STRANDING OF THREE WHALES AT WELLINGTGN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1579, 10 January 1884, Page 2

STRANDING OF THREE WHALES AT WELLINGTGN.

(Flora tho N.Z. Times.) ' For several days past fisherman in Wellington harbor have been some, what puzzled by the disappearance of fish from their favorite grounds, and the older hands surmised that several whales had been disporting themselves in the bay. Any doubt that may have existed on the subject was dispelled yesterday afternoon, when four bottlenosed blackfish were stranded on the TeAro foreshore. It is inferred that the fish were near tho shore, and that the Takapuna's arrival at that time frightened them and caused them to •go into shallow water, where the re- . ceding tide left three of them, the largest of the little school managing to escape. One of the employees at the gasworks saw the monsters splashing about just inside the trestle railway which has been built in connection with tho Te Aro reclamation, and was not slow in apprising his mates of the prize that was within easy reach cf them. Armed with the rudest of implements, a number of men waded out to the fish and proceeded to inflict injuries upon them, which they no doubt considered were bound to prove fatal. In how far they were successful may perhaps bo inferred from the fact that the process of killing was maintained with extraordinary vigor from 3.15 p.m. till 7 p.m.. as many as half-a-dozen men being occasionally required to give the blow of a lance, and that one of the animals showed very decided signs of life at 11 p.m., although several acres of water were dyed red with blood. One good precaution was, however, taken in fastening a stout ropo to the tail of each fish, by means of which they were secured to tho trestle work. The news soon spread through the town and thousands of men, women, and children flocked -to the shore during the afternoon and evening. Tho trestle railway bridge, from which a good view could be obtained, was closely packed for a distance of several chains, and it is calculated that about 400 person were on it. Each effort of tho unfortunate creatures to elude their, captors was loudly cheered by tho crowd, who no doubt admired tho immense power which they displayed. As tho night advanced tho crowd dispersed, and when efforts were made to haul the prizes ashore, which was after 11 p.m., there were very few people present. When our reporter left, one of tho fish had been hauled to within about a chain of high-water mark. From ono of the men who took a rough measurement, we learn that the largest of the strangers measures 31ft in length the second 25ft, and the third 23ft. Their valuo is estimated at from £6O to £l2O. Mr W. T. L. Travers paid a deposit to secure one or moro of the skeletons. . The" occurrence was not without its humorous side, and there were several tumbles off the trostle work, upon which no one would think of venturing unless there was a special inducement, In one case, two staid-looking middie-aged men had locked their •hands together for mutual safety; but, alas for their calculation! one of them fell and pulled his friend after him into about fivo feet of water, with a rough sea breaking round them, Tho occurrence caused intense amusement, especially to a dandy, who put his hands to his hips, laughed loudly, then sat on the sleeper behind him, and igno-' miniously dropped into the water. One of the mon who had waded out to the fish probably found the three feet of water in which he was • standing a trifle cold, and therefore mounted one of the whales which had not shown any signs of life for some minutes. In a sportive sort of manner he dug a chisel-headed ironbaatij which he held in his hands into it, immediate result being that he was sent some fifteen feet away. His reappearance was very naturally the eauso of great merriment. The cutting up and trying out process will probably begin to-day.

Ex British Kino.-Wo have justrcceived and opened out one caso of the faabionablo Henry 11. huts, for ladies' wear, at Te Aro House. Wo aro bow showing a choice and fashionable selection of ladies' and children's jaunty hats at To Aro House, We have now for the delectation of juveniles three thousand ion balloons at 3d caoli, at To Aro House. You should soothe new Japanese cabinets, photo, frames, fan brackets, graphoscopes, stereoscopes, and a heap' of other charming articles, specially adapted for New Year's presenta.at Te Aro House. Just opened put a fowohdiee infanta'hats in cream, grey, and striped velvet and swan, and we are also prepared to sell 500 chil. dreii's pompadour granny bonnets and white quilted bats, worth from 2s 6d to 4s 6d, for one slii(% each, at TeAro House, We are now showing an assortment of boys' strong ribbed cotton knickerbocker hose, specially adapted for.school and holiday weary also, blue.and pink Lisle thread hoao in all sizes; for children's and ladies'wear, at To Aro Hoiise, Cuba-street, Wellington.— Adyt. ~ ' '■■'.. !' .. •'.• ■' ■..