LONDON'S LATEST CRAZE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1569, 12 October 1912, Page 9

LONDON'S LATEST CRAZE.

LION HUNT IN SHEPHERD'S BUSH. A hundred young meu, for the consideration of a feo of 100 guineas per head, avo shortly to hunt lions in Shepherd's 13ush (says tho "Central News"), but the hunt is not to bo a battue of semi-tamo forest kings before crowds of spectators, which has been mistakenly anticipated. On tho contrary, it will bo one in which tho hunters run.the risk, and tho hunti:U experience nothing worse than a pleasant holiday. Mr. Bostock, of the White City "Jungle," explained to a press representative what is intended.

"Wo are frequently importuned by people of both sexes, who, wishing for excitement, ask to bo allowed to enter the lions' cages," said Jlr. Bostock. "In 60H10 cases, but in very few, these it.que.sts aro granted under proper safeguards. The lion hunt is to be a much bigger thing, and is .the outcome of a desiro expressed by many well-to-do men to whom big game hunting is scarcely possiblo without great trouble and outlay.

"I proposo to transform tho Stadiuiu and tho spare land outside it into a piece of jungle, with rocks, hills, tall grass, caverns, trees, etc., making it as difficult a pieco of country as thn kcenost ol big gamo hunters will wish for. "Into this wo shall turn half a dozon lions, and it will be tho task of tho hunters to catch theiu alive. I don't wish to disguise the fact that there will bo considerable risk to tho hunters.

"I intend to give tho lions at least, a fortnight's freedom, so that they may get thoroughly at homo in their suriouiidings before their recapture is attempted, and ,ps there will be amplo cover for them, the hunters will havo all tho excitement they can wish for before the hunt is ended.

"Tho hunters will be about 100 men who want tho experience, and arc prepared to pay a high price for it. Tho fee is 100 guineaj. You must understand that this is a privato affair, and that tho •public will not be admitted. "Each of tho hunters will bo allowed to bring in a few friends if he. desires, and these will bo accommodated in speci-ally-constructed cages at suitable vantago points. These gue-ts. with the stuff and myself, will bo tho only spectators." Mr. Bostock went on to explain that tho lions were to bo captured by means of ropes and nets, whilo there- would be pits hero and there info which tho animals mifrlit be- lured. Only in case of emergency would tho rifle be used,, m> that tho work would require nerve and courage, iiiul ought to produce some exciting scenes for the kinenmlograrili.