WHALING IN OTAGO.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 528, 10 July 1869, Page 3

WHALING IN OTAGO.

About three weeks aao a whaling company was started at Otngo Heads, the plant consisting of two whale Vinntu axu3 fjooi-, txuo ia Lo ctationod at Waikouaiti and tho other at the Heads, both being manned by Maoris under the leadership of George Robertson, a half caste. The conditions of association were that each boat should proceed to sea every morning under a certain penalty on each of tho crew, who all work on shares. Communication is kept up by signals by day and fires by night. The company being thus started, it is gratifying to learn that their enterprise has been rewarded in the capture of a large whale. The whale and her calf, the latter about a week old, were observed off Yv'aikouaiti South Head, at noon on Friday, both apparently playing in the water. Chase was immediately given by both boats, and after a smart row, one of the boats succeeded in fastening to the cow, which was afterwards lanced and killed in the short space of two hours, when it was towed under the North Head of AVaikouaiti, and moored. While capturing the whale, an exciting scene occurred on board one of the boats, which was attacked and had her bows stove in by the calf. One of the Maoris, in fright, jumped overboard, but was smartly caught by Robertson, by the hair of the head, and in this position towed for six minutes before it was possible to take him on board. The calf was lanced but got away. It is, however, supposed that it will yet be caught. On the return of the Geclong from Waikouaiti with the whale in tow, she was followed by a largo shoal of porpoises, which evidently wanted a. feast on the dead monster —their gambols were the admiration of all on board. One rashly ventured within reach of Robertson's harpoon, and was captared. It is calculated that ten tons of oil will be got out of the whale, which has been brought to Port Chalmers and exhibited in the floating dock.