WILD BOAR IN SHACK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20926, 16 July 1931, Page 8

WILD BOAR IN SHACK.

havoc among stores. SETTLERS' NIGHT ENCOUNTER. ATTACK MADE ON BEDS. [BY TELEGKAPII. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.} NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday. Wild pigs in the back country of Taranaki arc noted for their ferocity and impudence, and the recent experience of two settlers near Matau shows that pighunters and farmers have not exaggerated in describing encounters. The two settlers had taken up a remote run and had stored a winter's supply of flour and potatoes in a one-roomed shack. Having completed this task both men retired to their bunks, after putting a log on the fire to warn the room.

In the night a huge boar, evidently attracted by the smell of the potatoes, nosed its way in through, the door, which had only been swung to, The boar soon made havoc of the stores and then searched round for water.

The noise made by the animal among the tins in the shack aroused the men, who could see the intruder quite plainly by the light of the blazing log. A shotgun was suspended above the bunks, with a cartridge belt, and on© of the men. obtained this and opened fire at the pig. - This infuriated the animal, which tried to climb up to the bunks. The stock of the gun had to be used as a club. Round and round the shack ran the boar. Then again it returned to the bunks, where it tore great pieces out of the wood. Fortunately just then the door was blown open by the wind and the pig dashed out, much to the relief of the two men, who were left to clean up the wreckage.