MAN-EATERS HERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 59, 1 June 1927, Page 13

MAN-EATERS HERE

TIGER SHARK TAKEN OFF BAY OF ISLANDS THE Tiger Shark, one of the most ferocious man-eaters on the New South Wales coast, Has made its appearance in New Zealand waters. * One captured recently, and dissected in Auckland some days later, had a collie dog, a small blue penguin, and two large crayfish, in its inside. The shark was nine feet in length, and weighed 5401b5. Mr. L. T. Griffin, of the Auckland Museum, who made the examination, discussed this monster of the deep at a meeting of the Auckland Institute last night. Whether the tiger shark had been frequenting NeAv Zealand waters previously Mr. Griffin could not specifically state, but the chances were that it had not been an infrequent visitor to this coast. ONLY A SMALL ONE

The specimen was only a small one, as this shark grows to at least 16ft. as a rule. The tiger was described as one of the most ferocious of all the shark tribe, and on the Australian coast had been responsible for a good many bathing tragedies. The necessity for preserving the fair name of Auckland harbour was emphasised by Mr. Gilbert ArcheA’ (Curator of the Museum ), who declared that a harmless type of shark, which in all probability came here to breed, was sometimes alluded to as the Grey Nurse. “It is quite harmless and nothing o! the kind,” explained Mr. Archey, who said the Grey Nurse was one of the most ferocious killers in Australia, and certainly never appeared in Auckland harbour. He again entered a plea for fishermen and others to send specimens o 1 fish with which they were unfamiliai to the Auckland Museum for identification .