A NOTED HUNTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1921, Page 2

A NOTED HUNTER.

MR. HARRY K. EUSTACE. WILD ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA. Moving depletions of wild animal life are among the most popular subjects that can be introduced at any picture show, but a-s a rule these have been obtained at various zoos, or where the animals have been kept under some similar restraint. The photography of. wild animals under real conditions is an art that tests to the utmost the skill af experienced hunters, and, as a matter of fact, it is very much more dangerous than shooting, as the operator must be alone to get near his subject at all, and bn account of being entirely occupied with his instrument must be unarmed. Moreover, it is necessary to approach to quite close quarters; a rifle can accomplish its work at a distance of 100 yards, ! but the camera must be at a few yards and in some instances at a few feet, in order to penetrate undergrowth and foliage. Successful picturemaking of lions and elephants,. of rhinocerosees and hippopotami, and that most dangerous of all beasts, the African buffalo, is consequently a matter that only a man of iron nerve would undertake. He must be thoroughly conversant with the habit and temper of the beasts, patient to a degree;' and, above, all, quiet and unobstrusive in his manner of approach to avoid frightening his quarry or so attracting its attention as to 'bring disaster upon himself. Such a man has just come to Taranaki on a lecturing tour, illustrated by moving depictions, all taken by himself in Africa, where he spent some 27 years, chiefly in the pursuit of the elephant for ivory. Mr. Harry K. Eustace bears every mark of a man who has lived a strenuous life in the wilds. His frame is powerful, and he is obviously active beyond his years, while his eyes are open, round, and i evidently alive, yet with a lurking softness characteristic of some of the milder animals he has had so much to do with, and indicative of that sympathy and understanding that has mad# his success as a photographer in the- jungle so pronounced. It is only recently, however, that he turned his attention to the camera. For many years he was a hunter only, and it was when, just prior to the war, he paid a visit to England and was asked to deliver lectures in many places, that he realised its value and decided to go back to Africa and get proper illustrations. In this he succeeded well, as his pictures will show, but he was very unfortunate, as the war 'broke out while he was away. In German East Africa his camp was overrun -by tjie Huns, and thousands of feet of film and a large collection of birds’ heads, skins, etc., to the estimated value of £40,000, was destroyed. Mr. Eustace for a time was guide and scout to the South African Forces, refusing a commission. He broke down in health, and returned to England, taking with him a fine set of moving depictions of a great variety of animals, and since 1915 he has been lecturing with these, using in all some (?000 feet 6f film for the purpose. He is an accomplished speaker, quite extempore, his, lecture never being the same, as he is guided more or less by the thought of the moment, avoiding anything in the nature of a stereotyped address. He will give his initial exhibition in New Plymouth to-day. Mr. Eustace was born and educated in England. He left home early, having a disposition to try his fortune outside, and spent some time in Southern France, afterwards crossing to Morocco. He returned to England, did not succeed to his wish, and again went to Southern Europe. He became “stranded” at Naples, saw a ship going to Egypt, and took a passage, leaving himself 30s in hand. Arrived in Egypt he turned to various ways of making a living, passed up into the Soudan, and, continuing, eventually found himself in Zanzibar. Here he was advised to go south, and he did so. He entered Portuguese territory, and there one day came upon a pit in which lay a dead elephant. He took the tusks and cleared £B5 from them. This struck him as good business, so he bought a gun and turned “hunter.” For this he quickly found he was peculiarly adapted; he had the confidence and trust of his natives, and never being familial- with them was “respected,” while he had the natural temperament for getting to close quarters with animals. He continued a hunter for many years, not for love of the sport, but with a view to making good and getting back to the Old Country. This he did several times, but on each occasion fell hack on Africa, till altogether he has spent nearly years there, covering practically the whole continent. By this time he was well known, and on returning again to England was approached from all quarters to lecture. It was now he learned the great value of proper illustration, and he returned to Africa as. stated. Since then he has lectured in England and Scotland to philoso* phical, geographical, literary, and kindred societies of all kinds, he has had a great reception in Paris, appeared elsewhere in Europe, and just recently concluded a tour in Australia. Mr. Eustace devotes himself in his lecture strictly to his illustrations, treating as fully as time permits with the various animals, and humorously relating many incidents in . connection with the “kills?’ heedless to say, there is the sparkle of great adventure, and with his knowledge of the habits of the animals and his power of conveying everything clearly and impressively everyone is assured of a treat, however often they may please to go to listen to him. Some of his pictures are quite unique, outstanding being those of the white rhinosceros, an animal of which remains had previously been found, but which was believed to De extinct. Mr. Eustace speaks of Africa in a matter-of-fact manner that carries conviction. He has no fairy stories of the beasts; his knowledge is too intimate. The ostrich does not bury its head in the sand, popular as’the delusion is, nor does the lion only drink at night. The elephant does not rejoice nightly in sliding down hills; if he has to negotiate a liill that is'his own difficulty and Ins own trouble, and he makes the best of it. The giraffe may straddle his legs to make even his long neck reach down to the‘water, but if he does it is because the water is particularly shallow; he follows the habit of other quadrupeds and walks in till he can slake his thirst in comfort. Saddest of all, there is no burial ground of the elephant. It is true that the body of an elephant that dies a natural death is not to be discovered, but the reason is more simple than generally supposed. In old age he seeks his nutriment where he can most easily come at it, and the easiest place is in the swamps. Swamp ivory is quite common,'but the natives have been credited with putting it there, not, it j may be said, to the advnuiago of the t ivory, the surface frequently being badly decomposed.