Cattle Refuse Trip on Ferry

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 742, 15 August 1929, Page 1

Cattle Refuse Trip on Ferry

FUN AT DEVONPORT TROLLEY USED AS WEAPON OF DEFENCE Ardent supporters of the harbour bridge, or dazzied by the magnificence of the new wharf at Devonport, about a dozen cows and calves stubbornly refused to embark on the vehicular ferry this morning. The miniature herd arrived at the wharf with a stockman, complete with leggings, stockwhip and horse, and two sturdy lads armed with equally sturdy sticks. Some of the animals had ferociouslooking horns, while others had been dehorned. They reached the end of the wharf safely, but when the time arrived to embark on the boat the fun commenced. Sticks, whip, lads and stockman — and the cattle —became most animated, but the beasts refused to enter the approach to the boat. A wharf worker arrived armed with a trolley. With one eye (perhaps both) on the ferocious horns he pushed his novel goad in front of him and endeavoured to stop the cattle from leaving the wharf. Then “the crew, the captain bold and the mate of the Nancy Lee,” left the vessel and tried to persuade the excited animals that the sea was quite calm. A ticket-inspector with a knowing look also came forward and by leading the horse down the gangway first sought to convince the cattle that they should follow it. The mate, who had his trusty broom, the captain, stockman, lads and the man with the trolley shouted, pushed and otherwise encouraged the inspector, but Daisy and her gang were not having any. In despair the captain signalled to the waiting line of motor-cars to go on the boat, and just when it looked as though the cattle would have to be left behind, they changed their minds and went aboard. Except that one clumsy beast stepped on the running-board of a smart car, nothing occurred to mar the voyage, the animals standing still admiring the beauties of the sunlit Waitemata,