THE PRINCE LOSES A BET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 23

THE PRINCE LOSES A BET.

Lion-taming was the relaxation one day with the Prince of (Wales and his party in Africa. After much talk of lions, started by one that ran ahead of the royal train, Mr. Boydell, Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, mentioned to th© Prince that in the circus at Pietersburg there was a Hon which, twelve months ago, when lt was a cub, he had stroked and petted. Mr. Boydell'B theory was that unless Irritated by hunger the lion Is a friendly, pleasant-tempered beast. The Prince offered to bet the Minister £5 that he would not again fondle the lion, which by this time Is nearly full grown. A Playful Nip. Mr. Boydell, who Is a man of strong opinions and not only never wears a bat but also subjects himself to long fasts for reasons of health, accordingly went after breakfast the next morning to the railway truck where the lion is kept, accompanied by an official photographer attached to the Prince's tour, and the lion having been led out into the open-air and unloosed, he was duly photographed patting Its head. It did not resent these attentions, beyond taking Mr. Boydell's leg in Its paws and giving lt a playful nip. The Minister, Who is of English birth and a member of the South African Labour Party, and who used to be in th& railway workshops himself, claimed his wager from the (Prince, who paid up on the railway platform. Mr. IBoydell is forwarding the Prince's £5 note to -St. Dunstan's.