BIG GAME HUNTER KILLED IN ACTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2988, 27 January 1917, Page 3

BIG GAME HUNTER KILLED IN ACTION

THE LATE CAPTAIN SBLOTJS. '. Captain F. 0. Selous, tho> renowned African big-game hunter and pioneer, was recently killed in action in East Africa at the age of 66. Captain Selous was world-famed as a sportsman and traveller in unknown Africa, and spent many years there elephant-hunt-iliK and collecting natural history specimens. Ho was a slightly-built man of medium Height. His deeply bronzed complexion and a scar on the right cheek caused by the explosion of a rifle were evidence of the life he lived. He was quiet and gentle mannered, and has recorded many of his experiences in .various published works, -.including "Hunter's . AVanderings in Africa," "Travel and Adventure in South-East Africa," "Sunshine and Storm in ."Rhodesia," "Sport and Travel East and West," "Eecent Hunting Trips in British North America," "African Notes and Reminiscences." Captain Solous was born in London in 1851; he was educated afc Bugb.y, and was subsequently awarded the Royal Geographical Society's Cuthbert Peek grant, the "Back Premium," and the Founder's Gold Medal. He was also elected a corresponding member of the Zoological Society.' At the age of 20 he went to South Africa, and travelled in Matabeleland. A footballer of prowess and a. dead shot, he responded to the call of the wild.- and for many years travelled continually all over the country. In 1390 ho entered the service of the B.S.A. Company, acting as guide to the "Pioneers" Expedition to Mashonaland, exploring, road-making, jpioneering for them. It was a wonderful expedition. The pioneers numbered about 150 men drawn from every part of Capo Colony, and including some of the best shots and all-round sportsmen in the world. Frank Mandy, in an article on Mashonaland, pays a high tribute to Frederick Selous when describing this final plunge of the pioneers into the unknown, when 89 wagons went 400 miles from, Tuli to Fort Salisbury in nine weeks under his guidance.. Ho says: "Our *guide,. Captain F. C. Selous, the well-known hunter, did wonders. lam sure no other man could have piloted us as he did; his mere presence gave the men a sense of security. Besides being guide, he was head of the Intelligence Department, and his scouts—the pick of the pioneers, were ever out, several days' journey in front, to the west, and in the rear. When most of the difficulties had been overcome, and we were within 70 miles of Mount Hampden, Selous, much against his wiM, loft tho column to proceed on a niission to tho east. When news of his departure spread through tho laager a sense of insecurity began to take hold of tho men, and many prophesied disaster from the change. We started with a new guide; but, like a rudderless ship, whichever way tho column turned it came to grief. So much confusion and delay was the result that Selous was sent for, his mission It. tho cast postponed, and to the joy of nil resumed his post of guide." Captain Solous was in the first Matabolo war, and after returning for a brief time to England was in Africa again in time to witness the outbreak and native insurrection that followed later In the aamo country. He served in the present war with the Legion of Frontiersmen in East Africa.