Re-capturing a Snake.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6792, 18 January 1897, Page 4

Re-capturing a Snake.

A few days ago a largo snake, which was being sent from Queensland to the Governor of South Australia, escaped from its bos in a goods-shed on the Melbourne wharf. The Ago says that despite the assurance that the carpet snake of Queens land is a mild and non-venomous reptile, there was considerable reluctance on the part of the wharf laborers to remove cargo from the shed, and the work of emptying the store proceeded with unusml sloth but extraordinary alertness. As the pile of luggage grew smaller the shtfeing process became still more snake-like, until by about 4.45 p.m. nothing remained in the shed but a pile of old bagging in one corner. This the representative of the shipping firm, who by mere chance happened to be standing not far from the door, briskly ordered one of the laborers to remove. "Ifo fear," exclaimed the son of toil, throwing his dog-hooks down upon the wharf; " you engaged me as a laborer, not asa blooming snake charmer," The same response was made on all sides. Meanwhile, however, some person had despatched a message to the Zoological Gardens, and before many minutes passed the gentleman who presides over the snake department of thai institution came upon the scene. Little time was wasted by the ophidian expert. 110 borrowed a whip from an open-mouthed carter, and knotting the thong into a noose, calmly entered the shed and proceeded to throw the bags one after another behind him. -F*tsed a weavily piece of hessian ■which bofu ths hrr.nd cf 1 carry manufacturer, a cry of horror arose from the crowd for coiled up ia the corner lay 22:t of snakinesff, the carpot pattern lying on its huge middle like the stockings of a "society" cyclist. The disturbed snake opened an eye lazily, like a sleeping dog. and noticing the visitor from the Royal Park, raised his head to welcome him. The movement was almost immediately * " by the man, who lasaoo;d the reptile with a deft turn of his wrist, and led it wriggling, not to the old box, bat to another which had been prepared with' smaller ventilation holes. The snake's head was pushed under the lid, the noose was removed* and as the expert it 3 tail a push with his foot its long length slid silently from view.