THE COUNTY “RATCATCHER.'

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11927, 22 October 1919, Page 2

THE COUNTY “RATCATCHER.'

A claim to have hunted every kind of animal in all parts of the world, from elephants to fleas, was made by one of the applicants for the post of executive officer for Bedfordshire under the Rata Order, 1918, Lord Ampthill, referring to this particular applicant at the county co'cucil meeting, said the individual sent them a' volume of interesting adventures, but the committee thought he was too ■ big a man to deal with rats. There were 26 applicants in all, including admirals, naval captains, colonels, majors, captains, and eminent scientists. Captain Arthur Davis, Bedfordshire Regiment, was confirmed in the appointment at £3OO a year, with £SO travelling expanses. \lderman Burridge thought £7 a " H9k an extraordinary amount to q - y for a rat-catcher. Lord Ampthill said Captain Davis , onld not he a ratcatcher, but an organiser of ratcatchers. Colonel Orlebar asked whether the duties included the destruction of sparrows. He regarded that as almost important as the destruction of rats.