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The Launceston Examiner of the 5th March 1888 (p. 1) carried the government
notice shown at right:
In the Mercury newspaper
of the 16th April 1888 (p. 3), under the heading "Country News"
the following circular regarding tiger bounty submissions was noted:
"Circulars re: rewards
for destruction of native tigers from Minister of Lands read. It
was decided to represent to the Minister of Lands that the heads only should
be produced, and this practice made uniform in all municipalities, to prevent
the head being produced in one and the skin in another municipality, and
the reward thus paid twice over".
Bounty claims were regularly
acknowledged in the local press: |
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.
"The head of a full
grown native tiger, captured at Connorville by John Smith, was submitted
to the Warden, and the "capitation" or decapitation grant of £1,
payable by the Government, ordered to be applied for".
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Launceston
Examiner, 13th March 1890 (p. 3).
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"Last week two miners
at the Twilight succeeded in killing a fine native tiger. It was
caught in a snare, but on the approach of Messrs. George Ward and J. Smith
it broke away, but was soon overhauled by a kangaroo dog. A grand
tussle ensued, but the tiger was handicapped by receiving the contents
of four discharges from a gun, and after a game struggle killed. It measured
6ft. from the nose to the tip of the tail, 3ft, in girth, and, 2ft. 9in.
high, and although the teeth were quite competent to do any amount of damage
amongst Messrs. McKenzie's and Hewitt's flocks, their worn appearance testified
to its great, age. The head and paws were taken to Fingal to claim
the Government reward".
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The Mercury,
15th November 1889 (p. 3).
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"A large tiger's
head was presented at the police station to-day for the usual reward.
It was captured at Hampshire Hills by a trapper named Harry Williams".
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Examiner, 14th
December 1900 (p. 7).
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Two
men display their macabre "trophy". This young thylacine was killed
by Mr. Clem Penny (at right) at Penny's Flats near the Arthur River in
1924, allegedly after it was hit on the head with a piece of wood.
The skin of this thylacine can be seen in a circa 1925 photograph
of the Penny family. Thylacines were starting to become very
scarce by this time, and any hunter who managed to kill one in those days
was especially proud. Well into the 20th century, thylacines were
still regarded as pests, and gained no admiration from the general public
until many years later, after the last captives died in zoos. Image
source: Weekly Courier, 17th January 1924. Courtesy: Moeller Archives.
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"LONGFORD - The skin
of a large native tiger was to-day on exhibition here. The animal
had been caught and killed at a place known as the "Den," and the skin
was brought to the council's clerk's office in order that the trapper might
receive the £1 which is given by the Government for the destruction
of each of these voracious creatures. The skin was beautifully marked,
and evidently belonged to a large strong animal, and could be readily understood
that sheep-owners in the vicinity where it was taken would be glad its
career had ended".
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Examiner, 7th
September 1907 (p. 8).
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"The heads of three
young native tigers were sent to the police station this morning by George
Nicholls, shepherd to Mr. Alfred Archer, of Palmerston, Creesy. They
were duly inspected by the Warden, and the necessary certificate forwarded
to Hobart, in order that the Government reward of 10s each may be forthcoming".
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Examiner, 23rd
October 1888 (p. 3).
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