A HUGE WHALE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 182, 23 July 1908, Page 4

A HUGE WHALE.

THE TASK OF SKCIUUNO THE SKELETON. G'hristchurch, Monday. The huge whale which was cast ashore near Okarito (in southern Westland) some five or six mouths ago lias been purchased as it lies on the beacii by Mr. Edgar F. Stead and a Welling-' ton gentleman. The price: is not mentioned, but it is understood to be very small in relation to the amount that it will cost to laud the skeleton in l.yttelton. The task of securing the skeleton would in any case be one of considerable magnitude, but under the circumstances it will probably be found to present unexpected dillieullies. A portion of the whale is buried six feet inl the sand, washed round by waves, and a good deal of excavating between tides will*be necessary, with the possibility that the next tide may render the work useless. The whale measures 87ft in length and lUi't in depth. Its weight is estimated at 15 tons. When it is also remembered that it lias been dead for quite a long time it will be recognised that the work of separating the Ilesh from the bones will be neither easy nor pleasant.

Air. Stead leaves to-morrow with three friends—Messrs. Walker (t). ami .1. 11. Clayton—for Okarito to undertake Hie job. The party are taking an extensive equipment of gorse knives and hay knives for tutting up the blubber; hooks for dragging it away, blocks and taeklc for lifting the lmge bones, and ,it is said, a store of Jeyes' fluid for purposes which will be obvious to anyone who has been within range of a dead whale. Air. Stead and his friends will camp close to the scene of operations, which is some six miles along the beach from Okurito. and expect io be away live week's. The future destination of the skeleton, if their efforts lire successful, is at present undecided, but if niiiv be mentioned that a skeleton of such enoriiioux size is to lie found in very few of the great museums of the world. •