8 THE SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF 



of some very local species like the Pookoo in this 

 district. 



" The practical extinction of the American 

 bison was in large measure due to the slaughter- 

 ing of these animals to feed the workmen employed 

 in the formation of the Union Pacific Railway. 



"During the construction of the Beira Rail- 

 way professional hunters, who were paid a fixed 

 amount for each animal killed, destroyed the 

 greater part of the game within reach of that 

 Railway. 



" On the other hand, over 20,000 men were 

 provided with food during the construction of the 

 Uganda Railway without any relaxation of the 

 game laws in force in the Protectorates through 

 which it runs. 



" There is nothing to prevent similar measures 

 being taken for provisioning the workmen on the 

 Zambesi Railway. Even if the proposed permission 

 led to the completion of the Railway at a slightly 

 cheaper rate, the destruction of much, which makes 

 this country so interesting, would be felt by many 

 to be a loss to the whole Empire." 



This memorial was signed by : The Duke of 

 Bedford ; The Duchess of Bedford ; Sir John Kirk, 

 K.C.B. ; Sir Edward Grey, M.P. ; P. L. Sclater ; 

 Professor Ray Lankester ; John G. Millais ; Sir II. 

 H. Johnston, K.C.B. ; Sir Henry Seton-Karr, M.P. ; 

 Lord Avebury ; Sir W. Lee Warner ; Hon. A. 

 Holland Hibbert ; Rliys Williams. 



The directors stated that there was no intention 

 of granting permission to the railway contractors 



