EVIDENCE. FROM AUSTRALIAN PUBLICATIONS. 355 



would be powerless. He was willing to be rated for the destruction of the Sparrows 

 if the work was done systematically. 



Mr. John Pitt testified to the havoc committed by the birds upon hard grapes as 

 well as soft. He had often to destroy a hogshead of damaged bunches out of 200 or 

 300 cases when lucking big grapes for shipment. The birds bred in the trees, and 

 solitary efforts to destroy them were useless. He had sent boys over his vineyard 

 with a kerosene-tin and a stick, and the Sparrows would pass over the lads' heads 

 from one end of the vineyard and settle in the other. 



Another speaker suggested that other birds destructive to fruit should be included 

 iu the provisions. 



Mr. A. Molineux <said he thoroughly sympathized with the meeting in their desire 

 to organize some definite movements for the destruction of Sparrows. The farmer 

 and agriculturist, as well as the horticulturist, suffered from the depredations of 

 those birds, and the damage done by the Sparrow was now admitted by every one. 



Mr. Hardy said the reason he proposed the rate to be uniform was that unless' it 

 were so, some districts might impose so light a rate that the Sparrows would bo 

 allowed to increase to the detriment of another. 



A proposal that licensed catchers be allowed to use poisoned wheat under certain 

 restrictions was objected to. 



Mr. Brauud and Mr. Iud thought poisoned grain would not be used because the 

 birds might fly away and be lost to the trappers, who would therefore not care to 

 use it. 



Mr. Molineux suggested that district councils might issue a proclamation, ap- 

 pointing a certain day for laying down good grain to attract the Sparrows and another 

 period for the free distribution of poisoned grain. 



Mr. Hardy did not press the clause, and it was withdrawn. 



With reference to a rate proposed to be fixed by the Government, Mr. Hardy said 

 the object in allowing the Government to fix the rate was thai it should be uniform. 



After some discussion, this part of the proposition was struck out on the vote of 

 11 against 10, the opinion beiug that the district councils should fix the rate. The 

 motion was agreed to. It was decided that a deputation of all interested wait upon 

 the Government on a day to be fixed. 



In accordance with this decision, about thirty or forty gardeners, fruit-growers, 

 and viguerons, including members of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural So- 

 ciety, waited on the treasurer (the Hon. T. PI ay ford) on Friday afternoon to present 

 the resolutions passed at the meeting held on Monday, July 4. Mr. H. Kelly, 

 who was chairman at the meeting, presented the resolutions, which were as follows: 

 "(1) That the Government be requested to bring in a bill for the destruction of Spar- 

 rows, to embody the following provisions ; ("2) that in all districts where Sparrows 

 are known to exist the district councils or corporations shall make a special rate for 

 the purpose of paying for the heads and eggs of Sparrows and other expenses incurred 

 in their destruction ; (3) that a certain number of men in each district be licensed 

 by the councils or corporations to carry on the occupation of Sparrow-catchers, and 

 that they be empowered to go upon private property upon giving such notice as may 

 be considered necessary during the day time and pursue~their calling, and that they 

 be paid at a fixed rate for all heads and eggs that they may obtain ; (4) that owners 

 of property should allow licensed Sparrow-catchers and a sufficient number of assist- 

 ants to go on their property at night up to 10 o'clock p. m., for the purpose of catch- 

 ing Sparrows with nets ; (5) that each district council or corporation shall appoint 

 some one to receive and pay for all Sparrows' heads and eggs both from licensed and 

 unlicensed persons at a uniform fixed rate in all districts ; (6) that all houses and 

 buildings be examined by a person to be appointed for t«he purpose iu each district to 

 see that all inaccessible places where Sparrows can breed be effectually closed by 

 wire netting or otherwise." He said that they did not desire the Government to 

 assist them— all they wished was for the Governmeat to briug in a bill to enable 



