5 
Mr. Sydney Buxton, M.P., in seconding this resolution, said that 
as he had presided at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the 
Protection of Birds last year, and had then delivered himself, he would 
not occupy more than a few moments. He fully endorsed the point on 
which stress had been laid, that not so much should be looked for 
from legislation for the attainment of the objects of the Society as to 
the cultivation of a wholesome public opinion. He was in hearty 
sympathy with the principle of the Bill dealing with the bird-catching 
nuisance which Mr. Sharpe was to lay before the meeting. He 
would, however, suggest that a clause should be inserted to show that 
the present Bill did not propose to interfere with the existing 
game laws. 
The Earl of Stamford, in supporting the resolution, said that 
in addition to representing the Selborne Society and speaking for 
himself, he was also speaking for his venerable friend and kinsman, 
Sir George Grey, who was beside him on the platform. Lord 
Stamford made graceful allusions to Sir George Grey, whose delight 
it had been to introduce and protect in New Zealand all the most 
valuable and charming of England’s birds. 
The resolution to elect the Committee as set out in the Report was 
carried unanimously. 
Mr. Montagu Sharpe asked the meeting to promise its support 
to Lord Jersey’s Bill, to amend the Wild Birds Protection Acts, 
1880—1894, which during the last session passed the House of Lords, 
but was thrown out in tie House of Commons. It will, he under¬ 
stood, be re-introduced in the present session. A resolution to support 
this measure was passed. 
Mr. Sharpe then introduced to the notice of the meeting a 
Bill which he had drafted for the purpose of enabling bird-catchers to 
be more readily dealt with as trespassers, and to provide in certain 
cases for the seizure of their nets, etc. The main clauses of the Bill 
only applied, in the first instance, to the Metropolitan Police District, 
but a clause was added making the powers adoptive. It was hoped 
that the Bill would shortly be introduced into the House of Lords, 
and the strong and vigorous support of the meeting was asked for. 
Mr. Colam, Secretary of the R.S.P.C.A., explained the objects of 
a new Bill, which was proposed with a view to extending the law r s 
against cruelty in the cases of wild animals in captivity. 
Mrs. Mallett and Miss Woodward protested against the 
attitude with reference to sport which seemed to be taken up by some 
of the supporters of the Society. 
A resolution approving of the Bill with reference to bird-catchers, 
explained by Mr. Sharpe, was then carried. 
After a few remarks from Mr. Salt, Mr. Howard Saunders 
proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Sir Herbert Maxwell, 
which was seconded by Mr. 0. Y. Aplin, and carried amid hearty 
applause. 
Copies of this paper may be obtained of the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, 
Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey; also Cards of Membership and information respecting 
the Society. 
