“SAURIAN MONSTER”

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 6

“SAURIAN MONSTER”

HAMILTON SENSATION EXCITEMENT FIFTY YEARS AGO HUNTING PARTY ORGANISED ‘‘My attention has been drawn to a letter appearing in a recent issue of the Times concerning a “saurian monster” which was supposed to inhabit the outskirts of this thriving borough fifty years ago,” writes one of the hunting party. ‘‘The saurian was proved to be a myth, though its reported doings caused something of a stir at the time. “It was first discovered by some school boys in a creek in the vicinity of the present New Zealand Dairy Company's factory at Frankton, and was reported several times as having been seen. The story of the youths remained unshaken under criticism, and the newspapers added glory to the occasion by reporting losses of sheep, etc., from an adjoining slaughter-yard. The “monster” was said to be a cross between a huge boar and a zebra, being well-striped. It walked on four legs. ‘‘An advertisement in the Times, signed by a well-known surveyor, drew forth an interesting holiday cavalcade bent on capturing the animal dead or alive. The party consisted of men on horses, armed with guns, revolvers, stockwhips, etc., youths on foot carrying sticks, slashers, pitch-forks, etc., while numerous dogs of all breeds and sizes were also in attendance. It was a proper rag-tag and bobtail army. Importance of Kerosene “The creeks were searched for tracks and traces, but the result was barren. A visit to the hermit-in-charge of the slaughter-yard revealed a personality who might well have passed for the saurian. He had whiskers half\vay down his chest. He lived in a not-far-away whare built from kerosene tins flattened out. Kerosene played an important part in those ancient days. The guard on the railway carried a kerosene lamp, the railway station was lit with kerosene, the borough lamp-lighter, it was said, received £2 a year for each lamp and found his own kerosene. Everything else in the community was run on the same lavish scale. The refrigerator and dairy industry were unknown. “Our hermit friend was asked for details of the nocturnal visitor. He. too, clung to his story about carcasses of mutton and quarters of beef and other sundries vanishing, and even showed foot-prints of the monster. A short discussion by the high-lights of the hunting party decided that a saurian which could unlatch and close doors could not be caught in the daytime. It was decided to take the shortest and quickest way home, and not call upon the services of the Hamilton

Light Infantry Band to herald a victorious return. •‘The owner of garden* in the vicinity of the haunts ol the supposed saurian was afterwards credited with being "the villain in the piece.’’ the big idea originating for the purpose of preventing unwelcome guests helping themselves to fruit. However, right from the day of the hunting expedition down to to-day. Hamilton's old-time saurian lias caused a commotion in the community. The name 6aurlan appears to have originated from newspaper correspondents at the time, making frequent reference to Maori legends concerning “the taniwha-’’