SHIPPING A MENAGERIE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1923, Page 4

SHIPPING A MENAGERIE

EXCITING WHARF SCENES. SYDNEY, Nov. 22. Exciting scenes were witnessed during tin- shipping ol a menagerie and circus at one of the Melbourne wharfs last week, Snin- of the elephants trum jaded loudly and stampeded: and another so deiinitely re! used to go on board that it bad to bo dragged on 1)v its more tractable companions.

Eight elephants, which had gone on board quietly, were standing cm deck wailing for the rest ol the menagerie to be shipped. Apparently they grew weary, and the smell of new hay on the wharf spread the spirit of mutiny among them. One of iheni raised his trunk and trumpeted loudly, and the re-l followed with an equally impressive note of defiance. They turned. Mini. a-, if by common consent, set. off down tlit* gangway. At a speed which amazed those unused to the wavs of elephants, they tore along the wharf. It looked at tirst as if they were going pell-mell along Ilindeis street, but when they reached the Hugging, near the wharf, and iouud themselves on ‘-olid ground, they !>•■- came calmer. A few apples and a conciliatory treatment on the port oi the keepers ealnied the eleipbanls for a while, nod they Mood on the filin’while the resi of the menagerie was [dared on board. Connected with the circus are three baby elephants, and il was realised bv the keepers that t'hoiv would be a special tlillieuUy in getting these on board. The smallest of the lot was coaxed to the gangway with apples. It reached its trunk for the apples, bed. declined to cross into what it evidently regarded as the danger zone. Near-by was a monster elephant, with the name “Mother” written across its forehead. The keeper decided that it would lie better In bring the mollier up, and induce the baby to lolhnv. lie led the mother on to tile gangway, but she st erii I v refused to advance further. Sim. apparently, would not go on hoard without the baby.

Once again the stalwart attendants seized the baby; bill it refused to go on board without the mother. The keepers armed themselves with books and endeavoured to coerce the parent. AYitli a roar she I brew herself on the gangway. Site was coaxed to her feel, ami a keeper, mounting upon her hack, sought to ride her up. On the middle of the gangway Mm again

threw herself down with a roar. ‘'Fetch Alice,” called the keeper, and another elephant, which had been engaged hauling trick-, wa.- hitched in tlm rebellious mother, and ai a word of command, -ought to lob] her mi the

crash. The chains linking the two elephants broke the other Jailing, ami the hOl Ol Ibe mot Imr v. ec i I low 11 between the wher! and the -hip. IU r shoulders -.truck the side of the ve.-oeL which (pin ereil from -[< m to st •ru. She rose with mini her angry roar, and defied the elforts of her comrade jo pull her on hoard. Finally, another elephant was obtained, am!'the two of them won- attached to the chain round the neck of the recaleilrani mot her. The mutineer emitted mm roar: but. realising that the odds were now