Elephant Found On Mayor’s Front Lawn

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 12

Elephant Found On Mayor’s Front Lawn

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 17. The Mayor of Hawera 'Mr F. W. Finer) has a mighty problem but as yet has no way of overcoming it. • His problem is how to dispose of a 6ft very heavy and most definitely unwanted white elephant which holds pride of place on the front lawn outside his Wilson street home. The elephant, made of wood and wire, was deposited on the lawn by practical jokers on Saturday night but it was not discovered until Mrs Finer rose to make an early morning cup of tea at 5 a m. today. “I was looking out of the bedroom window and thought I was seeing things,” she said. "We were out late on Saturday night and I was unable to sleep so I decided to make a cup of tea. As I glanced through the window I saw an elephant staring balefully at me through the glass,” she said. “Had it been a pink one then perhaps there may have been some answer, but this one was white,” she said. Mr Finer disclosed that he

was sure that he knew who was responsible for the joke and he made a hurried trip to the Hawera Savage Club's headquarters this afternoon. He gained little satisfaction for although it was readily admitted that several knew of the joke none ventured forth to claim ownership of the elephant. Members were sorry but there was just nothing that they could do about it. Perhaps Mr Finer would arrange for a truck to cart the “orphan” to some other part of Taranaki? This suggestion met with approval of all at the club . . . all. that is, except Mr Finer. In the meantime, up to a late hour tonight, the “animal” was proving a great attraction and hundreds of children and their parents left their homes to view the massive beast as it stood impassively on the front lawn with its trunk swaying in the breeze.