“PADDY THE WANDERER”

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1939, Page 10

“PADDY THE WANDERER”

UNIQUE WELLINGTON FUNERAL. WELLINGTON, July 17. One of the strangest funerals held in Wellington took place to-day. It was held’ for a well-known dog, ‘Paddy the Wanderer,” or “the Irish Flying Dutchman,” who frequented the Wellington wharves, and travelled

New Zealand and overseas in any ship which took his fancy. This red Irish terrier had thousands of friends among seamen, waterside workers, and taximen, and the funeral was no mock affair; but a touching tribute to a good comrade. Paddy died early this morning. His body was wrapped' in a shroud at the Harbour Board shed No. 1 (where he died), placed in a coffin, and put on the back of one of the 12 taxis which took part. On the coffin were the words “Paddy the wanderer-—at rest.” Fifty or 60 watersiders and seamen watched the cortege start on its short journey from Queen’s wharf to the incinerator. A traffic officer led the way. Ever since people can remember him, the wanderlust was strong in Paddy. By air, land and sea, in the last 10 or 12 years he travelled all round' the New Zealand coast, and to many inland towns, and even further afield. He was one stowaway who was greeted cheerfully whenever he came aboard: He always came back «>to Wellington, as his headquarters. He acknowledged no owner. He was the friend of all who work about ships or the waterfront. I

It was after the'dog catchers .had caught Paddy in an unguarded moment that taxi-drivers proved their friendship by clubbing together and paying his license fee, and guaranteeing it for the future. He showed scant gratitude to his rescuers, however, lor a week later he left the town. It is said that this was his first sea voyage. Now and then he would make a run up the country with his taxi driver friends, and ho knew many of the North Island towns. He made a trip by air, too. a few years ago. Paddy was extraordinarily intelligent. For instance, he knew the traffic lights, and would not cross a street until green showed. For this reason ho was well known to Wellin’gton traffic officers.

Two weeks ago Paddy fell ill. The taxi-drivers sent him to a home for dogs; but he started to fret, and when one of the men went to the home with his cab, Paddy immediately left in the cab. Later he wandered to the wharves, and took refuge ?n No. 1 shed. A veterinary surgeon attended to him, hut the cold snap was apparently too much for him.