WHALES CAST ASHORE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1918, Page 4

WHALES CAST ASHORE.

TWENTY-FIVE ON WEST COAST. Dargavillo, Sunday. Two ladies, members of the numerous parties camped on the West Coast, discovered, on Friday morning, 25 whales, which had come ashore close to Bayly's reserve. Twenty-three of the whales were lying close together, while a short distance away were the other two. The length of the whales ranged from 22ft to 45ft. Subsequently two male eaippers also discovered the school, and at once cut their brand on each carcase. Many of the whales were then alive. The male dis> overers at once took steps to realise on their asset, and it is stated that they refused tempting offers made by wouid-ba purchasers. They have arranged £or the necessary plant for boiling down the blubber, but it is stated that the original lady discoverers have since put in a claim as owners of the whales. During ' vesterday and to-day hundreds of people from Dargaville and other river towns have journeyed to the scene. Close to where Hie whales came ashors is a slimmer camping ground, whereof are erected numerous bungalows, which are tenanted during the greater portion of the year, and the owners are nowfaced with the possibility of being forced to terminate their camping season, owing to the odour which already is arising .from the str«jded whal«».