A CIRCUS GOES TO SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 10

A CIRCUS GOES TO SEA.

ANIMALS ON VESSEL'S DECKS.

ELEPHANT EATS A STREAMER,

The steamer Ulimaroa resembled a floating menagerie when she left for Sydney yesterday afternoon, for on her decks were elephants and cages of wild animals. The vessel is carrying Wirth's Circus.

. On the after deck there., were nine elephants and the foredeck was filled with cages of wild animals, more cages of smaller animals being on the poop deck. The horses and circus equipment were in the forward 'tween decks. The total property of the circus weighed nearly 350 tons, and included 9 elephants, 29 horses, 25 cages of animals, as well as 15 loaded vehicles, and also bundles of tents and other equipment. The loading of such a large quantity of miscellaneous cargo was carried out without a hitch and in an expeditious manner that was a credit to the stevedoring staff. The elephants were taken on board shortly after seven o'clock in the morning, when the tide was at its lowest and the Ulimaroa's deck was nearly level with the wharf. Wide planks were laid between the ship and wharf and the elephants all walked on board in 12 minutes. The work of loading the remainder of the circus commenced ,at eight o'clock and was completed by two o'clock in the afternoon. Passenugers, luggage and mails were on board an hour later and the vessel then sailed. There was a very large number of people on the wharf farewelling friends on board, and they were kept amused at the behaviour of the elephants.

The elephants nearest the ship's side frequently extended their trunks over the wharf, inviting tit bits from the spectators. One elephant war given a blue streajner to wave, but the animal ate it instead.