TWO STEERS ESCAPE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 56, 29 November 1929, Page 10

TWO STEERS ESCAPE

EXCITEMENT ON THE WATERFRONT That a wharf labourer’s work is not entirely devoid of excitement was amply demonstrated on the King's Wharf last night, when two excited steers broke loose as they were being removed from a railway wagou to a sling, preparatory to a journey to Lyttelton in the Totara’s hold. When the work of coaxing the animals out of the wagon into the sling had been proceeding for some twenty minutes, one animal, evidently adverse to the seafaring life, made a dive through the canvas screen that was somewhat optimistically meant to prevent such unruly behaviour, and landed on the wharf. “Safety first” was the rule followed by all present, except one amateur toreador, who, trustingly laying hands on the overwrought animal, bit the dust —or to be more accurate. the slippery surface of the wharf rather heavily, but fortunately suffered no damage..

With this last obstacle to his freedom removed, the steer gazed wildly round, and then, with more than one fall, owing to the slippery surface., made his way along I’ipitea Wharf and out on to the wilds of the Thorndon reclamation. He was not suffered to depart in peaee. however, for both on foot and in ears his pursuers followed. When they returned a little later they did not* bring the anima) with them, but only the tale of how two lovers had received a rude shock, ami would probably not choose the wharves on which to whisper sweet nothings for some time to come. Work was once again started, but the next animal also decided that his he. b did m jt require a sea voyage and he. too. crashed through the can va screen on to the wharf. Once again there was a scatter for safety—and this time not even one brave soul sough' to interpose himself between the mol *iml its shortest cut to free dom. and slinpin . and sliding. the see 0II( , animal disappeared into the dark ness. Search parties again set out. but lute last nigh: .wither animal had been recaptured. _ .