LIVELY INCIDENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1241, 8 February 1881, Page 4

LIVELY INCIDENT.

The lion-tamer in connection with Coles' Circus, says the Observer, tells an exciting story about an accident which befel his charges whilst in Western America. The circus it appears was preparing to start late one niyht (after a performance) from the capital of one state to the capital of another. The menagerie cages were put safely on the train, and the engine began to move off. Unfortunately, when passing under a bridge near the station, the top of the lion cage got knocked off, and there was a tremendus commotion. The lionesses were frightened, and lay trembling at the bottom of the cage, but the lion gave a furious leap, and clearing the top bar disappeared into the bush. Of course the train was stopped, and all the men and keepers set off in pursuit. It was a pitch dark night, and for a long time the search proved fruitless. At length a piteous squealing was heard about a quarter of a mile off, and on proceeding in the direction from whence it came, the lion-tamer found his majesty making • meal, in a cow-house, off an unfortunate heifer. As soon as possible the beast's cage was brought and run up opposite the door of the shed. Mr. Conklin then entered, and marching up to the infuriated brute, deliberately whipped him into a corner, whilst his assistants bustled the three-parts dead oow inside the cage. Directly this was done the men stood apart, and the lion, sniffing Ihe oarcaae, rushed after it, and was locked in. They then dragged the beast jubilantly back to the train, and proceeded on their journey as though nothing had happened.

The Rev. George Daniel has been elected president of the Wesleyan Conference at Melbourne by a majority of thirty*twp,