EMU “ARRESTED”

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1931, Page 8

EMU “ARRESTED”

AFTER ATTACKING CONSTABLE. SYDNEY, January 12. After creating a sensation amongst the bare-footed children at Redfern, after causing three traffic jams during the peak evening hour, and after viciously kicking a constable in the ‘execution of his duty, an emu was arrested by Probationary Constable Smith ami Constable Bull at Redfern last night. The constables tied the bird’s legs, and, followed by several hundred admiring spectators, carried their captive -to the Redfern Police Station.

Last night Sergeant Shanahan, in charge of the station, in an interview, said that among the serious charges that might be pending against the bird were travelling in a manner dangerous to the public, riotous behaviour, obstructing the traffic, assaulting a constable, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and excessive speed. For half-an-hour 50 children chased the bird around the streets of the Redfern district, some of them, unfamiliar with such bushland creatures, being convinced that it was a stork belonging to a local doctor. Eventually it was headed in the direction of Constable Smith at the corner of Pitt and Redefrn Streets. The constable pluckily tried to tackle the runaway, but, making a peck at the third button on his uniform, it dodged into Turner Street.

Cars were blocked for nearly a quarter of a mile in various directions, and the constable, followed by a hundred children and a sprinkling of adults, ran into Turner Street. The swift bird doubled back into Pitt Street, disregarding a summons >to stop. It was rushing towards Cleveland Street when Constable Smith caught it bv the neck and one wing, and the bird made another desperate bid for liberty. However, becoming resigned to its arrest, it sat down. In the words of the constable’s official report, “I put my hand on it; it sat down, and I held it.” Constable Bull, who had noticed the crowd, shouldered his way to the spot where the bird was in custody. He was quite prepared to come upon a scene of disorder and perhaps bloodshed, but found that instead of baton all that was required was cord to tie the captive’s legs. When it was being tied it kicked one of the constables, and the crowd, evidently in sympathy with the bird, which is supposed to be a local resident, stood stolidly by, offering no assistance to the assaulted officer. Last night Sergeant Shanahan was endeavouring to secure a tin of nails for the prisoner’s supper.