SNAKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18941, 12 February 1925, Page 7

SNAKES.

Sir,—l feel it to bo at least one Drivate citizen's duty to protest against the unBortation of any Kind of live snake into lis country for any purpose—exhibition or otherwise, be it poisonous or constrictor. I may be laughed at, bat a great factor in favour of my deciding on this (beautiful country for a' home, was the absolute pleasure of being able to stroll day or night in and among grass or shrubs in perfect safety and free from the _ fear of the hidden snake. If once a pair of snakes got loose, or even one female cobra, and began breeding, there would be an end of all such pleasure. Surely parents of young children will support and uphold my fears. The sight of a snake to me is repellent. I have killed the common harmless snake in Essex, and an adder or viper on the Mendip Hills in Somerset, after a narrow escape from treading on it. I have killed a brown or tiger snake 4ft. 6in. long in Victoria, Australia, and a black snake with its reddish under surface 4ft. Bin. long in New South Wales, in both the latter cases in the roadway, and'in one instance, near Orange, New South Wales, my horse repeatedly jumped out of the way of small dead gum boughs lying on the" dusty roadway. Until I went to our beautiful Zoo, I had no idea that even one live fox was allowed in our country. R. L. PUDNEY. 16, Wallace Street.