THE CAPTAIN’S CANARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 13

THE CAPTAIN’S CANARY

ESCAPE AND A CAPTURE FUN ON CANADIAN SEIGNEUR When Captain MacConnochie’s little canary fluttered from its gilded cage on the Canadian Seigneur at the Prince’s Wharf the other day it was pursued by: The crew, including the third officer and the bo’sun. Harbour Board officials. Customs officers. And 50 longshoremen.

This young army was headed by the third officer. Mr. Thomas. Mr. T. Evans, the bo’sun. was hot on his heels, armed to the teeth with a ladder and a birdcage. With a trill of delight the canary flew out of its cage and tried its wings round the deck of the Canadian Seigneur. Now this canary is a great favourite —so is the captain. When the little songster’s tail feathers disappeared round the ship’s funnel the crew set off in pursuit.

But the canary was not to be caught for some time. Emulating Captain Lindbergh, it swooped up into the air and made for one of the warehouses on the wharf.

Out trooped the crew. Excited by the unusual activity and the antics of the bo’sun with his ladder and birdcage, the officials and longshoremen joined in the chase.

The canary was rather coy and arch, and resisted the blandishments of the third officer and the bo’sun for some time. Meanwhile a line of amusing patter was exchanged between the ship’s officers, much to the amusement of the crowd.

When the pursuers were almost exhausted the Captain’s champion chirper was returned to its cage. Triumphantly the victors went back to the ship and handed the canary over to its pleased owner, Captain MacConnochie.