WHALING.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1925, Page 4

WHALING.

Shortly alter lD.ijl.) o’clock on Mondav morning ol last, wee!;, I'icton was thrown into a high pitch ol excitement liv the appearance of three whales in the harbour, and lor about, an hour business within view of the water was at it .standstill. The liens spread rapidly, and within a remarkably short space of time Ike foreshore and all points of vantage were lined with interested spectators. The whales, '"hu-ii proved to be lather mother and son, were lirsl plainly »mi spouting within a .-.tone’s t)irmv'„i' the wharf, and for a full half-hour were earoering round within sight, telephone messages were immediately sent to the whaling sinlinn-. and the croud hoped that tb ‘ fast boat-: would arrive in time lor the "kill " to la- witnessed Irom the land. The molarJaunehes iti port were "rummnmlemvd ’’ by these keen in seeing the .sport front n handy position. Well within an hour, the first whalecont. Miss Wekunui. hove in sigiit, followed by the Oi'ea. and the remainder of the whaling Meet of both parties. '1 lie tail soon fell a. victim la Miss \\ ekanui. and the Urea’s bomb proved fatal to the cow, which. however, sank while being fastened to the Creseenl for lowing. The hull whale had. in the menuliiue. shot away towards AllpniT s Island, v. it!) the whalers in lull eha-e. Mr ,1. IVrnnu's party was sueecss!id in gaining the prize, which, with tire call', was immediately lowed by the Wailolii to the boiling-down works at. To Awaite. Tin- " kill " ol tl;e first tw’o was plainly seen from I’icton. while the whole operation was witnessed by numbers <;!’ townspeople in mntor-launehes. which bad followed m

the wake of the speed boats. It was after 1 oYkt.vk Ulorc many of the •tightt-t-ers returned to their ordinary busiue:-::-. Mr E. ('. Bora no's whale was reiloatetl during the uitern-ion and towed doAti to the station. The tally far the season at To ’Waite, tip to the present, is: .1. A. Perano’s party, 12; E. C. Perano's party, 11.