TEMUKA BIG GAME IN THE PACIFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22786, 10 January 1944, Page 3

TEMUKA BIG GAME IN THE PACIFIC

Crocodile Shot By Temuka Soldier “A Spot Of Dentistry” The story of a "big game" hunt on one of the Pacific islands occupied by our troops is contained in a letter from Gunner A. Curry, formerly ot Temuka. The quarry in this case was a crocodile, and at least one member of the forces hopes to bring home with him as a memento sufficient crocodile skin for a number of handbags and many pairs of shoes. “I had a bit of success big game hunting,” writes Gunner Curry, “when we went out crocodile shooting. The one I bagged was only 7ft 3ins long, but it was an ugly brute for all that. It was just getting dark as I waited a short distance from our camp to get a shot at one. I spotted him when he poked his nose out of the water about 50 yards away and my shot went through his eye. He heeled over without a kick and lay on his side with one front leg sticking up in the air. “Leaving by friend ‘Robby’ there to watch the body, I set off back to the camp for a boat or some sort of'a float to collect it. I had only gone a short distance when Snow called out that something had dragged it under, but I continued on to the camp and came back with a cobber and a float. We found the dead crocodile lying in 9ft of water and ‘Robby’ edged it shorewards with a long pole while I kept the float in position. ‘Robby’ managed to get the stick under its foreleg and lifted it to the furface. I reached out and grabbed it and together we got in on to the float. “Back in the camp, the news soon spread about the catch, which was the first one made here so far, and we soon had a big crowd to look at it. Its mouth had between 50 and 60 teeth and the two longest ones in the bottom jaw had worn holes in the top jaw. They protruded when its jaws closed. The ‘old man’ ones are up to 24 feet long. What a pretty smile they must have! “They have become shy in the vicinity of our camp and now seldom show up until after nightfall, although we can hear them roaring from the cover of the mangroves. We tried a spot of dentistry on the one I shot to get the teeth for souvenirs, but they took a lot of shifting and we broke most of them. I skinned him the next morning, but am having a job to get the skin cured through lack of material and the bad weather. It is a great skin and would be worth a bit back home.” Rehabilitation Committee A report on the welfare of seven returned men whose cases had been investigated since the last meeting of the committee was given by the chairman (Mr G. Harris) at the monthly meeting of the Temuka Rehabilitation Committee. Advice was received frojn the State Advances Department concerning loansgranted recently to seven local men. These loans covered tools of trade, farm lands, residences and furniture. *At the suggestion of the secretary (Mr S. G. Heffernan) it was decided to hold a special meeting at an early date to study the full scope of the functions of the committee. Euchre A euchre party held in the Labour Hall by the Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade attracted a good attendance. Prizes were won by Mrs Swap, Mrs Rooney, and Messrs J. Popplewell and D. O’Connor. Mystery prizes were won by Mrs Pierce and Mr F. Downes. Mr C. Manning was the winner of a competition.