VALUE OF GROUSE MOORS 33 



valuable in many parishes that their 

 sudden obliteration (if that can be supposed 

 possible) would bring corporate bankruptcy 

 on these parishes, as well as on many 

 individuals. In many, it may be said in 

 most, Highland parishes it is from 

 sporting subjects that the main portion of 

 the rates, the sinews of local government, 

 is derived. In many parishes this is the 

 case to the extent of one-half of the 

 whole assessment, and in some to even 

 a larger extent. Relief of the burden of 

 taxation, both local and imperial, thus 

 afforded to all classes is self evident. 



Nor do these possessions militate in 

 any respect against any interest connected 

 with the national food-supply. So far as 

 grouse are concerned, the opposite is the 

 case, for they co-exist with sheep and 

 cattle on the same ground, and never has 

 it been said that they have any prejudicial 

 effect on farm stock. As regards deer 

 forests (where there are also grouse), 

 evidence taken by various Royal Com- 

 missions for inquiry, inter alia, into this 



3 



