QUEST FOR A GOLD STATUTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 30, 30 October 1907, Page 11

QUEST FOR A GOLD STATUTE.

An opportunity is at last being afforded to test tho .truth.of the ancient tradition that the, monks of Boaulieu cast a solid gold and nearly lifo-sizo figure-of tho .Virgin into Sowloy Pond, a hundred-acre stretch of ■water on Lord Montagu's Hampshire ostato. r Lord Montagu,-.assisted by a number of friends, including Sir, .Thomas Trowbridge, began the work of netting the fish in tho pond. When this is completed the. pond will bo.drained.. .' :■■ \ . .';/.Thousands of fish wore landed, including pike, perch, roach, and bream, .and it is expected that before the operations arc'finished five or six tons will liavo boon captured; Some of the fish are being sold, but' largo quantities will' also ho' given away. The draining operations will be offected by moaus of a specially constructed tunnel, the water being run off direct into tho Solont,, half a miio away. Whether the; legendary golden statue of tho Virgin will ho found at the bottom of the lake remains to bo seen. Interesting historic relics, diowover, are expected to ho found, as the neighbourhood of thy pond has been the scene of many a foray in olden times. ■''■■,'■• After tho pond has been netted and drained, it will bo refilled, and stocked with trout from hatcheries at Hereford.