84 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
The Union Castle Steamship' Company write 
as follows : — 
4 zebras, 7 monkeys, 1 antelope, etc., on 
"Comrie Castle." 
With reference to the above animals com- 
ing forward from Durban, South Africa, by the 
S.S. "Comrie Castle," we beg to state these 
consignments are always carried on deck at 
Shipper's risk, and do not therefore occupy any 
cargo space in the hold of the steamer. The 
food is also carried on board on deck at Ship- 
per's risk. 
(Signed) The Union Castle Steamship Com, 
3/4, Fenchurch Street, City." 
"Dear Sir, 
28 boxes Animals, Snakes and Birds, 
per s.s. "Media," from Calcutta. 
Referring to the above shipment, we have 
to inform you these animals are always carried 
on deck at Shipper's risk, and consequently do 
not take up any cargo space in the holds of 
the steamer. 
At present we have no advice as to where 
the fodder has been carried on this occason, 
. but would probably be placed in one of the deck 
houses. 
Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) Alex. Howden and Co. 
50, Lime Street, City. 
I6th March, 1917." 
Reading the above, I think my readers will 
agree with me that it is a pity that Col. Lockwood, 
M.P., after being assured by a business man of 
forty years standing, that food space has never 
been occupied, and never is occupied, should ven- 
ture opinions on the Importations of Wild Animals 
of which he knows nothing whatever. I thank 
him for saying "that he did not wish to injure 
Hamlyn"; still I am very anxious to know who 
asked him to put the question. I shall, however, 
know sooner or later. 
GEORGE EDGAR, 
2, Chartham Terrace, Ramsgate. 
We now come to the originator of these mis- 
representations. During the last forty years it has 
been my practice to make a point of "knowing my 
private and public enemies. To that end I sent 
an investigator to Ramsgate to enquire what man- 
ner of man was George Edgar. The report is as 
follows : — 
"Sir, — In reply to your enquiry re Mr. Geo. 
Edgar, I have ascertained that he is a journalist! 
of some importance, being a writer for the 
"Times" and "Daily Mail." 
" He appears to' be held in high esteem by 
Lord Northcliffe, as I have been informed on 
very good authority that he has been enter- 
tained by his Lordship at his fishing preserves, 
and in Ramsgate he is looked upon as being a 
rather good sport. 
"The house he at present occupies is one 
of the best in the town. 
"This is all the information I can give you. 
"Ramsgate, March 9th, 1917." 
I was quite unaware that it was the custom of 
the Press to publish supposed' private letters from 
their own reporters with a view to self advertise- 
ment. I consider Lord Northcliffe, with his at- 
tendant satellite, George Edgar, would have been 
much better employed in remedying serious evils, 
than in providing a mare's nest for the readers 
of "The Daily Mail," and at the same time serious- 
ly injuring a business of forty years' standing. 
Although fifty-nine years of age, I still have many 
ambitions in life, the latest one in particular is to 
have a personal interview with George Edgar. 
He is stipposed to be a "rather good sport." I 
might say I always have been onei- 
THE FACTS OF THE CASE 
are very simple and straightforward. They deserve 
the assistance and sympathy of every honest man. 
My only object in giving these particulars is to 
put myself right with the general public and up- 
hold the only business of its kind in Great Britain. 
At the commencement of the War the Contin- 
ental Wild Beast Trade was entirely closed. The 
American buyers were entirely at a loss for their 
usual supplies, which were considerable. I was 
approached by one of the largest Dealers in New 
York to supply him with every description of Wild 
Animals, Birds, Reptiles, also Norwich and York- 
shire Canaries. One Agent was appointed in Cal- 
cutta. Two' Collectors were sent out, one to 
South Africa, the other to Sumutra, Dutch Indies. 
The South African Collector is now on his way 
home on the "Comrie Castle," the one in Sumutra 
remains there still collecting. 
I state here most emphatically that all the 
goods I have received from distant parts since 
1914 have been transhipped to New York. None 
— with the exception of a few monkeys — have been 
sold in Great Britain. 
During my interview with the Secretary of the 
Import 1 Restrictions, this particular question was 
asked me : — ■ 
"Why did I advertise the elephants and 
other stock for sale, if they were not for Great 
Britain?" 
The answer was : — 
"Only to show the general public and my 
competitors that business was carried on as 
usual; thai (here was valuable business to be 
