"HOLD THAT TIGER!"

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 9 April 1938, Page 2

"HOLD THAT TIGER!"

DRAMATIC CIRCUS TURN.

Cages Go Over Bank.

MISHAP ON COROGLEN ItOAD

ELEPHANT'S RESCUE WORK. An energetic rendering of the modern tune, "Hold That Tiger," would have been appropriate on the CoroglenWhitiangu Road yesterday morning, when the lion and tiger cages belonging to Sole Bros.' Circus parted company from the lorry towing them, and sailed away down tho steep incline to finish up at the bottom of a 40ft bank. Tho Circus, which is travelling by road this year, in order to visit the out-of-the-way towns, played at Thames on Thursday night, and early yesterday morning left for Mercury Bay. Lorries had in tow the animal cages, and all went well until a spot about 17 miles from Mercury Bay. when the coupling bolt holding the tiger and lion cages to tho lorry snapped. The cages gained momentum in their backward rush, left the r*oad, and crashed over a steep bank, to come to rest in a deep ravine.

Consternation reigned for fear of the safety of the valuable animals, but or investigation it was found they wen uninjured. It is understood, although the fact has not been confirmed, tha' one or two of the animals were at liberty for a short while, but were recaptured. "■■•

The problem of bringing the cages back to the road was one which bristled with difficulties. However, the big elephant was commissioned for the task, and it is stated did a won derful job.

After minor repairs, the cages were taken in tow again and arrived at Mercury Bay safely, and the old circus tradition, "The show must go on," was maintained.