[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1
Sr,—Though appreciating keenly the charm of Richmond Park as a representative area of the kind so near London, I agree with you in thinking that it should no longer be with- held from the Volunteers as an additional training-ground. A few Saturdays ago I saw pass by me on the way to Wimbledon past Ranelagh some seven thousand men, mainly Volunteers, who had given up their holiday to practise and become efficient in the national defence. Many I know did not get home till late at night, and the march out and manoeuvring were serious soldiering. It is not in pro- portion to withhold from them the opportunities which an additional 2,300 acres, with no enclosures to speak of, would give of practising the art of war, in order not to disturb a small part of the wild life of the Park. There is no reason why some compromise should not be made. They might refrain from firing blank cartridge if necessary; and might keep out of the Park during the fence months (May and June), when the fawns are born, and when most birds are breeding. If pheasants are to be put down (and a few pheasants do add to the interest of the Park as well as to the sport there), they could be reared in the very large paddocks the other side of the Beverley Brook. Rabbits form almost the only other objects of sport, and the deer are tame enough not to mind. There is no reason, if the pheasants are reared elsewhere, why the covers should not be thrown open to the troops too, though those in which the herons nest might be closed while the birds are sitting.—I am, Sir, [No one would, of course, object to reasonable restrictions of the kind suggested if only the main object, the securing of a manoeuvring ground for the Volunteers, were attained.— ED. Spectator.]
Previous page
