TEA FOR' THREE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1930, Page 8

TEA FOR' THREE

STRANGE 'RESTAURANT PARTY

Refiiarkable sagacity on "'the part of dumb animals was revealed at a strange tea party in a city restaurant at Auckland. The cynosure of all eyes, a man ate a hearty, meal in a secluded corner and occasionally muttered mystic words to his companions-—a black rabbit, which displayed no concern at. having to share a chair with a rat, which had had gleaming pink eyes. The trio recalled memories of "Alice, in Wonderland,” only none.of them went to sleep.!lnstead, the-man,. Air 11.I 1 . 4 J. Hickey, of Ponsonby, well-known .fpr his ability to train anything from a snakd; to a horse, educed .keen .delight at inducing his weird, pets to do -his bidding, and the-rabbit and .the;rat, Billy and Toby respectively, gave signs of intelligence., but 'perkily answering to their names and alternately sitting up and cleansing.themselves with their front: paws.

STRANGE ALLIANCE

Tim alliance between the two rodents has been brought fiooiit by uhe fact that iVir Hickey has a way with bim, so far as' animals' are concerned Billy* who .was roped in when he was wandering at large in Freeman's Bay. four years ago,-lias required a good deal-cf. “limn.'handling” to bring him to that degree 'of docility where lie understands his party, manners. He will now eat, anything- from treacle, honey, sago, and boiled rice to luscious lettuce, and is not averse to iiidulgfrig\ ifi‘ i nH ' 4 Ti'cigusional •xlrop of beer. Toby came to Mr Mickey through a friend who wanted a good .home for him, and,is claimed to be as ."harmless as can be.” When travelling he nestles comfortably inside his fond owner’s waistcoat, and generally enjoys life. His objeot when dining out seems to be to live down the objection waitresses who attend; his master appear to have to anything related to the rat family. He performs delightfully for them, and at frequent intervals rubs his paws all'over his face: as .evidence of tile fact that; despite doubtful relations, .filtli is no part of his life. ' His white coat is silky to the touch. There is' no offensive .odour to it because ,Toby takes his soap and water bath every morning. . '•

Another pet of Mr Hickey Vis a fawn rabbit, which was captured at Palm Eeaqh; Although not so tame ,as thq black, he has no fear for the rat, which is permitted to sleep huddled close to him.i '•' '

OTHER, WEIRD PETS

Used'to the outdoors. of Australia Mr Hickey has a fondness for all kinds pi animals. He is a horse-breaker of ability, and has done, turns in circuses. Strange elephants have treated lum as though they have known him a lifetime, while a.jstag, which.; • would ._r|p other people to pieces with its long pointers, has permitted .him to enter.its pen unharmed. He knows much about snakes,. and has one,.of the carpet variety ;-as 'a ;pet.' : Among hip other dumb ■friends have bedn a whit©; pig,, tliht would trailfiehind.him when he was out walking, a. black cat that would follow him on a shooting expedition like a dog and a dog that would'dive under, the water and bring stones to the surface. Mr Hickey declares that-mastery over .wild; animals of all, descriptions is obtained primarily by the voice and the exercising of, a little patience. Punishment' is useless, although up to. a point starvation can accomplish wonders. His seemingly exceptional powers to get his pets; to do his every bidding, Mr Hickey attributes to a. certain amount of hereditary "natural instinct.” Be that as it,may, the fact remains he has a weird collection of exceedingly sagacious: and interesting pets—some of'which exhibit intelligence not usually attributed to animals of their species.