AN EXCITING INCIDENT ON THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 172, 14 November 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN EXCITING INCIDENT ON

'•< A :i fidinewhat exciting adventure i befeltfourWaimate Plains" settlers on iMoridaylast^ who had- gone out for a dayte sport wild cattle-shooting in- the ■ bush •at the : batik : of Manaia. > They '•bad-killed one-old bull, and also sue- ' oeededin dropping another old stager •Which- fell as if dead. All hands > fcdyftnoed to ■ survey and admire the monster, when suddenly the bull rose, •uid Went straight for the nearest man 1 . Of course; ithere was a general skedaddle, and they all took to< their heels • • and made for . the nearest tree. Mr.

Clements, who: was .one of the party, -was somewhat unfortunate in his

ckolee, and had some 'difficulty in

getting up out of the bull's way. He •managed to climb just high enough to be able to feel the bull's horns brush-

ing his heels, in its efforts to avenge wound- inflicted by the firstbullets.

After a few minutes, he sang out to •his companions that he was afraid he Would; be killed; he must let go as his strength was exhansted. The bull meantime, kept -doae, guard* and &t last Cfementa let go, slipped, or fell to the ground, and ran for bare life. The bull was too quick, however, and ■ knocked him over, and would have -gored him to death, but for the diversion < afforded by -his dogs. He • managed to gain a more secure retteat«later, and ultimately passed a cartridge to- another of the " treed" ones/ who succeeded in killing their besieger. It is said that a hat thrown down in front of this old- and vicious bull was quickly torn in pieces by him, and that but for the clever conveyance of' the only cartridge left to the best 'shot of the party, who did good service with it, all four of the men are satisfied that they would have been up in the trees yet. This latter part sounds like a little embellishment, which may, or may not be strictiy correct. A little exaggeration may well be pardoned under the circnmetances, and should be ascribed to the excitement of the moment.