SWAN ATTACKS BATHER.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1923, Page 4

SWAN ATTACKS BATHER.

A FKATHKKKI) CEN'TF.XAIIIAN. A Windsor man had a narrow escape fiom hoiti<j; seriously injured in the Tlnuues at Windsor l»y a ferocious swan which is reputed to bo (|iiito lOd years old. Tile swan is well-known in the neighbourhood for its fierceness, and Frank Sharratt, a young man who resides by the riverside at Y\ indsor. said that ho certainly would not have attempted to take his morning dip had i,o seen that this particular swan was in the neighbourhood. lie had swum to the middle of the river, anti was in .‘ld feet of water some 5(1 yards below Windsor bridge, when tho swan began to attack him before he was aware of its presence. Ho dived under water and managed to get to the Cobbler, a piece ot land dividing the weir stream from the main river. 'llie bird then kept a dose watch on the unfortunate swimmer, and though lie made several attempts to try and enter the water, the swan refused to allow him to do so. Many spectators had gathered, and though all kinds of devices were tried to disengage the bird’s attention, he always kept an eye on the stranded bather After halt an hour’s vigil, the swan fell to the temptation of a dainty morsel of bread and meat which was put in front of him. and with great reluctance he left the bather and went after the food. Alter consuming the bread, he returned to . the spot where he had left the bather, J lnit was too late to prevent him from ! landing on the other shore. | Mr Sharratt snvs that lie prevented > this swan from killing another only a few days previously, and possibly he was out for revenge. ;