Pig, Lambs And Goats In Children’s Menagerie

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 14

Pig, Lambs And Goats In Children’s Menagerie

“The Press” Special Service HASTINGS, November 22.

Mr and Mrs Malcolm Coop, of Tuki Tuki, own two of the country’s bestknown show horses, and their children at the farm own an amazing variety of animals—surely the oddest collection in New Zealand. . There is Oink the pig, Tony Pony the foal, the three goats. Mena, Titwillow. and Ginko, three lambs, amply known as Lamb, Lamb and Lamb, the ponies Flick and George, a cat and a large litter of kittens, and three unnamed goldfish. First, Oink the pig. She was found, a few days old. at Raupunga and was given to the Coop family. Now she is a monstrous 2001 b Captain Cooker, thoroughly friendly with all members of the family and completely housebroken.

Oink’s greatest joy is to come into the house for a biscuit. However, having a weaner in the house is one thing, but a massive sow wandering round the living-room is something quite different. Oink is discouraged from venturing indoors too often. Tony Pony, a three-week-old foal, was found motherless on the Atiamuri road. The Coops hoisted the leggy youngster ’.board their lorry and he is a happy member of the family. Largest and oldest of the goats is Mena, a five-year-old, magnificent white animal from Mahia. He delights to frolic with Mrs Coop, rearing to his full height on his hind legs and lunging at her fearsomely. Year-old Titwillow is a muchtravelled goat. He has visited Auck’and and Manawatu shows, travelling : n the horse float. Smallest of the goat family is two-nonth-old- Ginko. whose chief interest lies in a bottle of milk. Oink delights to go to the river, a mile away, when the children go swimming. Unlike Napier’s famous sow Susie, Oink does not swim—but she may take to the water some day.

This sow is content to race through the shallow water and root in the mud. Looking after this menagerie and in love with them all are the brighteyed Coop children. Will (seven), Susy (five), and Kip (four). booking after their jumpers Rajah and The Raider occupy a good deal of Malcolm and Judy Coop’s time, but they fully share the children’s affection for the variety of animals. The Coops’ ambition: To add a fawn to their collection.