EXCITING PIG HUNT

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 November 1933, Page 5

EXCITING PIG HUNT

NINETEEN ESCAPE FROM LORRY

CHASE THROUGH CITY STREETS

AUCKLAND, Nov. 1. An exciting pig hunt, in which many men and small boys joined, with joyful zest, took place in Newton this afternoon as the aftermath of a sensational accident in which a motor lorry laden with corrugated iron, plate-glass, several drums of benzine and 20 pigs collided with a telegraph pole. The pigs, iron, benzine drums and glass were hurled on to the footpath and the pole was almost smashed in two about seven feet from the ground and lurched at a precarious angle, held by the overhead wires. The driver had a miraculous escepe from injury. The impact was heard streets away and the large crowd which quickly gathered was afforded an unexpected diversion when 19 small pigs, squealing loudly, began to run in all directions. One pig was killed in the accident.

Then the chase was on. Numerous small hoys appeared from nowhere and their number was augmented by several men. They set off after the fast-disappearing quarry. Some of the animals scampered away up the hill toward Karanghane Road, hut 10 nigs, wiser than the rest, made a beeline for the rubbish tip which lies in the hollow at the bottom of the hill. Nothing daunted, several boys, clambering through the maze of old tires and rusty tins, cut off the fugitives until two men came down and carried them by relays to another lorry. Meanwhile the hunt was continued up the hill and, after a good deal of excitement and much running, pursuers captured the remainder of the pigs, which were incarcerated, squealing vociferously, with their fellows. Willing assistants then helped to load the litter of oil drums, which remained intact, and corrugated iron on to the other lorry. The plate-glass was smashed to smithereens. The vehicle involved in the accident was ! driven a wav under its own power with its left side torn by the impact, j The pigs were accommodated in a earI rier’s yard for the night.