FIERCE PANTHER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 335, 21 April 1928, Page 5

FIERCE PANTHER

mauls wharf labourer A terrifying experience befell Arthur Munn, 53 years, on the steamer Houtman, at Sydney recently. One of two caged panthers, carried as deck cargo and destined for the Melbourne Zoo, reached through the bars °£ its cage and inflicted severe injuries on his arm. Munn, a wharf labourer, residing at Cook Road, Rozelle, was crossing the deck of the Houtman to get to a coal hulk moored alongside. Near wnat he thought to be two cases partly covered with tarpaulin, he stooped to Pick up a piece of wood. The next moment he heard a horrible snarl, a Pair of eyes glowing like live coals glared into his, and before the ter-ror-stricken man could move a claw Lad seized his arm and ripped away Lirge pieces of flesh. With blood spurting from his wounded arm Munn fell back to the deck. At the hospital Munn had partly recovered from his shock. He showed great fortitude, and smoked calmly his wound was being dressed. He was even able to joke about his experience, although it had obviously made a deep impression on him. The two panthers, captured at Sumatra, were taken on board at Singapore. During the voyage to Sydney the female panther became very ill. but the male retained all his natural ferocity, and snarled and spat every time a member of the crew approached his cage. Meals were served to the animals in a frying Pan attached to the end of a long Pole. \\that is going to happen in ** SYMONDS STREET ON TUESDAY ?