Image TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage Tile
Image size: 5120x7168 Scale: 35% - PanoJS3
Page overview thumbnail

Article text

We are glad to learn that there is a prospect of
the exertions made to introduce game into this
country coming to a successful issue. The phea
sants imported by Mr. T. Austin, of Banvon
Park, are doing well, and are now turnecTinto a
large enclosed space, covered with a netting, pre
paratory to their being set free. ? Covers hnve
been; planted around the homestead, and it is the
opinion of the gamekeeper that the birds have be
come perfectly acclimated, and will take kindly
to their new home. Their chief enemies will be
the native cat?, and these Mr. Austin has adopted
very active measures to destroy ; strychnine baits
have been set near the banki of the Birwon, and
hundreds of the destructive vermin have been
found lying dead by their holes. Mr. Austin
intends making another attempt to import part
ridges, and has given directions that on the next
occasion they shall be sent by a steamer, as it is
a remarkable fact that the greater number of
those- previously shipped have lived for ninety
days, 'and have not died until green food became
scarce. A subscription is being raised to pur
chase game at the Mauritius, where there is
reason to believe both partridges and hares can
toe procured AVo regret to learn that the attempt
to hatch salmon in the Crystal Palac;, has failed,
and that the introduction of ths king of fresh
water! fish must be postponed for another year.
But while theso exertions are made to intro
duce new species of the feathered and the finny
tribes, wo roust not entirely overlook those we
have already in Australia, nor the havoc which
is made' on their numbers by the unsportsman
like manner in which they aro shot down and
netted; ' To the unfortunate turkey, quail, snipe,
and wild-fowl, which are to be fouiid in abun
dance in many districts in Victoria, there is no
such thing as a season of rest from the gunner.
Wherever and whenever they are found, thoy aw
slaughtered, and if this praotice is allowed to go
on much longer unchecked, there will soon he no
birds worth eating in the country. ' We have no
wish to see a game law introduced hereto pro
tect the fera nattmc, but the most enthusiastic
opponent of Grantley Berkeley and his school of
politicians would hardly advocate shooting a hen
quail during hor period of incubation. Tlie ex
perience of the Botanical Gardens shews the ex
tent to which birds will resort to any. place where
thoy are preserved. Within a mile of Melbourne'
are to be found numerous specimens of nearly
every description of water-fowl in tho colony, and
a little respite would cause them to bo as nume
rous in other places where they are now never to
be seen. ' ' ??
If any gentlomah, or association of gentlemen,
choose to go to the trouble and expenso of import
ing game from England, it is not to bo tolerated
for a moment that they should .fall victims to the
first person owning a gun who fulls across them.
We aro quite sure that no man in' whose breast i9
implanted the British love of rural sports would
injure an imported bird, and if any fellow weraso
churlish, wo would havo him punished as severely
as if he' had stolen a sheep or bullock.
An attempt is being made to preserve the
Yarra for the angler, and to put down the illegal
practiceof night netting. Two men have already
been brought before the East Collingwood bench
and punished for this offence, and a society is to
be formed for the purpose of putting the law info'
force in other cases. In addition to protecting
the fish already in the river, the society,' which is
called the River Yarra Protection Association, in
tends assisting in tho introduction of other fljio
cies ; and as we thoroughly support all the pro
posed objects, we will let the association epcn!;:
for itself through their published placard : —
' Tlie objects of this association are to protect nml
encourage the breeds of native fUli (particularly tho
herring) at present frequenting tho larra River; to
assist in tho introduction, propagation, and protection of
foreign breeds suitablo to its waters, observing in each
introduction a wise discretion, so as to avoid fish Hint
destroy each other, ns pike do botti trout and salmon.
To raise funds, by means of public and privato dona
tions, and yearly subscriptions from its members, hnd
thereby provide a continuing annual fund, to be dovoted
to tlie following purposes :— 1st. For tho establishment
and payment of a nightly watch at those parts of tho
livor iuat arc at prC9CDt being constantly netted. 2nd.
To offer and advertiso rowaras to those who may give
information leading to tho detection and conviction of
the persons who are at present engaged in iho ruinous
(and now illegal) practico of netting. To employ coun
sel and prosecute such parties with the full rigour of tho
law, and to remunerate witnesses thoreon.
'?Other objects oftUosocioty in furtherance of these,
views : — To apply to Government for cotinlcimrioo and
assistance in theao purposes, also for permission to erect
watchmen's residences, boat houses, and protected
breeding beds in Studley Park and the Upper Asylum
Bend j and, if found necessary, to apply for a gnintin
aid. To form by-laws for the regulation of tho associa
tion, hold monthly meetings to pass its accounts, and
generally to discuss tho beat mode of forwarding its
objects. To applv to tho commissioners of police to
mako it a regulation of tin service, as far as possible, to
further tho objects of tho society, and to endeavour to
put a stop to the netting between Richmond Punt and
Princes bridge. To form subscription boat-ctuba for
tho use of Its mombera, and places of socurity foranglero'
gear.'
$