MILKING COWS IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 221, 15 June 1936, Page 6

MILKING COWS IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE

Christchurch Novelty “SPORTING CONTEST OF A DECADE’’ Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, June 13.

Cow milking for charity is l the latest. In Christchurch, where some at least of the public men do not mind trying anything once in a good cause, this is being hailed as the sporting contest .of a decade. It is to take place in public. The match has been arranged between Mr. W. J. Walter and Mr. W. P. Spencer, both members of the Waimairi County Council, and all that is required now is the formal permission o£ the Christchurch City Council. The whole project was discussed very seriously at the last meeting of the Waimairi County Council. Mr. W. G. Chapman, the chairman, explained the details. A contest “had been arranged and would shortly take place” between two members of the council who vere well-known sportsmen, already famous for long-standing rivalry in such things as walking races along the Brighton Beach and pushing barrows up Casamere Hills. They would milk a cow 'each in Cathedral Square. The Mayor, Mr. J- TV. Beanland, would act as 3U It was explained that the contest would be decided on who could extract u gallon in the quickest time. Mr. W. S. Scott: Mr. Spencer will fill his bucket with froth. He suggested that the weight of the milk should be judged after a given time. Mr. Spencer: I don’t mind making a fool of myself in 'he interests of charity. , , The chairman said that, with a full sense of bis responsibility, he was prepared to do his fair share. He offered, with a great air of generous helpfulness, to hold one of the cows! Mr. Spencer announced that he had as much chaiice, really, as Max Schmeling against Joe Louis. He had not milked a cow for ten years.

Mr. Walter: Now that’s not what you told me. You said I wouldn’t have a hope against you. Mr. S. Priest, of Feudal ton, offered to provide the two cows. Pressed on the point, he agreed that the two cows would be as alike as possible. There would be no favouritism to either man. When councillors entered the chamber at the beginning of the meeting, it was noticed that two celluloid cows reposed on the table before the chairs of Mr. Walter and Mr. Spencer. ' “Thirty years ago, with the assistance of a boy, I milked 45 cows night and morning for five years,” said Mr. Spencer later.

Mr. Walter said he could milk a cow just as well as he could ride a bicycle. The whole thing was “as good as in the bucket” for him. Now that the challenge has been issued, the engagement accepted, the venue decided, and everything supplied except the buckets, the whole city is waiting for the great day when two of its leading publie men will be seen milking cows under the shade of the cathedral.