THE SEA LION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22848, 4 April 1936, Page 22

THE SEA LION

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Early this week I saw the sea lion asleep on a cactus-covered hank in front of a house near the St. Clair pavilion. On Wednesday evening last I saw him at the children’s playground at St. Clair, and took careful notice of him. Roth his eyes were covered with a film, and one of them was watering, and the movements of his head indicated that this eye was painful. This is the result of sand having been thrown into his eyes. I first noticed him on one end of the see-saw, and there were some small boys at the other end jerking him up and down. This was quite unnecessary, and they were checked by a passer-by. If anyone came to the sea lion he went to meet them, no doubt expecting a feed and a drink. One man stood his ground, and the seal put his head between his legs and did not offer to bite. Then he opened his mouth very wide._ and the man placed his forearm across his iaws, without the least harm. Then a woman, who was used to stroking him. came forward, and he moved rapidly towards her and knocked her down and came forward over her. but did not attempt to bite her. Afterwards some small boys approached him. and waved their hands, and one had a big sheet of paper in his hand. _ It wag quite evident that the seal just wanted to sleep and rest. It is gratifying that he is going to Wellington, where he will have a good time, and maybe (he removal of him may prevent an accidental mishap to some one. To kill such a helpless animal would be sheerly mischievous, more especially as a tame seal is a quiet, affectionate animal.—l am, etc., Richard Norman.