Big Shark Seen

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 1

Big Shark Seen

New Zealand Press Association >

NEW PLYMOUTH, January 10. A police marksman and a fisherman were rushed to Oakura beach late this morning after a big grey shark was seen cruising where Rae Keightley was mauled to death on Saturday.

Blood and offal were dumped in the water, and surfers placed baited lines after it seemed that the killer shark might still be in the area. Constable D. Mills, of Okato, ordered offal from the abbatoirs and arranged for an experienced fisherman to be taken to the beach. Then he seized a rifle and left himself. “I hope we get it." he said grimly before he left.

Constable Mills was swimming at Oakura beach on Saturday afternoon when the; tragedy occurred. "If it is the killer shark.; it may have returned to scene—it’s said that they I do," he said. Fishermen were floating i

out heavy baited lines off the beach at 1.30 p.m. today in an attempt to catch the shark. The shark disappeared at 11.30 a.m. after cruising around the area for an hour. A resident said it could still be there, hidden by the high tide.

Heavy surf and a stiff breeze thwarted attempts by Constable Mills and the fisherman to launch a boat to search for the shark. Renewed attempts will be made tomorrow if the wind drops and conditions favour a launching. ' Three sharks were also seen about a quarter of a mile off Waitara West Beach today. “They have been there for a fortnight,” said a resident. He could not indicate the j species.