ELUSIVE PIG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 20

ELUSIVE PIG

REFUGE UNDER WHARF SIX WEEKS IN LUXURY Jessie 11., of Tamar Valley, Victoria, a 2001b. Berkshire-Tamworth sow, which had been hiding beneath the planking of a Melbourne wharf lately, for more than six weeks, was shot dead. On June 18, Jessies arrived at Melbourne by a steamer as one of a consignment of 36 pigs from Launceston consigned to a firm of pork butchers. Upon delivery the consignees found only 35 pigs. Jessie was missing and insurance was ultimately paid on her. Hiding in the darkness under the piles of the wharf, Jessie lived in luxury. It was warm and reasonably dry, there was ample food refuse brought down by the river and wheat and barley spilled during cargo handling on ships berthed alongside. Jessie was contented and her weight increased by 301b. On a recent morning the sow's peace was disturbed by Harbour Trust officials, wharf labourers, policemen, and other people. Possibly sensing that assistance would end ultimately at the abbatoirs. Jessie eluded all attempts to snare her and, for more than two hours, she led her would-be rescuers a chase in and out among the piles of the wharf. Finally, a man crept beneath the wharf with a rifle and, with her back against a stone wall, Jessie died.