A GREAT HUNTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1917, Page 6

A GREAT HUNTER.

A LIFE OF ADVENTURE Captain F. C. Splnns. tlie celebrated Hg cm me hunter, who was killed in action in East Africa was the hero of innumerable tales of stirring adventure in •vildest Africa, and the author of numerous works on travel and bic-game hunting, joined the South African forces fighting in East .Africa, and held t:ie rank of captain in the Legion of Froi.liorsmen. Tie was iusv over sixtv-tivu years of age. His faiher was of Hugne-

■ ••■' (".'tr.ictinu. and on his mother's side he was descended from the Braces oi Clackmannan. Captain Scions was eduCited at Bruce Castle, and at Rugby where he was famous for his liicli spirir, his love of violent mischief, and hi* personal courage. His schoolfellows showed their appreciation of his character by converting his name Selons into ''Zealous,'' which became his i.iekname. Vlion sixteen years of age lie left Rugby and spent a couple of years in Switzerland and Germany, where tie learnt Fiench and German. Whilst in Germany he attracted some notice in the papers by jumping into the K'nine during winter after a wild duck which he. laid shot. He had on a greatcoat and tep-hoots, which filled' with water, and though a splendid' swimmer he fouad great difficulty in getting to shore with 'is game. Whilst still quite a youth he had determined to cast his lot in South Africa. At nineteen he sailed Tom England, and in 1871 "fiijst set foot I r.pon the shores of Algoa Rny T ~. ISSI I ho published bis fot work, "A Hunter's

Wanderings in Africa." Tliis won > instant recognition, but, its nitthor received more credit from the ritics and the general public for ,liis wonderful prowos; as a hunter than for what lie hail done as a naturalist and an. »xolorcr. From the Royal fieographieal Society, however, he received successively the Cntlibert Peake grant, the Back premium, and filial!!', in ISM, the Founde-s' fiohl Mcdnl, the highest honor which it is in th? power of the, society to bestow. c Such honors art not mined bv hunting, and the map of Africa, to which he has oo largely contributed, shows how Mr. Rohnis won them. His services to natura' history also received recognition from Hit; Zoological Society, which made diim one of its corresponding members. In l!/S.'l Mr. Scions published his work, "Travel and Adventure, in SouthEast Africa." Amongst ..other matters of varied am. often thrilling interest, it remains an account of the historic pioneer ovpedition which its author so successfully led. During the first Mat.i hele campaign SrJlous fought with great gallantry on the side of the colonist.i, and was wounded whilst bravely protecting some waggons which ]iad been surprised by the enemy. On return to England after the campaign he char acteristieally defended his fellows-in-arms from charges of blood-thirstiness and cruelty brought nga-nst them by Mi. Lahouehere. The controversy ran for some months in the columns of The Times during 1894. Mr. Selous returned to Matabelelaiul in 18115, raised a troop when the native rebellion broke out in March, 181)0, and served throughout the campaign until the disbandment of the. Buluwayo Field Force. Afterwards he wrote an account of the outbreak of the rebellion in a book entitle*' "Sunshine and Storm in Rhodesia." Soon

after the East African campaign began he offered his services to the Authorities, although well advanced in vears, <ind bis oll'ej' was gladly accepted, because of his great experience as a guides and a fight, er in the jungle and hush.