Lives in Cricket No 26 - HV Hesketh-Prichard

112 Gathering Storm described the film as ‘vividly portraying the life and habits of that ruthless and savage robber chieftain, the Baron de Tartas.’ Rather more important to Hex was the work he did on the campaign for the conservation of exotic birds, which culminated in an article written for Pearson’s in March 1914 under the title Slaughtered for Fashion . This was on the question of a Plumage Bill, intended to restrict the import of feathers for terribly fashionable ladies’ hats. The United States had restricted imports already and a Bill was to come before Parliament in early 1914: it was the sixth attempt at such legislation. The Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons but was still in Committee in July 1914 and eventually got lost in the preparations for war. The Prime Minister said on 17 July: I personally, and I think all my colleagues are, very strongly in favour of this Bill, and very anxious to see it passed into law in the course of the present Session. But it has, I am informed, been most relentlessly, yet at the same time ably, opposed in its progress through Grand Committee. It has now, I think, reached the report stage, and has the prospects before it of having to encounter again, unless something can be done, a very long series of amending proposals, to which it would be almost impossible, if they are persisted in, for the House within the limits of time now available to give proper attention. I earnestly hope that some arrangement may be come to between the promoters of the Bill and the small but very tenacious group of opponents which it has been its misfortune to encounter – an arrangement which, at any rate, will narrow the ambit of the controversy, and enable us to retain the Bill as one which we hope to put on the Statute Book in the course of the present session. I should very much regret, particularly having regard to the main object in view, if the time and energy which have been devoted to the discussion of the measure almost from the first night of the Session should be altogether wasted. Because of the opposition from the fashion industry, it was not until 1921 that an Act was eventually passed which prohibited the importation into the United Kingdom of the plumage of birds like ospreys, birds of paradise and others. In August Hex and Lily were back at Gorhambury, being recorded on the fifteenth as attending the funeral of the Dean of St Albans, Dr Walter Lawrance. Hex meanwhile, adding another string to his bow, was supposed to be getting involved as a judge at retriever field-trials, with various bookings arranged all through October. Then everything changed with the outbreak of war. Given his background, of course Hex wanted to be involved. He had already tried to obtain commissions with the Guards and the Black Watch, but was told he was too old. He tried other openings and was appointed as an assistant press officer at the War Office, but he wanted to be out at the front. One apparent possibility was to be a range-taker in the Navy and he made some kind of application, though it made no obvious progress.