10 THE SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OP 



THE YEAR. 

 By S. H. Whiibotad, M.P. 



The Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire 

 claims to be a practical body, with definite objects in view, and 

 proposals to make as the result of widespread experience. It first 

 came into existence as the outcome of several conversations, held 

 chiefly in the home of its most energetic member, Mr. E. N. 

 Buxton. Its first year saw it in the shape of a modest and un- 

 pretentious group of gentlemen of wide experience of the outposts 

 of Empire, and a common enthusiasm for the preservation from 

 wanton destruction of many of its Fauna. It published in 1904 

 a Report which at once attracted kindly notice in the Press, and 

 awakened sympathy and interest among readers of all sorts. Last 

 year, the second year of its life, saw it fairly launched upon the 

 stream of public affairs as a going concern. 



Its list of members is now of considerable volume and influence. 

 The names of Lords Curzon, Minto, Grey, Cromer, and Milner, 

 and Mr. Alfred Lyttelton, MP., attest the fact that our great 

 administrators are alive to the Imperial obligation of zealously 

 guarding from wanton destruction the marvellous varieties of life 

 which are still to be found within the circumference of His 

 Majesty's Dominions beyond the seas. Among our Hon. Mem- 

 bers is the President of the United States, statesman and sports- 

 man, man of letters and man of affairs, one who loves both the 

 tumult of politics and the silence of untrodden hills, and whom all 

 lovers of nature remember with gratitude for the encouragement 

 he has given to the protection of wild life in the States and Terri- 

 tories of the Union. 



On February 2, 1905, we approached Mr. Lyttelton at the 

 Colonial Office. We were received with the genial interest which 

 was to be expected by all who knew the late Colonial Secretary. 

 And though he candidly told us that financial considerations and 

 the delicacy of relations between Downing Street and the self- 

 governing Colonies might prevent him from attacking the task as 

 effectively as wo might desire, he promised us that the great value 

 of the preservation of animal life should be pressed upon the 

 attention of the Colonial Governments, and that every encourage- 

 ment should be given from Home to the growth of ' a good 

 resolute opinion with regard to the preservation of game'; and 

 be followed up his protestations of sympathy by the practical step 

 of becoming an Hon. Member of our Society. That the views 

 expressed by this deputation were not lost sight of is shown by 

 flu; fact that despatches were issued from the Colonial Office 



