KNOWING 'DOLPHINS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1075, 11 March 1880, Page 3

KNOWING 'DOLPHINS.

A contributor to the New Zealand Thnes in an account of a visit to Picton says;—Co the early days, the Sounds were resorted to by whalers, and the Maoris and some few white men did well off the coast and knew the value of all kinds of oil. A man and his wife lived in one of the coves not far from the entrance of the Sound, where the tide entered a large lagoon thrown a very narrow channel. When the tide retired this lagoon was left partially dry. Dolphins were in the habit of regularly entering this lagoon to disport themselves, and in large numbers. It occurred to the worthy couple that if they erected a sort, of portcullis on the narrow opening they might catch dolphins i/i large nnmliers, and enrich theraselfby the oil. They turned to and brought timher frcm. the ran»e, and erected fences on each side. All the time the fences were being constructed, the dolphins entered the lagoon as usual. Then came a stormy fortnight and neap tides, during which none appeared, and in the meantime tlyfe slip gate is in proper working a large haul at fish, as they were/ailed expected. The first spring tide 1/Rpgs a fine day with it, and the school 'is seen advancing up Torry Channel, making for their favorite cove. TJiey come to a dead halt in front of the trap, ; nothing is seen different to their last visit except a single crossbar over the entrance. The leader halts, takes a somersault, and the others follow his example, in front of the gate, as if they were performing some aquatic war dance, remained for a few minutes, retired

to return no more. Although, the fence has long since disappeared under the tuning powers of the torpedo, no dolphin has for sixteen years been seeii to visit the cove. "Yes sir," says my informant, "-old Jim ! poor soul, he is long since dead and gone, and the old woman too* often tnld ine that there big tin as led the mob, avevy time as he took a turn Upwards, gave, his head a shake and winked at him." 1 cannot vouch for the winking, which J apprehend must be taken eum grano, sal is but the main incidents are well kno>yn and believed through the Sounds..