AN AMUSING INCIDENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1925, Page 4

AN AMUSING INCIDENT.

AUCKLAND, Aug. 20. An amusing incident occurred when a parly of American sailors were about to start on their journey to Rotorua. The central figure of the occurrence was a dog, and ho is going to be a reminder for many a laugli among our visitors when New Zealand is left behind them. While the train was waiting at the station, the men were attracted t v it dog which gratefully responded to their friendly overtures, and was (piile willing to become an extra passenger at the invitation of some of the sailors. The regulations, however, are rigid, and the guard was obliged to veto the proposal, hut the dog evidently got. a hunch about the situation, and cocking bis head knowingly, wagged bis tail and cheerfully rested on his haunches. The whistle blew, and oft went the train, and the dog. allowing it a reasonable handicap, trotied oil in pursuit. The Americans thought they had sum the last of the how wow. hut they didn’t know about the Itemncra hill. Slowly and more slowly worked the driving rod of the panting engine as it hauled the o!)0 sailors up ihe hill. The load was beginning to tell, and the dog. running light and with a gind lope, soon drew uo aloiigs.de. and barked greetings to his highly tickled friends on board. The chance wri too good t i be misled, and one pit the sailors hopping overboard, bunted doggie triumphantly on the car. and the extra pn->':oiger made the journey to Rotorua without further trouble from the autluu'iteis. He was jealously guarded during the stay at the thermal township, and returned with his friends to Auckland. Tt is not many dogs which can count among the scalps’ the heating of a train, and he has now been elevated to the rank of mascot on the battleship that captured him.