THE SEA SERPENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3878, 5 August 1891, Page 2

THE SEA SERPENT.

▲ tfarina Monitor. [By Telegraph.] (United Press Association.) 0IBBORNJ;, Wednesday. Alfred For.d Matthews, surveyor, writes to the Herald that while op board the Manapouri from Auckland to Gisborne on Friday, July 24th, ho and several others distinotly saw % sea serpent resembling the one Been from the Rotomahana off Portland Island. The serpent when seen lrom the Manapnuri was a few miles north of the East Cape, so evidently has been travelling south. The time wag between 8 and 9 in the morning. The monster was also seen by the ship's officer m charge. It was watched I for over ten minutes, any was j travelling slowly, rising iteftty twenty -or 'thirty' feet 'obi of the water every two minutes. It would from time to time lift it* head and part of its 1)ody to a great height perpendicularly, and when in that position turn its body round in' a mogt peculiar manner,' displaying a black back and white belly. Two arms,

like appendages, of a great length, appeared to dangle about like the broken limb on the human body. It.. would then suddenly drop back intol the water, scattering it in all direc-l tions. It had a flat head, and was! about half a mile distant from the! ship. The other passengers confirm! the statement. The Maoris, to whomj Matthews has mentioned the matteH state it as a " taniwha." H