Hunt For Lost Monkey

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 15

Hunt For Lost Monkey

Some Amazing Antics Motorists from all parts of Kent visited Hildenborough, near Tonbridge, to participate in a novel “treasure” hunt —the reward offered by Commander A. W. Tomlinson, R.N., retired, for the capture of his Indian monkey, which cleared out from the Old Barn, his house. The description of the monkey was: “Cream-colour chest, black face, black hands, and long tail.” After breaking up by its unexpected and startling appearance a supper party in a plate-layers’ hut on the Southern Railway from which certain clothing, including a “monkey’s” jacket had been taken, themonkey was early the following morning seen in the vicinity of Little Barnett’s Farm. Apparently the truant had experienced little difficulty in obtaining food, as according to a statement made to its owner by a shepherd, it was seen in the midst of a flock of sheep being suckled by a ewe, while the lamb, loudly bleating at the intruder, looked on. - Some hours later the monkey made friends with a woman resident, and was given a basin of bread and milk. With this the monkey climbed a tree in the garden, and after finishing the contents returned the basin to the housewife.

At its next place of call the animal scared a woman by jumping on her shoulder and afterwards chasing her upstairs to a bedroom. It then disappeared, taking a pair of silk stockings, for which Commander Tomlinson later received a claim.

Eventually the escapee was recaptured.