NOTICES OS SHOOTING. 185 



CHAPTEE X. 



NOTICES ON SHOOTING — SUGGESTIONS FOE THE PEESEEVATION OF 

 THE GAME — THE DOGS OF THE NATIVES AND BUSH DOGS. 



NowHEEE do we see better guns out in the field than 

 here, and a man is not known among the shooters by bis 

 personal description, but by his gun : " Used to shoot 

 with an old double Joe Manton ;" " Had a long single 

 Eigby ;" or, " Shot with my Purday gun ;" was the 

 manner of speech by which a stranger was recognized 

 among our mob. Any one who keeps his eyes open has 

 every chance of picking up a good gun here cheap, for 

 nearly every emigrant brings one out with him, often a 

 first-class gun, perhaps an old family relic, or the parting- 

 gift of some old sporting friend ; and this is generally 

 the first thing that goes when he becomes hard up on 

 lauding. I suppose it is owing to a different class of 

 men coming out, but I have remarked that we do not 

 see so many first-rate guns brought into the colony now 

 as formerly. 



There are several good gunmakers in Melbourne, but 

 all colonial work, especially little jobs, are dear. 

 The best powder costs 5s. per lb. ; shot 6d., caps 7*. 

 per 1,000, Some wretched rubbish is sent out here 

 in the shape of powder, and if the shooter happens 



