CAPTURE OF A KIWI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 11

CAPTURE OF A KIWI.

RARE VISITOR TO CITY. DISCOVERY AT NEWMARKET. SENT TO ZOO YESTERDAYThe extraordinary duty of providing for a kiwi fell to the police at the Newmarket station on Wednesday evening. Kiwis ordinarily are associated with remote back-block districts, but the bird which came under the notice of'the Newmarket police is now awaiting judgment at the Auckland Zoo. The raro bird was discovered by members of tho family of Mr. W. H. Tongue, of 11, Remuera lioad, Newmarket, who heard a noise in the outbuildings. On investigation, they found that a dog had bailed up the bird in a corner. Mr. Tongue considered that the best thing to do with the strange captive would be to take it to tho police station immediately opposite. Sergeant Finch, who was on duty, did not know what to do with tho bird. It was locked up in a cell for tho night and in the morning, after having its photograph taken, it was conveyed to the zoo. Mr. T. Aldridge, superintendent at the zoo, \Vas asked yesterday whether it were possible to keep kiwis properly in captivity. He pointed out that two of the birds had been retained in good condition for a considerable period. It was considered that the bird discovered at Newmarket would make a particularly interesting exhibit, as it was thought that tho discovery of the kiwi in a city area in recent years at least was unprecedented. Mr. Aldridgo said he could not say whether the City Council would be granted permission by the Government to keep the kiwi in captivity or whether there was a likelihood of it being sent to the bird sanctuary on Little Barrier Island. The appearance of the bird within the limits of the city has provided something of a problem. It has been suggested that the kiwi may have existed in deep gully extending from Newmarket toward the Waitemata Harbour. An alternative view is that it was brought from the country by motorists.