BULL MOLESTS BATHERS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1928, Page 4

BULL MOLESTS BATHERS

ADVENTURE OF MOTORISTS. , AIORRINSVILLE, Feb. 7. 1 A party of motorists. Air and Mrs J. H. Ford and their two children, and Mrs L. Browning and two children, had a terrifying experience when returning from a trip to Kawhia. At a point on the road about 18-V miles from Otorolmnga, a pleasant stream, spanned by a bridge, invited the travellers to stop and refresh themselves. 'I lie car was pulled into an adjacent- cart-way and the party was soon .splashing in the cool waters. Suddenly there was a frightful bellow, and the startled bathers beheld the terrifying spectacle of an enraged bull madly pawing the ground on the opposite bank at a distance of about twelve yards away. Seeing, however, that there was no place for the animal to cross the bathers quietened their fears. They were quickly revived when it was found that there was no fence to the paddock, and the bull had crossed the bridge on the road and was heading in their direction with tail up, head down and a nasty look in his eye. There was a hasty scramble for the bank, clothes were snatched up in passing, and without waiting for the formality ot dressing the party covered the hundred yards to tlie car in ten seconds (lead. There was no room to turn the ear to reach the road, and there was nothing for it but, to continue along the cart track. Certainly it was not healthy to remain in the particular locality, as the bull showed every indication of attempting to reduce the car to scrap iron. Tbe track was bumpy and up bill, but it was continued for a distance of a quarter of a mile. Thinking that a safe, distance, .Mr Ford stopped the car and retired to dress, as a dripping bathing suit was not conducive t«u comfortable motoring. The others, however, preferred tile cold comfort of the car to the doubtful, safety of t.lie road. Mr Ford had only half finished bis toilet when a yell recalled him to the car to see the bull ambling along the track about 100 yards away. The animal was evidently short-sighted, for it failed to see its quarry and beaded off oil a side track. AY'a.sting no more time the driver reversed the ear down the hill, which was in itself a dangerous undertaking, as there were numerous bends and the surface was rough. When only a short distance from the road a scream drew Air Ford’s attention to the bridge, and there be saw the maddened bull, like Horatius of old, holding the bridge against all comers. A desperate burst of speed , enabled him to reach tbe main road, although lie ripped the top from the 1 hood in so doing, by coming into 1 violent contact with an overhanging branch. AYitli the car head-on, Air J Ford determined to break a lance with Horatius, and he charged the bridge. A flick of the wheel and the car just grazed past the hull, and file party heaved a sigh of relief. ] It is said that the lady members of the party would not allow Air Ford to decrease speed for four miles. Fortunately they did not meet another vehicle, as the spectacle of a car-load of tourists in bathing suits might prove disconcerting.