ISLAND EMU DEAD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 205, 13 August 1932, Page 11

ISLAND EMU DEAD

FRIEND OF PICKNICKERS 32 YEARS ON MOTUTAPU. “HATCHING LEMONADE BOTTLES.” Auckland, Aug. 12. “Jacob,” the Motutapu emu, is dead, aged at least 33 years years. The news will stir many pleasant memories of the days when Motutapu was one of the playgrounds of Auckland, and the late Mr. James Reid, who reigned for years as “laird” of the island, dispensed hospitality with lavish hand fo picnickers from the city. The outbreak of the war and the subsequent leasing of portions of the island to others wore mainly responsible for Motutapu’s declining popularity. A variety of imported animals and birds found a sanctuary at Motutapu, for Mr. Reid built up a collection, which grew to the proportions of a miniature zoo. Emus and ostriches were a feature of the island for many years, but “Jacob” was the last survivor of the family. From time to time emus were imported to improve the strain, and “Jacob” and another bird were presented to Mr. Reid over 32 years ago by a friend in Bathurst, New South Wales. They were the last emus taken to Motutapu “Jacob’s” mate was-shot at Drunken Bay many years ago. INVETERATE SCAVENGER. Motutapu was for many years the grazing ground for a buffalo, which was afterwards given to Boyd’s Zoo at Onehunga. The island also once had a donkey, used for giving rides to chil dren, and a number of deer, some of which are still there. “Jacob” was an inveterate scavenger. Picnic baskets always aroused his curiosity and he swallowed many indigestible things in his day. When anything was missed, be it a spoon dr a diamond ring, “Jacob” was customarily blamed. It is believed that his penchant for foraging led to his death. He was found dead on the island a few days ago, the victim, it is thought, of a poisoned carrot intended for rabbits. One of the last to photograph the bird was the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe. DOCILE AND FRIENDLY. The emu was called “Jacob” for convenience; its real sex was never known. However, for six weeks in the winter the bird caused intense amusement by squatting solemnly on a heap of lemonade bottles, under the impression, presumably, that it was sitting on emu eggs. In earlier days, in fact, emus were reared on Motutapu. “Jacob” was quite docile and quickly made friends with visitors. To children the bird was usually known as “Jacob Faithful,” a tribute to his tameness, ; — By contrast, some of the ostriches on Motutapu were far from friendly. A yachtsman, who went frequently to the island in the days before the war, recalled an amusing story yesterday concerning two footballer-yachtsmen who were inspired with the ambition to test their Rugby prowess on a particularly savage ostrich. They decided to tackle the bird in football fashion, each proposing to hurl himself at one leg. Unfortunately, they forgot that an ostrich kicks forward and not backward. The bird got both blows in first and effectively spreadeagled both its opponents.