Stag Delivers Christmas Toys In Hawke's Bay

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 17

Stag Delivers Christmas Toys In Hawke's Bay

“The Press” Special Service

HASTINGS, December 18. Five years ago a party of hunters in the ranges found a motherless fawn. He was brought down to Hastings, installed on Mr John Harris’s farm at Pakowhai, and promptly called Bambi. Bambi has become a magnificent stag with a set of antlers which would be coveted by any hunter. His fine coat and his excellent physical condition indicate that life on the farm is all that a deer could want it to be.

The stag hobnobs with the cows, frightens the sheep, and shows an immence curiosity in all things pertaining to humans. Though somewhat over-weight, Bambi has retained one of the traits of his kind —he can run like the wind. In full flight around the paddocks of Pakowhai he is most impressive, attaining speeds of more than 40 miles an hour. Each ■ Christmas Bambi is pressed into service for a seasonal chore. With a light bridle and traces, he draws a sleigh laden with toys for the children. In his first year, Bambi visited chil-

dren living near Mr Harris’s farm. The deer’s fame has since spread, and last week he was in demand for two children’s Christmas parties in one afternoon. Bambi was a model on these occasions. He proudly pulled the sleigh up a ramp into the hall, stood patiently while photographers’ flashlights blazed, and allowed himself to be patted by scores of incredulous and admiring children.