An Official of Epping Forest introduced.
The Commissioner. Now, Sir, what can I do for you?
Witness. You can confer a favour upon me, Sir, by correcting some sensational letters and paragraphs on "Deer-Maiming in Epping Forest," that have lately appeared in the newspapers.
The Commissioner. Always pleased to oblige the Corporation. Well, what is it?
Witness. I wish to say, Sir, that deer-shooting in Epping Forest, so far as its guardians are concerned, is not a sport, but a difficult and disagreeable duty?
The Commissioner. A duty?
Witness. Yes, Sir, a duty; because, in fulfilment of an agreement with the late Lords of the Forest Manors (to whom we have to supply annually a certain amount of venison), and in justice to the neighbouring farmers, whose crops are much damaged by the deer, we are obliged to keep down the herd to a fixed limit.
The Commissioner. But how about the stories of the wounded animals that linger and die?
Witness. We have nothing to do with them—we are not in fault. I mean by "we" those who have a right to shoot by the invitation of the proper Authorities.
The Commissioner. But are not the poor animals sometimes wounded?