Swan Drives

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31730, 13 July 1968, Page 12

Swan Drives

Sir,—What is the S.P.C.A. doing? No man who calls himself a sportsman would be one of the crowd chasing helpless creatures with boats. I wonder if they asked the Air Force to give a hand. There is no need to complain about the increase of swans. All that is needed is to collect the eggs, which are good food. Also', a young swan, if properly cooked, is as good as a goose- I knew a dairy farmer who used to give the eggs to his calves mixed with skim. I once heard a wounded swan that had drifted into my paddock. The water was too deep for me to reach it Its pitiful cries I will never forget It was hours before it died.—Yours, etc., M.G. July 11, 1968. Sir,—Unless someone has been indiscreet enough to “blow the gaff,” or the bush telegraph has not been operating with its usual efficiency, "The Press” will not have heard that another swan shoot at the lake is planned for this week-end. My information from swan headquarters is that the birds are less trusting than they were before June 9 and are unlikely to be driven like lambs to the slaughter in thousands this time. Possibly it will be in hundreds instead of thousands, especially as there are 2000 fewer than formerly. Let’s hope that you will be furnished with a full and correct story after the great day. After all, swans are real news these days, especially to your readers claiming

Federated Farmers membership.—Yours, etc., J.M. July 12, 1968.