THE ATTITUDE OF THE "0.G.S.A." TO THE PEA RIFLE,

Evening Star, Issue 12900, 24 August 1906, Page 2

THE ATTITUDE OF THE "0.G.5.A." TO THE PEA RIFLE,

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—ln reply to “ Amateur Sportsman/’ I would like, with your kind permission, to review the position of the Otago Gun Sportsmen's Association with regard to the pea rifle and other matters. The Association have a rule to the effect that pea-rifle shooting is absolutely prohibited to members, aud we find that this rule is being received with approval on all hands; indeed; it follows as a sequence, the rules being designed to afford protection to stock and property generally. In this connection it might be of interest to note that the Association have just sent out a lengthy communication to a number of representative runholders and farmers, setting forth the aims and objects for which •the organisation exists. When replies come to hand they will be of considerable interest, as they will "be an expression of opinion from those to whom sportsmen are indebted for many shooting privileges. There is also a rule limiting the hag, which reads as follows;—“ All members are ■limited to the following bag (understood to refer to not more than three days’ shooting): —Six swans and thirty-six other birds.” In drafting the rules it was considered of urgent necessity to have a rule to stop os far as possible the indiscriminate slaughter of the birds. No doubt, if it is thought necessary, the rule will be extended to cover other game. That there may be no misunderstanding as to the position of the Association, it might be as well to mention that it docs not primarily exist for the purpose of advocating a gun license, although members are in accord that some restrictive measure to cope with the abuse of pea-rifle shooting is needed. Nor are we in any way opposed to the work of the Acclimatisation Society. The Association will be found working along certain definite lines, the objective of which is the purification of gun sport and the duo protec. tion of native game.—l am, etc., William B. Taveeseb, Secretary O.G.S.A. August 23.