COLONEL WHITMORE ON SUN DAY SHOOTING.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 512, 26 September 1867, Page 2

COLONEL WHITMORE ON SUN DAY SHOOTING.

The opinions entertained on Sabbath observance by the Hou. Colonel Whitmore may bo gathered from the following report, which we clip from the New Zealand Times of the I9th instant. It is well for the interests of public order that his views were not affirmed by the Council.

“In Committee on the Protection of Animals Act, yesterday, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore objected to the clause forbidding shooting on Sundays, and, in proposing the omission of the words, he stated that in his part of the country the only legitimate duck shooting done, was done on Sunday, and he thought that poor men engaged in work all the week were better engaged in shooting on Sundays than in hanging round public houses. The Hon. Mr Meazics pointed out that apart from the Bill altogether, shooting on Sunday was unlawful, but Colonel Whitmore expressed a doubt as to the statement, stating that he did so on high legal authority. Mr Mantell said he would be glad to see a spe cial provision introduced, making it lawful to shoot on Sunday, and that if a close day in the week was necessary, some other day then Sunday should be chosen. He admitted that a large class of the community objected to such a thing, but thought that the time was approaching when the scruples of one class should no longer be allowed to bind the consciences of another class, and he went on to speak of wholesale destruction of birds in an embryo state, by eggs being cooked on a Sunday without any scruple, after being put by a pious cook into a pious pot, and cooked on a re'igious fire. At the same time he should not like to do anything which would do violence to the feelings of others Colonel Kenny, Colonel Peacocke, Mr Acland, and others, strongly objected to legalising Sunday shooting. The Council divided on Colonel Whitmore’s amendment, when it was negatived by 9 to 3. Mr Mantell afterwards, while disclaiming all intention of bringing religious subjects in.o ridicule, proposed to add after tinword Sunday, the words ‘ or on ChristinaDay, Good Eriday, or on any of the Saints’ Jays recognised by the Church of England.’ On being reminded that neither ' Christmas Day nor Good Friday coulii | well fall within the open months, be with- ( drew the first part of the amendment, and, subsequently, after some remarks from Colonel Kenny, bo explained that last j Good Friday, there had been a regular battue in all the woods around ; but in de- j fereuce to the wishes of the Council, he • withdrew his proposal. Major Richardson opposed the clause altogether, as introducing the principle of enforcing the observance of the Sabbath by legislation, a thing which he thought should be left to s every man’s conscience, and on whic ; i legislation would do more harm than t good. The clause was carried on the i voices.” 1