t:AMK AM) CAM l-; rKi;Si:R\ A TION IN /rLUI.AM). ^^^JJ 



plca>urc su|)|)lant dullness and monotony in llie heart of the 

 l)eholder. 



The writer canmH hut heliexe that if the attention of the 

 thinkiiiij and ol)>ei"\ant puhlic in this counti"\ could he seriously 

 directed to this suhject — if the certain results of inaction, in- 

 difference. nei(lect, and, wor-e still, of o|)];osition to the ])rinoi- 

 ples of g-anie protection could he hrouj>-ht liome to them, a large 

 majority would surely rouse themselves to find that modus 

 vhcndi h\ which the hateful conditions ahove suggested might 

 be staved off at a niininnim risk to themselves and their 

 interests. 



That the (lovernment of Natal has not been backward in 

 falling into line with other Administrations both within and 

 without the Union a glance at the history of game preservation 

 in this Province will make sufficiently clear ; and I am enabled 

 through the courtesy of the present Administration, and the per- 

 sonal assistance rendered by Mr. John M. Herschensohn, to pre- 

 sent such a brief view. 



Fifty years ago the first (iame Law in Natal was enacted, 

 and was known as No. lo of 1866, which fixed a close season 

 for game birds and crane (species not mentioned) from Sep- 

 tember 15th in one year to April 15th in the year following. 

 Twelve species of game animals (including hares) were pro- 

 vided with a close season between the 15th August and the 30th 

 November in each year. Eland. Hartebeeste. Ostrich, Secre- 

 tary-bird, and ■■ Turkey buzzard " (Ground Hornbill) were 

 declared Royal (jame. Provision was made for the protection 

 of growing crops, and a penalty imposed for contravention of 

 the Law. 



Eighteen years later this Law was repealed and re-enacted 

 by 22^ of 1884, by which the close season for birds was fixed at 

 from the 15th August to the 30th April, and for the game 

 animals at from 30th June to the 31st December. 



Wild duck were added to the Schedule of game birds, and 

 "rabbits" and bluebuck (Blue bush-duiker C. monticola) to 

 that of the game animals, while buffalo, " kwagga," zebra, and 

 reedbuck were omitted therefrom. 



Hip]>opotami, reedbuck. springbuck, and blesbuck were 

 added to the Schedule of Royal Game. 



Law 28 of 1890 introduced a provision i)rohibiting the kill- 

 ing of game at all times by means of traps, snares, pit-falls, etc.. 

 and the penalty for contravention of the Ordinance was in- 

 crea.'^ed. 



Rooi Rhebuck, bushbuck females, and " red bushbuck " 

 ( Red bush-duiker, C. )iatalci}sis ) were included amongst the 

 Royal Game. 



Law No. 16 of 1891 repealed all pre\ ious laws and re- 

 enacted them with certain amendments, amongst others per- 

 mitting the destruction of game birds by means of sticks, and 

 requiring the ])ermission of the Governor to enable owners and 

 occupiers (to whom the concession was restricted) to shoot 



