Working Timeline For Wellingtons First Lion

Working Timeline for ‘King Dick’
Wellington’s First Zoo Lion

Compiled & Researched by Liz Clark
February 2011
http://madbushfarm.blogspot.com/
1905
Birth of King Dick in Bostock & Wombwell’s Circus &

Menagerie 28 February 1905 1. Fathered by ‘Wallace’
possibly out of the Lioness ‘Victoria’ who was used for the
breeding of cubs in the menagerie. Victoria was sold at
auction in 1906 in Australia (see notes at the end of this
document) Wallace failed to sell he was described as an
African Lion – he was also noted as attacking his trainer in
Paris. (see notes at the end of this document)
1906
April
Evening Post Article 9 April 1906

Report of a meeting to be held at the Wellington Public Library to establish a
zoo. Captain Frank Taylor of Bostock & Wombwells Circus & Mengarie 2offered
the gift of a 1 year old Lion to the city if a zoological garden was established.
Interest in the meeting which is to be held in the Public Library, Newtown tomorrow
evening in favour of the establishing of zoological gardens has been increased by a
statement by Captain Frank Taylor, Managing Director of Bostock & Wombwell's
Circus and Menagerie, has expressed his willingness to present a one year old lion to
the city if the zoological gardens are established. The general public is invited to
attend the meeting tomorrow night. The proposal is to get a proportion of Newtown
Park set aside as a zoo, and it is thought that a museum might be combined with the
gardens, especially as Mr Petherick has already promised his valuable collection as a
nucleus of a museum.
- Evening Post 9 April 1906
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?
a=d&cl=search&d=EP19060409.2.57&srpos=51&e=--1905---1906--100--1----
0lion+newtown-ARTICLE-
1
Taranaki Herald 9 April 1906
Article: Headlined ‘A WELLINGTON ZOO’ Wellington April 8
The proposers of a Zoological Garden here have received the offer of a year old
lion
a=d&cl=search&d=TH19060409.2.66&srpos=1&e=-------100--1----
0lion+wellington+zoo-ARTICLE-

Report on a meeting at Newtown by residents to propose a Zoological Garden be
established

‘A National Zoo’

Article ‘Council accepts the Lion” Wellington City Council accepts the offer of
the gift of a young lion. Discussion of councillors reported in this article
a=d&cl=search&d=EP19060421.2.61&srpos=67&e=-------100--1----
Wanganui Chronicle 26 April 1906 Article

A zoo for Wellington reported that the Wellington City Council decided to accept
the offer of the young lion.
a=d&cl=search&d=WC19060421.2.32&srpos=12&e=-------100--1----
June
Marlborough Express 6 June 1906

Article reporting the lion was on its way from New Plymouth from Bostock &
Wombwell’s Circus & Menagerie in the charge of the government meteorologist
Rev D. C. Bates
2
a=d&cl=search&d=MEX19060606.2.41&srpos=54&e=--1905---1906--100--1----
Evening Post Letter to the editor 9 June 1906

‘Our Solitary Lion’ letter concerning the lion being on its own at Newtown Park
It was suggested that a dog should be put in with the lion for company by the
writer.
OUR SOLITARY LION - A SUGGESTION

(Letter to the editor)
Sir - On looking at the half grown lion at Newtown Park, I noticed he was trying to
play with his feed tin, and seemed moping for want of a mate, after coming from a
circus, where he had plenty of company.
I think the poor beast will mope and pine away in such solitary confinement as he is
subjected to.
In some Zoological gardens and circuses in the Old Country I have occasionally seen
a dog put in with a baby lion, such as the one in Newtown Park, for a mate with the
result that the lion 'chummed up' with the dog, and they became fast friends and
playmates.
As the City Council always has a number of stray dogs on its hands, which the
officials either sell for a song or destroy, I would suggest they select an amiable dog
of fair size (not a poodle that the lion would kill if he stroked it with his paw), and
place it in with the lion, and give him a chance to make friends if he will.
A grating could be placed across the centre of the cage first to let the lion and the dog
become acquainted or introduced, and removed if the lion appeared friendly or
inclined to play.
Even if the lion did kill and eat the dog, the latter would be no loss, as anyway he
would have been killed by the council, and it would be a much more noble death for
the dog to be killed by the king of beasts than to be smothered by the council
I am etc - Leo
(Abridged)
Evening Post - 9 June 1906
Grey River Argus Article 11 June 1906

Mentions the Lion being installed in an enclosure at Newtown Park by the lake.
3
a=d&cl=search&d=GRA19060611.2.54&srpos=29&e=--1905---1906--100--1----
November
Evening Post Article 9 November 1906
Article on the continuing campaign and proposal to have a zoo based around the
Lion at Newtown Park
December
Evening Post Article 12 December 1906
Lion visited by Fijian Fire Walker group
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-
bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19061212.2.57&srpos=37&e=--1905---
1906--100--1----0lion+newtown-ARTICLE-
1908
March
Evening Post Article 13 March 1908

Article on King Dick and mention of his growth since arriving at Newtown Park
0king+dick+zoo--
Evening Post 16 March 1908

Letter to the Editor concerning King Dick and the zoo by D.C. Bates
0king+dick+zoo--
Evening Post 19 March 1908 – A letter to the editor appears headed ‘Reply to Mr
D.C Bates concerning King Dick being on his own.
0king+dick+zoo--
4
April
A concert held to raise funds for obtaining a Lioness for ‘King Dick’ fails to
reach the target needed. A cartoon appeared in the NZ Observer 11 April 1908
portraying King Dick as a bridegroom without a bride
a=d&cl=search&d=NZFL19080411.2.13.1&srpos=2&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--

Mentions a letter about ‘the young lion’
0king+dick+zoo--
September
Evening Post Article 11 September 1908
Article concerning the conditions of King Dick’s enclosure
0king+dick+zoo--
October
NZ Free Lance Town Talk Column 3rd October 1908

Criticism of the size of the enclosure King Dick was housed in described as ‘the
size of a pill box’
a=d&cl=search&d=NZFL19081003.2.25&srpos=49&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
December

‘The Growing Zoo’ A general article about the expanding Newtown Park Zoo.
King Dick mentioned
0king+dick+zoo--
1909
5
April
NZ Truth 10 April 1909

Article about high mortality rates at the zoo. Mentions King Dick as being put on
half rations
a=d&cl=search&d=NZTR19090410.2.31&srpos=23&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
May
Evening Post 31 May 1909

Complaint from a resident about the roaring of King Dick at Newtown Park –
padded cell suggested
0king+dick+zoo--
December
Evening Post 1 December 1909

Libel Action case taken – Lions mentioned in the testimony
0king+dick+zoo--

‘The Unhappy Zoo’ article concerning the conditions at Newtown Park Zoo King
Dick mentioned in article
0king+dick+zoo--
1910
March
Evening Post Report 18 March 1910
Report concerning the Libel Case titled ‘The Zoo case’ King Dick mentioned in
article and report on the testimony
NZ Truth Report 19 March 1910

NZ Truth Sued by Carnivore Keeper at Newtown Zoo for £2000 King Dick
mentioned in article
6
0king+dick+zoo--

Article titled ‘The Lioness again’ testimony in the Libel case taken against NZ
Truth mention of King Dick
0king+dick+zoo--

Article titled ‘The Defence’ concerning a Libel case King Dick is mentioned in
the article
0king+dick+zoo--
July
Evening Post 27 July 1910

Letter to the Editor signed by John Crewe concerning the Zoo and King Dick
0king+dick+zoo--
November
Evening Post article 19 November 1910
Article about the general haphazard condition of the Newtown Park Zoo King
Dick mentioned in the article
1911
January
Evening Post Article 24 January 1911
Wirth Bros Circus loans lioness to Newtown Park Zoo for King Dick
a=d&cl=search&d=TC19110124.2.12&srpos=59&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
A report in the NZ Truth 28 January 1911 appeared concerning the loan of a

Lioness by Messrs Wirth Bros (Wirth’s Circus) and the trouble with keeping the
public away from the cage
7
0king+dick+zoo--
March
Evening Post article 4 March 1911
An article about ‘life at the zoo’ with comical inferences and anthropomorphic
references to Mr & Mrs Lion
0king+dick+zoo--
September
Evening Post 6 September

Fullers Pictures article. Film ‘Our Empire City of Wellington’ done of Wellington
which includes footage of King Dick and the Lioness with him
a=d&cl=search&d=TC19110906.2.20&srpos=26&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
1912
January

Mentions a visit by a member of Wirth’s Circus. Also mentions a lioness with
King Dick and her replacement to be brought in the next day. The lioness was
taken back by Wirths and replaced with a new female.
0king+dick+zoo--

Lioness removed from King Dick’s enclosure and her replacement by Wirth
Bros. Circus introduced.
0king+dick+zoo--
1913
January
Evening Post 21 January

General report about the zoo mentions King Dick’s history
8
a=d&cl=search&d=EP19130121.2.108.30&srpos=22&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
February
Evening Post article 5 February 1913
Titled ‘The bottomless Zoo’ mention of buying the lioness in with King Dick
from Wirth’s Circus cost at £1200
0king+dick+zoo--
Evening Post Letter 19 February 1913

Titled ‘A distressing case’ The letter was written as ‘Queen Dick’ about her being
returned to Wirth’s Circus.
0king+dick+zoo--
May
Evening Post Report 13 May 1913
Criticism of the Wellington Zoological Society King Dick mentioned in the article
0king+dick+zoo--
1914
June
Evening Post article 26 June 1914
Death of Lion cub ‘Young George’ one of King Dick’s cubs mentioned
a=d&cl=search&d=AG19140626.2.11&srpos=69&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
1915
October
Evening Post Report 18 October 1915
Report of a Lioness named ‘Maud’ giving birth to four cubs. Mentions the Lion
that sired them as being a ‘male lion loaned from J.J Boyd’s zoo in Onehunga’
noted that King Dick was the grandfather of the cubs.
9
a=d&cl=search&d=EP19151018.2.51.3&srpos=17&e=-------100--1----
0king+dick+zoo--
1920
October
Evening Post article 22 October 1920
Mentions King Dick as being at the zoo and states his age as being ’22 years old’
the rest of the article addresses additions made to the Newtown Zoo and the
animal collection – (However this is impossible as King Dick was a year old in
1906)
0king+dick+zoo--
December
December 21st Reports that King Dick is to be destroyed due to paralysis of the
legs.
King Dick's Destruction

Finest Captive Lion
14 Years in Wellington Zoo
The Lion at Wellington Zoo known as 'King
Dick' is suffering from paralysis of the legs and
has to be destroyed. He has been there 14 years
and is described by experts 'as the finest lion in
captivity'.
- Thames Star 21 December 1920
1921
January
10
The Ohinemuri Gazette 3 January 1921 gave an extensive report on the decision
to have King Dick euthanised. Details included the lion’s date of birth and where
he had come from. It was reported that the lion would be skinned and sent for
Taxidermy at the Newtown Museum
a=d&cl=search&d=OG19210103.2.29&srpos=7&e=--1920---1921--10--1----
2king+dick--
May
An Evening Post article 4 May 1921
Giving details of Newtown Zoo’s latest additions including a report of some of

King Dick’s history and background. Of note in particular that they state King
Dick was sired by Wallace an apparently very famous lion. Further states King
Dick was now preserved and mounted.
2king+dick--
Other Notations:
Wallace was noted as being the father of King Dick.

One reference to a Lion named Wallace in Foley’s Menagerie in an advertising
column in the Daily Southern Cross May 29 1968 (referenced by historian Lisa
Truttman author of the Zoo War)
a=d&cl=search&d=DSC18680529.2.2.6&srpos=23&e=-------10--21-byDA-on--
0Wallace+Lion+Forest--
However this is not the Lion that fathered King Dick. Further investigation
revealed several newspaper articles from 1906 in the Australian Newspapers
website. Wallace was described as an African Lion he was not sold at the auction
in question. A lioness named ‘Victoria’ was sold and she was mentioned as being
the mother of many fine cubs. She seemed to be part of the menagerie it is more
than possible that King Dick was the result of a mating between Wallace and the
lioness Victoria. (Link below for Examiner (Tasmania) 19 November 1906)
The African lion Wallace, a fine animal, was not sold. Two lions, Caesar
and Nero, and two lionesses, Empress and Princess, constituting a group of four
talented performers, were sold for £180. They will probable abandon the stage for a
zoological garden.. Inspite of her excellent references as wife and mother,
11
the African lioness Victoria who has successfully brought several
litters through the trying ailments to with baby lions are liable, did
not realise more than £29. (I suspect she was sold possibly to Melbourne Zoo but will
have to confirm that)
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/38113964?searchTerm=Bostock
%20Wombwell%20lion&searchLimits=
Wallace is mentioned in the following article on the Death of Fred Bostock

As reported in the Kalgoorie Western Argus 17 December 1912
“At the Paris Hippodrome the great trainer nearly lost his life in an
encounter with the enormous lion Wallace. which seized him in the
back and mauled him badly, causing him to be incapacitated for
many weeks.”
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/33417317?searchTerm=Bostock
%20Wombwell%20lion%20wallace&searchLimits=
MR. BOSTOCK DEAD. ANIMAL KING WHO WAS

LURED BY THE LION.'
Famous as an animal trainer and menagerie proprietor, Mr. F. C. Bostock, .after more
than one narrow escape from death in encounters with savage beasts, has succumbed
to in fluenza. The proprietor of "The Jungle" at the White City, whose death took
place at his London resi dence, was born at Darlington 46 years ago , He was
educated at Kelvedon College, Essex, for the church, his father, the well-known
showman. Mr. J. Bostock, Who mar ried a daughter of the Wombwell family,
intending him to follow the calling, but young Frank had other views. It was the lion
and the lion cage which attracted him. His father's lion tamer got badly mauled one
day, after roughly treating a lion, and Frank -asked to be allowed to take his place. In
the Lion Cage. His father refused but next day found his young son in the lion's cage.
"If you come out of their alive, I'll thrash you-" shouted the elder Bostock, but the
youngster got through his task with such success chat the old man allowed him to
continue, and thus at the early age of between 15 and 16, young Bostock started out
with the menagerie car&s vans, and commenced his career as a trainer, in which for
many years he was known as "The Animal King." Of magnificent build, standing well
over 6 ft. high, Mr. Bostock made a fine figure in his gala dress for the ring, and for
many years gave untold enjoyment to thousands of young sters and adults by. his
daring and clever feats. with wild animals. He believed in' kindness rather - than force
in the training of his lions, tigers, and other performing beasts. Over '1000 Animals..
Mr. Bostock fed over 1000 living animals in his various shows. He had over 100
circuses, shows, amusement parks, theatres, and the like at work in America,
Australia, Europe and South Africa, and was very proud of the fact ,that he was
connected with the Wombwell family, which had been in the business from 1805, and
had "showed" in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle before George IV., William IV.,
12
and Queen Vic toria. It was Mr. Bostock who revolutionised the' old circus idea of
"showing" performing lions in cars, van cages, and he introduced the modern idea of
large iron rails be ing placed all round the arena, in which the performing animals can
be seen to far greater advantage than under the old system. Inventor of the Joy Wheel
At one time in his 'earlier days Mr. Bostock used to perform with 28 lions at one time
in a "cage" of this description. The "joy wheel" was snother of· his inventions, and
scenic railways and similar side shows owed many of their improve ments sand
spectacular features to his mind. His first ,"jungle show" was started at the great
Chicago World's Fair, and scored an instant success. He also, when the Paris
Hippodrome had fallen on Ivil times, took the enormous buildng over, and quickly
made it a prosperous venture. Coney Island's 'DDreamland" was another -of his.
shows. and he was interested in the Limwa ,Pareka of Paer And Berlin.
Narrow Escapes. Mr. Bostock paid particular at tenltion to the education of anthropoid
apes, and was the showman who introduced Consul., the highly trained chimpanzee.
Mr. Bostock had many escapes from death, and was several times injured while
performing with lions, tigers, and other wild animals. On one occasion, in Kansas, he
was pinned down by a lion, and was only rescued by a lady tamer firing a blank
cartridge near the beast's ear. Once, while the show was at Birmingham. an angry lion
jumped down a manhole, and kept a. large number of men and some dogs at bay for a
long time. Subsequently Bostock went down the dangerous hole, and in the end the
lion was lassooed, and driven through the streets on a cart.
A Terrible Encounter. At the Paris Hippodrome the great trainer nearly

lost his life in an encounter with the enormous lion Wallace. which
seized him in the back and mauled him badly, causing him to be
incapacitated for many weeks. A few weeks ago Mr. Bostock was negotiating
with Mr. Oscar Hamnmerstien for a lease of the London Opera House, with the idea
of making it a winter garden, but nothing came of the matter. Mr. Bostock has left a
widow, and one son and five daughters. His two brothers, Mr. J. W. Bostock and Mr.
E. H. Bostock, an ex-councillor of Glasgow, are engaged in the same business.
BOSTOCK & WOMBWELL’S CIRCUS & MENAGERIE

HISTORY INTERNET SITES
Terence Ruffle – Bostock & Wombwell’s Circus Blog
Provides a series of images and discussion about the families involved with this
organisation. Also note in particular the comments section where inquiries are
made and answers give relating to various matters. Recommend for reading
http://terenceruffle.co.uk/20090223-terence-solo-blog-bostock-and-wombwells-
circus
The Life of Arthur Freely Trainer & Booking Agent with Bostock & Wombwell’s
Menagerie (University of Sheffield Website)
13
An interesting history with comprehensive images including posters and
handbills plus photograph of the menagerie.
http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/invited_articles/bostock.html
The History of Menageries (University of Sheffield Website)
A comprehensive history of Menageries in the UK. Various images Bostock &

Wombwell’s are mentioned in this article
http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/shows/menageries.html
Whose Who in Glasgow
Biography of E.H Bostock including a photo
http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/eyrwho/eyrwho0331.htm
14
1
Ohinemuri Gazette 3 January 1921 states King Dick’s date of birth as being ‘born on February 28, 1905
2
However in an Evening Post report 4 May 1921 it states that the lion had been offered by Bostick & Wombwell
Circus & Menagerie as a young. An off hand comment made by one of the Wellington City Councillors about having
the cub stuffed and mounted caused the offer to be withdrawn. The cub was subsequently sold to Wirth’s Circus.
Wirth Circus then reoffered the cub and the NZ Government Meteorologist D.C Bates went to New Plymouth and
collected the cub.

Working Timeline For Wellingtons First Lion

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Working Timeline for ‘King Dick’

Wellington’s First Zoo Lion

Birth of King Dick in Bostock & Wombwell’s Circus &

Evening Post Article 9 April 1906

- Evening Post 9 April 1906

Evening Post Article 11 April 1906

Evening Post Article 14 April 1906

Evening Post Article 21 April 1906

Wanganui Chronicle 26 April 1906 Article

Marlborough Express 6 June 1906

Evening Post Letter to the editor 9 June 1906

OUR SOLITARY LION - A SUGGESTION

Evening Post - 9 June 1906

Grey River Argus Article 11 June 1906

Evening Post Article 13 March 1908

Evening Post 16 March 1908

Evening Post Article 19 April 1908

NZ Free Lance Town Talk Column 3rd October 1908

Evening Post Article 11 December 1908

NZ Truth 10 April 1909

Evening Post 31 May 1909

Evening Post 1 December 1909

Evening Post Article 3 December 1909

NZ Truth Report 19 March 1910

NZ Truth Report 19 March 1910

NZ Truth Report 19 March 1910

Evening Post 27 July 1910

A report in the NZ Truth 28 January 1911 appeared concerning the loan of a

Evening Post 6 September

Evening Post Article 17 January 1912

Evening Post Article 18 January 1912

Evening Post 21 January

Evening Post Letter 19 February 1913

King Dick's Destruction

Giving details of Newtown Zoo’s latest additions including a report of some of

Wallace was noted as being the father of King Dick.

Wallace is mentioned in the following article on the Death of Fred Bostock

MR. BOSTOCK DEAD. ANIMAL KING WHO WAS

A Terrible Encounter. At the Paris Hippodrome the great trainer nearly

BOSTOCK & WOMBWELL’S CIRCUS & MENAGERIE

Terence Ruffle – Bostock & Wombwell’s Circus Blog

The History of Menageries (University of Sheffield Website)

A comprehensive history of Menageries in the UK. Various images Bostock &

Whose Who in Glasgow

Biography of E.H Bostock including a photo

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