NO MORE OSPREYS

Southland Times, Issue 19519, 19 May 1922, Page 2

NO MORE OSPREYS

BRITAIN’S PROHIBITION. LONDON, May 31. By the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act some measure of protection from destruction will be assured to foreign birds. With the sole exceptions of. African ostrich and eider duck, importation of feathers of any bird becomes illegal, unless special permission has been obtained. Birds of paradise and other trophical birds of particularly beautiful plumage are not likely to be imported under license for many years, as the demand has been so great, and collections so foolishly reckless, that several species were approaching extinction. Fig ures relative to the South African ostrich feathers show that there has been a great falling off in traffic during the last few years. The quantity and value of ostrich feathers imported in an undressed state in 1913 and 1920 respectively are: — Year. Quantity. Value. 1913 i 849,1461 b £2,419,544 1920 268,9161 b £620,452 For “other sorts” of feathers undressed the figures are:— 1910 1,275,4131 b £1,069,926 1920 35,8771 b £48,234 A large proportion of these feathers are re exported, but the enormous decline in the quantities retained, especially of those grimly described as “other sorts,” is pro bably due to popular agitation and to that extent the Act is in accord with popular feeling. Will feathers except those of the ostrich be taboo? asks a Times correspondent. Only a few weeks ago a society lady appearing at a meeting to plead for the birds was found to be wearing quite a beautiful arrangement oi leathers; but feeling was turned to laughter uu explanation being made that tbe?6 feathers had in fact been those of a home-bred farmyard fowl, long since sent to table, and that the feathers were intended to show what art and a little adaptation could do without causing suffering to any creature. Possibly artistic inventions may be looked for along that line, so that a new industry may develop with profit to those who have been engaged in the past as leather workers. Again, there may be recalled the case of tne lady whose Long sweeping “ostrich feather” was cleverly made of fringed ribbon, gathered generously on to an invisible wire, the fringe looking just like fluffy fronds. —Press correspondent. FURNITURE REMOVALS. My removal was excellent! I am delighted!” Thia is the brief pleasing message from a client whose Furniture we “shifted.” We shall be pleased to handle yours too. Our men are experts. Our equipment the moet up-to-date in the Dominion. Estimates gladly given at our offices. THE NEW ZEALAND EXPRESS CO., LTD (