31 MARCH 1928, Page 15

PIGEON SHOOTING AT ITS WORST

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sia,—In January last I paid my first visit to this beautiful place, and I found there the scenery and the climate, with a bright blue sky and blue sea, everything that could be desired, but my visit was entirely spoilt by the miserable shooting of pigeons which is going on there continually every day.

I am delighted that you have taken this matter up, and would be very glad indeed to sign the petition which you have suggested, to see if it is possible to bring this wretched business to an end. At any rate, if people must shoot pigeons, they might do it in some private grounds and not as it is done at Monte Carlo, on a sea front which is probably one of the most beautiful in the world. It must be a source of the very greatest regret to thousands of people who pay an annual visit to the south coast of France to hear 'continually the guns going off in this miserable sport, even when they are not compelled to Witness the actual shooting of the pigeons. Quite apart from walking on the beautiful parade, Wherever. I went within hearing of those guns in Monte Carlo I felt wretched, and for that reason was very glad indeed to :get. away from the place. It -was my first visit, and so long -as this .pigeon shooting . continues it will he my am, Sir, &c., Boyne Hill House, Chapelthorpe, nr, Wakefield. -