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Southland Times, Issue 918, 18 March 1868, Page 2

A novel and somewhat «oiting oaftia of a resident of the town, by «n amphibious animal, known v tbe sea lion, now being exhibited at tbe establishment of Mr Von Hammer, Taystreet, took plaoe on Sunday »o*a!ng last. As far uwo can learn, it would appear that about seven o'clock on the morning of the day meationed, Mr Michael Oabill, of the Provincial Hotel, was proceeding up the street towards tbe post-office, when on nearing the Fire Brigade buildings, be heard an unearthly sound. He describe* it as being something between the bark of a dog, the roar of a lion, and tbe biss of a serpent. OaturningMund^he be-J__io-»-cronn inr-TKra»aHfg~TO^^ great jumps, roaring at every spring. Thinking at first that it was a savage os mad dog, and considering that discretion was tae- better, part of yalor, he took to his heels and ran with electric speed until he reached the Church- of England, where, panting with exertion, and trexnbling with fear, he paused in the porti«% and timely peeped out to ascertain th» whereabouts of his pursuer. There he wa* following in the direct track, jumping with a% speed that convinced "Mike" that, although! he was the fleetest of foot, his place of refuge, was not safe ; but, with true Hibernian instinct, he wa» determined to scan more distinctly the character of the animal that had given him so ominous a morning's salutation. He had time to make a few observations. On came tbe brute snorting and roaring —it was unlike anything he had seen before, being neither dog or fish, but resembling, to some extent, each. It had the head of the seal, the body of a dog, with four web-feet, by the use of whiolx it covered several feet of ground at a bound. Thinking that the time occupied in his observations had given his antagonist, who had nearly reached him, too great an advantage, our townsman darted from his hiding place, dodging round the church corners, then towards Eskstreet, back into Tay-street, still closely followed, where he got the advantage of his roaring pursuer in the strait running, and on approaching the Scandanivan. Hotel, placards announcing that a sea lion was being exhibited led to the conclusion that this must be the animal. With, haste he made foi that establishment, and speedily battered at the door with an energy that threatened the panels with destruction, and aroused the inmates. Mr Von Hammer, upon making his appearanofl, lecognised his "pet," and seeing it had become excited by the chase, procured a rope, and with great dexterity flung iho noose over its head ; amidst jumping and bellowing on the part of the captive, he was safely caged in his den. We have paid a visit to the creature and must acknowledge that though not large he is a nasty looking customer. He was trotted out for inspection by Mr -Yon. Hammer who appears to have him under great control, feeding him from his hand, but we observed that he held an iron bar of which the animal seemed to have wholesome fear. It is well worth an inspection by all interested in natural history. The Southland Horticultural and Agricultural Society's autumn exhibition commences to-day, Wednesday, 18th March, and will be continued during to-morrow, Thursday. The show will be held in the Theatre Royal, which is being tastefully decorated for the occasion. The progress of this Society has been steady, and we hope that the present exhibition may be one of the most successful. We are enabled to state that, from arrangements made by the P.N.Z. and A.X.M. Company, in future its steamers will run direct from Southampton to Colon, without touching at any intermediate ports. By the adoption of this route all he unhealthy coaling places will ba avoided, and the entire trip from England to New Zealand divested of the unpleasantness of calling at West In«lian ports noted for the prevelance of fever. This alteration in the route cannot but prove satisfactory to the public, and it shows a determination on the part of the directors to make such changes in the programme first adopted as experience may prove likely to increase the comfort of the passengers, and ihorten the time occupied in the trip.