BY H. H. MONTGOMERY, D.D. 7 



Chappell Island is bad enough, but the half-castes say that 

 Babel is so bad that, though a moderate fortune awaits them 

 there, they do not care to go. I may add that so barren are 

 these hummocks that every family commences operations 

 by stacking wood for two months, loading their boats on 

 Flinders Island, and filling casks of water. There is neither 

 water nor fuel in these places. I have spoken of petrels and 

 of snakes on these islands. I could a tale unfold about 

 another inhabitant, exceeding in numbers even the mutton 

 bird, but I forbear. I merely allude to the dread subject of 

 fleas. I leave to your imagination, which you may actively 

 employ without easily overstepping the bounds of reality, the 

 details of this theme which in that neighbourhood you can by 

 no means put away from your thoughts — and feelings. 



What practical proposals, then, can be made for the due 

 protection of mutton birds ? I have discussed the question 

 with magistrates in the islands, with all the half-castes, and 

 with white settlers. I think I may say that there is complete 

 unanimity among them all. There is no doubt what should 

 be done. One and all call for restriction. On one occasion, 

 a fine, stalwart fellow, a half-caste, and one of the best 

 boatmen in the world, was urging restriction. What he 

 really said was — " I wish, sir, when you return to Hob art, 

 you would put strychnine upon them." What is the sort of 

 " strychnine "we want ? 



First : The wisest plan would be for the Government to 

 resume possession of the mutton bird islands. Some are now 

 let on lease, such as Little Dog and Big Dog. One is in a 

 sense reserved for the half-castes, namely, Chappell Island. 

 But on this island two white families own small patches of 

 land, which they have bought. In both cases I believe they 

 are honourable men,, and have no wish to go beyond their 

 rights. Why should they not be bought out ? It would be 

 but a trifling sum, and the islands afterwards would be a 

 regular source of revenue. Some islands, like Babel, are 

 practically untouched by anyone. 



Secondly : If resumed by Government, why should not a 

 license betaken out by every person who wishes to " bird" — 

 so much for an adult, say, 10s., and a lesser sum for the younger 

 members of the family ? At least <£ 100 a year could be 

 received at once from this source of revenue. But even if 

 the Government does not resume possession (and I, for one, 

 earnestly trust they will take them entirely into their own 

 hands), still the points, which are simply dictates of common 

 sense, are these — 



(a.) That there be a close time for these birds, just as 

 there is a close season for quail : At present there is none. 



(b.) That no egging be permitted. The waste in past years, 

 and even at this time, is terrible, and there is practically 



