BULL-BAITING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2480, 10 May 1909, Page 5

BULL-BAITING.

A REPREHENSIBLE CASE

Auckland, May 3,

The form of amusement' known as “buck-jumpin'' steers” is described by the “Star” as having taken place at the i’ukckeho military sports, and as being nothing but “bull-baiting.” The paper thus relates what took place At the close of the ordinary programme the crowd congregated round a stockyard into which was run from an adjacent pen a young steer. The animal was mounted, but after several ineffectual attempts had been made to induce it to buck, was released and another bovine was dragged into the arena. Half a dozen young men in uniform hauled on a rope attached to the animal’s head, and others pushed behind in the effort to get this “wild beast” into the stock yard. The animal, a white steer, evidently hadn’t a kick in it, for it rolled on its back and refused to be persuaded to go forth. Pulled on its feet, however, and at the same time subjected to the test known as the tailtwist, it rushed into the square. Here two heavy men mounted the steer and while several youths hung on to the rope at the animal’s head the two riders dug spurs into the brute’s flanks while others twisted its tail. Once again the steer refused to buck, and got rid of its tormentors by again rolling on its back. No fun being forthcoming from this wild specimen of the bovine tribe, it was liberated, and a third was dragged forth. This time the crowd was provided with a little excitement. A rope was passed round the steer’s body, thus providing the rider with something to grip. Another rope was passed round the animals neck and drawn through its legs so that three or four hanging on behind were able to heave on to its head. A rider was forthcoming, and with the application of spurs and tail-twist and a cut or two f|;om a rope, the steer, worked into a state ef frenzy, careered wildly round the stockyard, making pitiable attempts to rid itself of its persecutor. This it succeeded in doing several times, to the evident amusement of the crowd, but ultimately its “bucks’, became more feeble, and a successful rider rode the bellowing and frightened animal round and round, receiving the plaudits of the spectators. A fourth steer was liberated and driven into the arena, but on this occasion there was a general exodus of those within the enclosure. A warning cry was given to “look out,” and the animal, evidently more wild than its brethren, was given a wide berth, no attempt being made to proceed further with this form of amusement.

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