whole should have been taken to provide a clean water shed for the water supply; and all would have grown wattles or some kind of timber. As the result of this address, which pointed out the great value of the kangaroo skin (then 3/10 a lb., and has been 5/ a lb.) an Act was passed by which that animal was totally protected in Kangaroo Island. The protection was renewed by proclamation every three years for some time; and, although it saved them from complete extinction (like the Kangaroo Island emu) very large amounts were surreptitiously made by selling the skins concealed in bundles of sheepskins. 

In 1893, at the Hobart meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science, I carried a motion asking our Government to reserve the Cape Borda Lighthouse Reserve. The Harbour Board objected. In 1906 the Flora, and Fauna Committee received a letter from the board, asking for reasons why a lease of the reserve for a cattle run should not be granted. We called a meting in the Mayor's parlour. The Mayor (the late Mr. Theodore Bruce) was in the chair. I submitted a scheme for vesting in trustees all the western end of Kangaroo Island. On August 8, 1906, a very large deputation, filling the room, waited upon the late Hon. T. Price, who promised that the 67 square miles at Cape Borda should be at once reserved, and said that the Government was in full sympathy with us, and would consider the request. Mr. Price was bluffed off from granting the 300 square miles, acting under the parklands clauses, by certain officials, although the primary meaning of 'park' is on enclosure for wild animals; and instead he asked the two lessees to sell out. They asked only £28,000— on interesting claim, considering their rental. 

The next stage was when we learned, to our intense amazement, that the Land Office had granted one-tenth of the area (say, 12,000 acres) as freehold to the two lessees, allowing them to select every picked spot of that extremely patchy country. The late Mr. E. H. Coombe, when Commissioner of Crown lands, reserved another 70 square miles. 

In May, 1911, an extremely large deputation, introduced by Major Smeaton, representing Australasian scientific societies, universities, and South Australian corporations and district councils, waited upon the Hon. C. Vaughan, who said that the Government had every sympathy with our request to secure the whole 300 square miles, and that something more must be done than hitherto. He would make a recommendation to his colleagues, and also would personally inspect the land. Eight or nine months afterwards the Verran Cabinet disappeared. 

In 1912 Mr. Ashby and myself waited upon the present Sir F. Young, who agreed to our proposals, asked for an estimate for a fence and house, &c., and told us to find a suitable naturalist to take charge. He also had a Bill crafted to include three members for each of these bodies— University, Royal Society, and the Government. He did nothing— said the cost (£3,000) was too much; yet £15,000 had been spent on that preposterous folly, Vivonne Bay Jetty. 

The next year (1913) he promised to put £500 in the Estimates, but again nothing was done. In 1914 the Government wrote that, in view of the bad season, the matter must be postponed. About this time last year The Register stated that the Hon. J. H. Vaughan had a report from the Adviser of Forestry (Mr. Corbin), reporting very favourably on the possibilities for forest growing in the island—the full text has not been published. 

I consider that the Conservator of Forests made a costly mistake in his report on Kangaroo Island, with a rainfall of 29 in., and that the 12,000 acres virtually given away, could by now have produced a magnificent return, gauging it by the little patch in Wirrabara Forest (originated by the first Conservator, Mr. Brown), of Pinus insignis, which ought to produce something like £300 an acre — say 13,000 acres — £3,600,000. This failure to secure the 11,000 acres in Barossa, together with its output, and the Kangaroo Island output of kangaroo, opossum, and wallaby pelts, means the loss of tens of thousands of pounds, to say nothing of the Barossa timber, which could have been grown, and is now so greatly needed. These figures furnish in themselves alone a costly lesson of the waste of our resources, which goes on more or less in every State of the Commonwealth. Surely something is wrong somewhere.

THE FUR INDUSTRY - UTILISING FLINDERS CHASE

(From The South Australian, 8/10/25).

Many people it must be admitted, acquiesed in the preserving of Flinders Chase as a Fauna and Flora Reserve with good natural tolerance, looking upon it a good deal as a a fad of scientists who are merely desirous of preventing the extinction of native animals. The plans in regard to Flinders Chase, however, are designed to make the western end of Kangaroo Island one of the most productive and valuable parts of the State. 

Flinders Chase, embracing about 200 square miles of the western end of Kangaroo Island, was established as a Fauna and Flora Reserve by Act of Parliament in 1919, in the face of a good deal of opposition from persons who objected to the setting aside of a large area of country simply for the running of native animals and the growth of native flora. Few people realised that this reserve might, is time, become very valuable to South Australia commercially. Recently, however, the Fauna and Flora Board, which controls Flinders Chase has initiated a policy of commercial development which promises to provide South Australia in the next half century with a fur industry ranking in importance with the other primary industries of the State. 

Under the administration of the Board the Rocky River estate and homestead have been added to the reserve, and this has permitted of the engagement of a resident ranger, an islander, who, with his wife lives at the homestead. [Harald Hansen (1888-1964) and Violet nee Hindmarsh 1893-1959) ].

The Board has entered upon a deliberate policy of introducing native animals that are in danger of extermination at well as of looking after the animals already living on Flinders Chase. Black Tasmanian opossums are being introduced with a view to improving the opposum furs. An area of 14 acres has been fenced in and here the animals are kept until they are acclimatised. Already native bears from Victoria have been placed out on the Chase, and three pairs of rat kangaroos (a species nearly extinct) have been liberated. 

The Board is looking for an early development in the fur trade. A great need is to improve the quality of the fur bearing animals, and the methods of killing, skinning and marketing. In this regard other countries of the world can teach South Australia much and Professor Wood Jones (Professor of Anatomy at the University of Adelaide) is taking up this matter very enthusiastically. Chatting with a representative of ' The South Australian' yesterday, he mentioned that prices obtained in oversea markets for S.A. pelts compared very unfavorably with the prices at which American and other furs were sold. The South Australians did not kill or skin animals in the proper way, mostly the animals which were trapped worried themselves to death in the snare, and he proposed to find out how killing, skinning, and preparing for markets were done at the American fur farms. When these things were perfected there should be big prospects for Flinders Chase in the matter of fur production. 

He added that there were many good-sized rivers on the Chase with water holes in which there was permanent water, and the Board hoped one day to introduce a duck-billed platypus, of which rare animal there were still a number in Tasmania. The Rocky River, when it flowed, was a very fine stream, and there was an abundance of feed all over the Chase. 

There are no rabbits, the pests with which the Board had to deal being cats and pigs that had gone wild, and goats. The pigs were very numerous and exceptionally wild, but not fierce. The native animals, which were natural to the island, were opposums, kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots and native porcupines. He had found bones of the native cat, a valuable fur animal, but that was extinct on the island, and it was doubtful whether the Board would introduce it again lest settlers on the eastern end should object. 

" I have a great idea of the Chase," remarked Professor Wood Jones, '' and I think that in 50 years' time it will be a fauna reserve and, in addition, a valuable fur-producing place. Our next aim is to secure the Casuarina Islands, because there the last of the fur seals of South Australia are breeding. Then is quite a little colony on the islands nearest to the mainland. These islands are contiguous to Flinders Chase, and are overlooked by Cape DeCoudie light house. The lighthouse is connected with the Flinders Chase homestead by telephone, and the lightkeeper could watch the island for raiders. The islands are bare rocks of no use for anything, but the purpose which the Board propose to put them. They are not even easy to land upon. They are already a sanctuary and no one is allowed upon them, but they are not under the control of the Board. I believe, however, they have not been raided since they became a sanctuary, although they were shortly before being reserved. In the early days more than 50 fur seals were taken from one small cove. Each bull has about 50 cows, and the seals increase very quickly. It is scarcely necessary for me to point out how valuable to South Australia might the fur seal industry become if it can be established on those islands.

" There used to be an immense fur industry on Kangaroo Island in the old days. I have a record of a man (John Hart) who went sealing there in 1831. There was trade in seal skins with Kangaroo Island as long ago as 1813, 23 years before the Proclamation of South Australia as a province. The hunters in those days were runaway sealers from Tasmania, who brought native wives to the is lands with them. They were there for some years before 1813, for in 1804 a ship called the ' Union,' under Captain Pendleton, called at Kangaroo Island and brought away from these people 1,400 seal skins. Some of the families of the early sealers are still on the Island." 

Flinders Chase is not fenced, that is the Board's outstanding difficulty. Until last year the Board did not know what the boundary was. It has now been surveyed and a line has been cut through the thick scrub from north to south, 23 miles across Kangaroo Island as the crow flies. Unfortunately the boundary runs over rough country which could not be fenced, but the Board is hopeful of being able to arrange with the Federal Government and the Kingscote District Council to have a road made on the eastern boundary which would enable a fence to be put up. The Board has recently turned out pinioned Cape Barren geese, and propose to do the same with ducks in the hope that these birds will attract wild geese and ducks to the many waters on the Chase. It is proposed, also, to place emus there. There are none there at present, although Capt. Flinders found large numbers of them, they ware killed out soon after the visit of the famous navigator.

Natural History of Kangaroo Island 2nd ed. July 2002. Editors: M. Davies, C. R. Twidale & M. J. Tyler Royal Society of South Australia (Inc.)