The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE. SEPT. 4 1905.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1549, 4 September 1905, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE. SEPT. 4 1905.

PROTECTION OP BIRDS. The intention, of the Government to give greater protection to the bird life of the colony must be heartily welcomed by all who take any interest in the subject. A good deal has already been done in that direction, but not sufficient to give anything like the protection needed. We have little sympathy with those who desire protection solely that “ sportsmen ” may have greater opportunities for though for their part a good deal can be said as to not allowing the destruction of game except at certain seasonsDealing with the list proposed by Sir Joseph Ward, the Christchurch Press states :—One of the pleasantest features of the list under notice is the inclusion therein of a large number of bush birds, which in the earlier days of the colony were so delightfully numerous, but which are passing, some slowly, others all too quickly, into the oblivion of extinction. All, in one way. or another, sadly diminished though their numbers be, add a charming interest to life' and travel’ in the bush, and too little, attention has been paid to their claim for protection. Prom every part of the colony comes the tale of our varnishing native bird life. But at last some effort is to be made to preserve what is left. Pantails, warblers, white-eyes, robins, wrens, “tom-tits,” thrushes, native larks, parrakeets, and many others will be able to claim such protection as the law already affords to the bell-bird, the tui, and the huia. As for the kingfisher, the importation of a foreign fish is no longer deemed to justify the destruction of a beautiful and characteristic native bird, whose diet includes much less trout than anglers are willing to believe. The woodhen is still beyond the pale of the law. It is no use denying that it has a strongly developed taste for eggs and nestlings, but on the credit side of the ledger must be put its prowess as a rabbitkiller. With its sober-hued dress and its shy and furtive appearance, it has the brazen effrontery of a cheap-jack and the audacity of a London pickpocket. But the bush would be duller without it, and even it, hardy and resourceful as it is, is suffering under the new conditions of life in New Zealand, the Minister might well consider whether some mercy should not be shown to this Ishmael among birds. The destruction of the native birds is of course in a great measure due to the imported pests, whose work is aided by the burning of so much bush ; but much can bo done against wanton people who have the use of a gun, and legal protection is highly desirable.

The Kia Ora Co-operative Dairying Company’s Gisborne creamery re-opens this morning, and works on alternate days.

>■ Jurors summoned for the Supreme Court sittings, on the 7th and 11th inet,, are notified that their services will not be required. Captain A. D. Chrisp left for Auckland on Saturday morning to assume command of the Union Company’s s.s. Taviurii, in the Fiji trade. Madame Heller will give a lecture tomorrow evening at TowDley’s Hall, silver coin admission. The objeot of the lecture is to present the difference of true end fraudulent medicines. Tests will be made as usual alter lecture.

Mrs Tully, aged 74, widow of the late John Tully, an old Wairarapa settler, died on Friday as the result of a shook from burns through her clothes catebiDg fire a fortnight ago. '

Thoro was a large attendance at Messrs Bain Bros. 1 auction mart on Saturday, and good business was reported. In the produce line potatoes sold at l£d to lfd, and onions from 3d to Bid. Eggs were in good demand at 7£d to Sd, hams at 7£d, and bacon at 6£d to 7d. In poultry there was a fairly large entry, and the prices realised were fairly high. The furniture offered was sold at a satisfactory figure. Messrs Miller and Craig report the following prices at the Central Mart on Saturday lost Laying hens Is 6d to 2s, pullets 2s: . roosters, black Minorca 3s, brown Leghorns 8s 6d: table birds 2s Id to 2s 3d; eggs 8d to B£d, butter Is, potatoes and 2d, onions 2£d and 3d, bacon 6£d and 7d, hams turkeys 8s lid to 4s. Owing to the numbor of entries the above firm have deoided to start their sales at 11.80 a.m. each Saturday so as to enable clients to get an early delivery of goods.

It is not wise in these days of etriot lioaneing laws to continue oven the most interesting discussion in an hotel after closing time. This was evidenced on Saturday evening, when a number of keen football enthusiasts remained in a town house disoussing the exciting game played that afternoon between Eaiki-Oity and "West End. At about half-post ten several were met at the door by the police and their names taken, and on the police entering the premises pothers were also found there. The gentlemen mentioned, together with the licensee T of the bouse, who it is alleged, allowed them; to remain in the house after hours, are likely to be called before the magistrate during the present weeh.