A BELLIGERENT COW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18706, 12 May 1924, Page 12

A BELLIGERENT COW.

• '»—■ ■ EXCITEMENT IN QUAY ST. THREE MEN "BAILED UP." REFUGE IN AN OUTHOUSE. CROWD SEEKS SHELTER SHEDS- s The crowd which thronged the vicinity of the Harbour Board buildings about one o'clock on Saturday were treated to a ' spectacular performance .not included in the official welcome to the fleet. The chief actors were a large black and white cow, a police constable, three workmen, and a Harbour Board official. The cow started the performance, and was throughout the most prominent figure. The animal was on the Northern Wharf ! awaiting shipment, when she bolted across ! Quay Street and the level railway crossing ! on to Customs Street East, with her head down and her tail well up, pedestrians scattering before her in all directions. The animal charged along' Customs Street, and ignoring . all traffic regulations and the "stop and go " signal, " cut the corner " into lower Queen Street in a manner dangerous to public safety, the onlookers giving her an ampler path. On ! reaching the Ferry Buildings the cow j turned toward Prince's Wharf, much to ; the consternation of a large crowd viewing ! the Hood, as many of whom as possible promptly sought the safety of the nearest shelter shed. ' Slammed Gate Annoys Cow. After investigating the ,old dock site the fugitive turned her attention to a well-kept strip of grass which runs on the western side of the Harbour Board buildings, and entered the iron-railed enclosure. The spectators now came out from their shelters and one, bolder than the rest, slammed the gate shut. This seemed to annoy the animal, which gave an excellent imitation of ploughing with \ its front hoofs, at the same time mooing in a manner that caused the more nervous of the spectators to look -for safety zones. Having exhausted itself by this display the beast retired to a corner, much to the detriment of a bed of yellow chrysanthemums. •','■' It was then that the workmen entered the arena. Getting out from the building by a back door they laid a snare for their victim with half-inch hemp . ropes across a narrow alleyway between; an outbuilding and the main building. The next thing to do was to entice the victim into it, but this proved to be no easy task. No eooner would a man appear round the corner of the alleyway than the cow would lower her head, paw the ground, and make a dash at him, causing a hasty retreat to the shelter of the out-house. The next actor in the stirring drama was a police constable, who fearlessly, faced the furious animal; but unfortunately for him the cow either objected to his uniform or was tired of the monotony, and promptly charged. The man in blue vanished into an outbuilding rapidly.. _ - Animal Makes Record Time. One of the frequent showers experienced on Saturday occurred when affairs had reached this state, causing the spectators to seek shelter for a few minutes. On their return they found that the cow had taken up a strong position at the entrance of the alleyway, "bailing up" .:■" the little band in the outhouse most effectively. From time to time a head would cautiously appear round the door, but the animal's attitude was so belligerent that it was obvious rashness to venture forth. •; How long matters would have remained in this state is doubtful had ; not there arrived upon the scene an i "official" wearing •a' ; peaked cap: decorated with gold lace. - : He, with undoubted presence of mind, opened the gate wide. v ' The cow, seeing the way of escape open, lowered her head, and to use a colloquialism, "went for it." The spectators dispersed in disorder before this onslaught, and positions on the roofs of the shelter sheds , were in keen ; demand. , The cow, however, seemed to have , lost interest in the crowd, and made off along Quay Street as fast as she could. S Most of ; the spectators decided ■■ to let well '-. alone and returned to their delayed scrutiny of the Hood. A few followed the bovine actress, who, after investigating King's Wharf, was last seen doing record' time along tthe railway yards. .> Latest reports were to the effect that the poundkeeper had succeeded in capturing the animal and had lodged it safely in the pound, where it will remain until claimed; <" .'■ '