VERSATILE BULL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1937, Page 5

VERSATILE BULL.

WORKS LIKE A HORSE.

TOTARA NORTH PHENOMENON.

PATIENT AND INTELLIGENT. • A big, black, pedigree bull, the property of Mr. R. Andrews, of Totara North, look* like any ordinary bull in his home paddock, but closer inspection reveals a phenomenally thick neck, massive shoulders, and a body that ripples with muscle. He has none of the heavy fatness of his kind. In another way, too. this bull is "different." His disposition is so kindly that he welcomes attention even from strangers. His most remarkable feature, however, is that he is the head of a fine herd of cows, and also an efficient farm worker. He ploughs, harrows hauls wood, makes hay, and on one occasion he carried his owner on his back for 20 miles. Horse Collar and Chains. Soon after Bully was purchased his owner met an old northern resident who told him of a bull which in the early days used to work with a team of horses. He decided f.o experiment. He put a horse collar on the bull's neck, attached the chains, and hitched on to a log. Bully was frightened by the log trailing behind him, but did not show any signs of bad temper. He brought his first log home in record time, and it was all his owner could do to hold on to him. This is the only time he has caused any excitement, and since then he has done all the work required of him. In the bush he displays patience and intelligence. He stands quietly by while workmen chop the trees down, and then drags them away whole with little apparent effort. He never hurrii's, but I goes patiently ahead, using his weight, and pulling a far heavier load than , a good horse. If he feels tired he subsides on to the ground, rests a while. and then goes on with the job again. : When having his photograph taken he performed all hia tricks with perfect

good humour. Children rode on his, back while he hauled t\v.> Ings as bigj as telephone poles. He ploughed a perfect furrow just to show what he could Ho. and all the time looked like a schoolboy having a holiday. With Owner Up. Recently. Mr. Andrews had occasion to fro 10 miles to a neighbouring farm to collect some cows. He put a saddle on Bully and covered the whole distance quite comfortably. Local residents were somewhat alarmed to see a bull being ridden along the road, and kept their distance. In one Maori village, men. women and children ran along behind, shouting ''A we. Te piiru (the bull), te hoihoi (the horse), te cow! A we!" But old Bully took no notice at all. and trotted on his way. One seeing such a remarkable animal, cannot help wondering if the traditional treachery of bulls is not the outcome of the harsh treatment they receive. At any rate Bully continues to respond to kindness, and more than earns the respect and affection of his owner.