CRUEL SPORT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6326, 28 September 1907, Page 8

CRUEL SPORT.

A OOHNCTLLOR’S CONDEMNATION ANIMALS’ PROTECTION BILL. Discussing the Animals’ Protection Bill in the Legislative Council yesterday, the Hon. Seymour Thorne George tittered a strong condemnation of some sporting methods generally followed, such as the use of live ducks as decoys, the coursing of hares in enclosed spaces, and the shooting of trapped piireons. In moving the second reading of. the Animals’ Protection Bill, tho Hon. Dr Findlay (Attorney-General) stated that the need for a consolidating measure had long been recognised, and the Bill had met with the general approval of the acclimatisation societies, in whoso hands it had been since last sess ion.

He pointed out that the measure was mainly consolidating, and contained few* now features.

The Hon. S. T. George said that the protection of the stoat and weasel, tho natural enemy of the rabbit, was such n dangerous experiment that when it began ho warned tho Government igainst tho consequences in regard to ground game. He would in committee move to repeal tho clauses which protected tho stoat and weasel, because he believed that unless this was done there would be no ground game left in six years. 'When ground game was exhausted, tho vermin woxild attack lambs in order to secure food. He did not see why game should bo preserved for one class only, but tho Act re. Btricted tho sale of game to such an uxtelnt that ho could get none unless ho shot it himself or depended upon the generosity of his friends. Something should bo put in the Act prohibiting tho use of live decoys. Ho had known of some duck-shooters who / kept a couplo of live ducks with their wings pinioned, to act as decoys. The unfortunate ducks wore quite unable to fly away, and during tho course of tho day’s sport they were shot." He know r of no more cruel sport than the coursing of hares- Tho animals wore fed up so that they could bo chased for their lives in an enclosed space. If they managed to reach a place known as an escape, where the greyhounds could not follow them, they were kept to bo used again- Ho also condemned pigeon shooting. Tho birds’ wings were cut to make their light irregular. Sometimes stones and sticks had to bo thrown at tho traps to induce tho pigeons to rise. "When tho Bill reached committee he would take stops to prevent ’■ The Attorney-General: What yon used to do.

The Hon. S. T. George: ‘Yes, what I used to do, and what I know was wrong and cruel. lam perfectly willing to own up to my sins in the past.” He added that he would take steps to endeavour to make illegal the shooting of hares in enclosures, and the destruction of trapped pigeonsThe Hon. J- E. Jenkinson agreed with the previous speaker that other people besides one class ehould have an opportunity of tasting game. The Hon. Hr Findlay undertook to have clauses drawn embodying the points raised by tho Hon. S. T. George, though he would not say ho would adopt them. Referring to a number of minor amendments which had been suggested, ho said it would cause serious delay if the Bill was referred to a committee of exports. Tho time of commencing tho season had been fixed at 6 a-m. instead of midnight, because it had been represented to him that the practice of starting to use guns at midnight was a very dangerous ono, though he would imagine that no one would be lunatic enough to stand in a swamp at midnight to shoot at ducks. The Hon- J. R. Sinclair: There aie a number of lunatics about!

The Hon. Dr Findlay: I know sport is often akin to lunacy, as in-the case of alpine climbing, but I am speaking as ono who sits in outer darkness in this matter. The Bill was read a second time and referred to tho Joint Statutes Revision Committee