ESCAPED LIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13391, 21 January 1907, Page 5

ESCAPED LIONS.

AN EXCITING INCIDENT,

By Telegraph —Press Amocialicui.— right .Svn.vKV, January 19. Whii.i: the lion tamer of ,i circus at Kitem.m's Bay was entering the cage, one of the animals tried to seize him. The door swuug open, and a lion and two lionesses escaped. The attendants seemed one, but the others are still at large.

The circus people and volunteers under police leadership are hunting the animals with guns.

Three horses are reported to have been killed.

The townspeople are in a state of panic. Only a small audience was present at the circus, and they immediately tied, some taking refuge in trees ami others mi roofs.

The, latesl report says that frequent shots have been heard from the direction of the hunt. (Received January 20. 4.45 p.m.) Sydnky, January 20. Only one of the lionesses gained its freedom. It severely mauled three horses. A party hunted all night without success, but tho trail was picked up yesterday, and. traced to a farm, where the lioness was found attacking a cow. Shots were fired at her, whereupon she left her prey. Two men named Veitch and Maloney pursued her and tired. The lioness then turned and charged them like a thunderbolt. Bout men dodged round a tree, dropping their guns. The lioness caught Veiteh by the ami, hut let. go, inflicting slight injuries. Maloney meanwhile picked up Ids gun and tired, killing the animal instantly.