PELORUS JACK AND PILOT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1152, 13 June 1911, Page 6

PELORUS JACK AND PILOT.

0 REMARKABLE STORIES IN ENGLISH PAPERS. New Zealand's famous fish Pelorus Jack is gradually becoming an international celebrity. Tho erroneous report of his death a tew months ago produced quite a crop of obituary notices in the Jinglish papers. Most ot tho iniormation published was moro interesting than accurate. The "Manchester Guardian's" London correspondent, usually a sober and well-informed writer, indulged in the following flight:— ''So Pelorus Jack, the only .fish in the world that was specially protected by an Act of Parliament, is dead, ilo waited on ships outside the Sound and piloted them up to Wellington, keeping ahead, dead in the centre of the channel, all the way. lie was tho last of his race, and the news that his body has been found partly eaten by sharks will be mournful tidings lo scientists as well as to sailors. Sailors all over the world know of Pelorus Jack and disbelieved in him until they saw him. Many a fo'e'sle fight has been caused by this famous fish, for his existence was an article of faith t'o those who had sailed in Antipodean seas and an old wife's tale to the Western ocean men. The other day I was talking with a sailor who had just returned from New Zealand, and had had a curious adventure with Pelorus Jack less than six months ago. He was sailing in a brig that had been trading in the Polynesian Islands. When they reached the Sound thero was a good slant of wind, and tho skipper decided to beat up to Wellington. Now this was a tiling that was rarely done, as most of tho ships are steamers, and sailing ships usually wait tor tugs at the entrance, the wind being rarely favourable anil the channel being unsafe for the usual big sailer. Pelorus Jack was waiting for them, and started off ahead ill the centre of the channel as usual. When he found the brig heading on shore he shifted his course anil swam up. and then headed for. mid-channel again. Finding his lead still disregarded, he began to move along in some'agitation, which increased after the brig had put about, sailed through inid-channel, and away to the other side. The fish then became very excited, and began to lash the water and plunge one way and then another. Ultimately Jack gave up, and left to her fate this unaccountable ship that would not keep in the proper place. But possibly his; heart was broken, and I. am sure that iny sailor friend, for one, would give the brig's behaviour as the (rue cause of his death."

The "Daily Mail" also drops a tear over poor Jack's corpse, but its remarks are quite prosaic compared with those of the "Guardian." It says;—" Everybody who has sailed up the Sound into the harbour of Wellington, New Zealand, will hear with regret of the death of 'Pelorus Jack.' This famous dolphin has for years acted as the pilot of ships, and his loss will be deplored not only by New Zealandcrs but by travellers. . . .

"A correspondent writes: 'When tho King, who was then the Duke of York, was making his last visit to New Zealand, I was one of the company. As we approached Wellington we were told by the sailors that our warship would bo met in the Sound by an extraordinary pilot, in the shape of a dolphin. We treated the story as a sailor's yarn, but, sure enough, when we entered the Soun'd, there was the famous fish (which must have been about 10ft. long) speeding before us and showing us the way. It is duo to "Pelorus Jack" to say that he was not tempted from his duties as pilot by food thrown overboard. Ho took his business seriously, and not until wo wero at anchor did he give any heed to tho hospitality of the crew."'

One of the greatest triumphs of the kinematographer's art has just been achieved i" London by Barker Motion Photography, Ltd. It represents the filming of Sir Tl. Beerbohm Tree's spectacular Shakespearean production "Henry YII.I" as it was presented at His Majesty's Theatre. Included in the east were Sir Herbert Tree as Cardinal Wolsey, Mr. Arthur Bourchier, and Miss Yiolet Yanbrugh. The acting has been described as artistically perfect (each performer speaking the lines of the authorised text), whilst the lavish mounting of (he picce, the gorgeous dressings, and the richness of the hangings and furnishings combined to nia|<o one of the most dazzling spectacular displays ever produced. In all 180 persons moved before tho camera during the action of the piece. West's Pictures, 'Ltd., have secured tho rights of the' reproduction, and will present it to their natrons at the King's Theatre on Thursday next. Juno 15.

To-night's Municipal Orchestral concert should be a highly attractive one. Mr. Horace Hunt will play a solo, Beethoven's Pianoforte Concerto in C minor (Ist movement) on tho Dresden Piano Company's new Sloinway grand piano. The "Finlandia" tone poem, by Sibelius, will be repeated, and the march from Henry VIII (Sullivan) and Loin du Bal (Gillet) should prove an interesting item.

A stock sale will be held at Palmerston North oil Thursday, June'ls.

Tho march from London to Brighton of a detachment; of Ihc London Rifle Brigade, sth C'ity of London Battalion, ended successfully at the Brighton Aquarium at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 23. Fiftysix men started and all finished in excellent condition. The men had been trained by Sergeant Wallis, and carried full marching kit. weighing abou.i l/illi. They started from London at 1 p.m. on Saturday, the journey thus taking nineteen hours.