EXCITING INCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1381, 16 February 1905, Page 1

EXCITING INCIDENT.

AN INFURIATED BULLOCK,

There was quite a sensation on the Onehnnga wharf last Saturday afternoou, owing to a bullock running amok. The animal had just been landed from the Rarawa, aloDg with 30 others, when it began to play up. An elderly man was the first object of its attentions, and it bore down on him. Just as esoape looked impossible, the man, who had evidently been in a similar fix before, suddenly slipped to the boards, thereby dodging the .animal’s horns. Ae it was he was only just in time, and received a nasty bruising, besides getting his trousers torn. The bullock careered round the wharf, scattering bystanders in all directions, until he came across a Mrs Tothili, who was wheeling a child in a tan perambulator. With head lowered the brute oharged, and before anything could bo done be had capsized the child out of the perambulator, and knocked Mrs Tothili down. lie next went in search of other victims, but, fortunately, did not rush down to the end of the wharf, on which a large crowd had congregated to view the championship yacht race. Instead he dived off the wharf, on the north side, and the tide being in ho made for Qeddea’ Basin. Some boys in a boat attempted to head him ashore at the point near the kiosk, but the bovine resented this interference with bis programme, and the lads hastily paddled away. He soon afterwards struck the muddy bottom, and again put to sea, but tiring, headed for land near the old coal wharf. At this juncture the other cattle were driven round with the hope that he would come out and rejoin them. This he refused to do, until a tall onlooker went out to bait him. This roused his ire to such an extent that, although done up owing to his exertions, the brute fought his way out of the heavy mud and made after the man. The latter got away safely, and the bullock was secured by the drovers. With the exception of a shaking, Mrs Tothili got off without injury, but the child did not escape so well- The perambulator was broken up beyond repair. Altogether the Incident wes the most exciting experienced on the wharf for a long time,