SPORT WITH SWORDFISH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19475, 9 May 1925, Page 10

SPORT WITH SWORDFISH.

A LONDON WOMAN’S IMPRESSIONS. (From Ox® Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, -May S. A 2ft sword from a monster swordfish captured at Mayor Island and a 151 b trout from Taupo are two unique souvenirs of a most exhilarating sporting holiday, which Mrs 11. N. Bell, of London, will take back with her to England next week. Mrs 8011, after throe months in quest of whatever big game might be offering, is convinced that New Zealand is the most remarkable country in the world so far us its natural beauties- and, the conditions of outdoor life and sport with rod and gun are concerned. She has camped and fished at Mayor Island, has waded streams at the lake shore at Taupo, has stalked deer in the country round about Tarawera and at Mount Somers in Canterbury, ai d is convinced (hat it lias been the most wonderful holiday experience of her life. She described her adventures witli real enthusiasm. Prior to coining to New Zealand she said she had fished in England and Scotland, had stalked deer and shot grouse, but, never once had there come a moment equal to that in which she landed a 3801 b monster from (lie deep blue waters that lie beyond Mayor Island. ‘Tt was, X think, absolutely the most thrilling moment of my life,” she declared. “I knew while I was playing him that he was a monster, but when I got him alongside and saw the si/e of him —12ft long—well, I suppose only those who have had a similar experience would know how I felt. In the sunshine ho glistened nil over with the most exquisite opalescent colouring. I never imagined a fish could be so beautiful. He put up a great fight, rustled away wit.li the line and ran about SOOyards, leaping sometimes clear out of tlio water. U took an hour and a-half to land him, and 1 was aching all over by ihe time I got him alongside the launch. But it was well wortli it. The sword was nearly 2ft long and looked a horribly formidable weapon. I w.is not at all surprised to hear that small boats had been rammed by swordfish.” Although this was the only large fish captured by her party during their week's stay at Mayor Island. .Mrs Bell and her friends thoroughly enjoyed their first taste of life under canvas. The beauty of the surroundings and the novelty of camp cooking made the trip a memorable one.