ARREST OF A PIG.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 December 1924, Page 7

ARREST OF A PIG.

IDENTIFICATION PROBLEM. DIVERTING GISBORNE COMEDY. Early risers who were abroad in Gladstone Road, Gisborne, one morning last week, enjoyed an incident in which the principals were Constable Strawbridge, Mr. T. O’Connell, and porker. It had just broken day, s ays the Gisborne Times, when the man in blue heard some suspicious grunts. But he did not require to make a lengthly investigation. To his astonishment, along the ftreet came a half-grown black pig. To arrest the vagrant was, however, more than a one-man job, and therefore he enlisted the help of a passer-by, Mr. O’Connell, and, after an exciting chase, the pig was captured. What to do with such an unusual prisoner was then the problem that arose, and it was decided there was no alternative but to take him to the police station. At the station it was not easy to find a suitable place to house him.' But, eventually, the problem was solved by putting' the animal in the only safe place of custody there — a cell

As might be expected, a capture so unusual afforded the police officials no end of mirth. More than one local citizen was innocently dragged into the affair. It was a good joke to tell an unsuspecting resident that the whole force was in a quandary. A “chap” without anv visible means of support had been locked up He would not give any name, and nothing had been found on him that would lead to his identification. It was not difficult to net old identities to inspect th e “prisoner” with a view to his identification. Then at last the owner was encountered. “Had the police seen a stray pig about?” The limbs of the law professed to be astonished at having such an inquiry addressed to them, and they soon changed over to their own alleged ddemma in having a “prisoner” whom no one could identify. Tn turn, the owner, who claimed a substantial period o f residence in the town, proved obliging. He said that he would accompany

them to the cells and see if he could render any help. With ail the customary precaution, the key was turned and the cell door thrown open wide. “Mr. Pig’s” owner stared with astonishment. Ther e was the “prisoner” with his front legs up on the hunk and his head lowered. \\ hen the merriment had subsided the pig soon found himself on his homeward journey.