OX OSTKICH FKATIIK11S THEFT HEPRESSIOX BILL. 17 



107. In what parts of the country ? I know of Mr w 

 one case where 34 birds or 34 worth of feathers MiT 1 

 were taken, and the thief was not trace 1. 



108. Have you heard of other thefts being y 

 committed in other parts of the country ? Yes, I 

 heard of another casa of one or two birds being 

 plucked in lower Albany. 



109. Have you heard that it is a general complaint 

 throughout the midlands ? Yes, I have heard a 

 good many complaints. 



110. It is not only the loss of the feathers, but 

 damage done to the birds through the plucking of 

 green feathers that is complained of ? Yes, I have 

 had birds come back with feathers cut off with a 

 knife ; it is very plain that a knife was used, 

 because with a clipper the cuts would not have 

 been so jagged. 



111. If the owners of ostriches were registered 

 and buyers were compelled to buy only from 

 registered owners, that would be a safeguard ? 

 Yes, to a certain extent, and if the registration 

 were done through the visiting police there would 

 be no difficulty. I find a difficulty in registering 

 because I have a bush farm and do not know 

 where all my birds are collected. 



11.2. Are you in favour of owners registering 

 themselves as possessors of birds ? Yes. 



113. And buyers should be compelled only to 

 buy from registered owners ? Yes. 



114. That would prevent buyers purchasing from 

 natives? Just so. I had to herd a lot of birds 

 once and my .servants used to bring feathers 

 tramped out and all of a sudden this stopped and 

 I believe this was because the feathers were sold 

 to passing buyers. 



115. Chairman.'] Who are the greater sinners in 

 buving the " smousers " or the local men ? I 

 think those in the trade and " smousers " too. I do 

 not think it is done by any farmers or by any 

 shopkeepers. 



116. Mr. HurndallJ] Have you any knowledge 



[C.I. '07.] Ostrich Feathers Theft Repression Bill. C 



