CLEVER DOGS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 119, 22 May 1877, Page 4

CLEVER DOGS.

Quite an animated correspondence has been carried on in tbe London Spectator concerning "clever dogs" and 1 the feats they have been known to perform. One correspondent, named Alfred Durel), writes from Booking, near Br ara tree in England as follows: — Sir, — A correspondent favored your readers last week with an interesting anecdote of a dog's intelligence in reference to the use of money. Permit me to relate an instance of a dog's intelligence in reference to the day of the week. Some three-aud-tweoty years »ao, in the infancy of the Canterbury Province, New Zealand, tbere lived in the same neighborhood as myself two young men, io the rough but independent mode of life then prevalent in the colony, somewhat oblivious of old institutions. These men possessed a dog each, affectionate companions of their solitude. It was the custom of this primitive ectabliehment (o utilise the Sabbath by a ramble, in quest of wild ducks and wild pigs, about the swamps and creeks of tbe district. It was observed that long before any preparations were made for starting, the dogs always seemed more or less excited. This was remarkable enough, but not so much as what followed. One of these men after a while left his friend, and taking his dog with him, went to live with a clergyman about four miles off. Here ducks and pigs had to be given up on Sunday for the church service. lt was soon noticed that bis dog used to vanish betimes on Sundays, and did not turn up again until late. Upon inquiring, it was found that the dog bad visited his old abode, where on that day of the week sport was not forbidden. The owner tried the plan of chaining up the animal on Saturday evenings, but it soon became very cunning, (tnd would get away whenever it

had the chance. On one occasion it Wbb temporarily fastened to a fence-rail about mid-day on a Saturday. By repeated jerks it loosened the rail from tbe mortice-holes, and dragged it away. 'Upon search being made, this resolute but unfortunate do.' was found drowned, still fast to chain and rail, in a stream about two miles away in the direction of its old haunts. The gentleman who owned tbe other dog is in England now, and went over the detailed facts herein stated with me quite recently.

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