MAROONED PARTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 96, 4 December 1939, Page 5

MAROONED PARTY

BACK FROM WHALE ISLAND

MAORIS AND LAUNCH CREWS

Heavily bearded and delapidated, the remainder oi the mutton birding party (some seventeen Maoris) and members of :he three launch ctcavs who Avere forced to spend the Aveek at Whale Island owing to the storm, stepped ashore last Saturday morn-

They Avere none the Avor.se for their prolonged stay on the bleak shores of tlie Whale. Though the Aveather was far from settled the launches decided to brave the conditions and after a storm;/ passage made the bar safely. The 'Emma,' the 'Hikahei,' and Mr C. HolJis' mullet boat comprised the group. The mullet boat Avhich arrived first entered the Western bar, but other .Javo A'essel essayed the main entrance. This Avas negotiated safely though the Emma gaA*e her creAV a little anxiety Avhen the engine petered out at the critical moment and Avith the heavy sea running it Avas feared she might foul the rocks. HoAA'CA-er, careful handling and J seamanship saAV her safely past the entrance and she anchored l-ower doAA T n the harbour. The men state that they made the best of their time during the storm. While many slept on the boats advantage also taken of the shelter on the island, which Avas improved as much as possible under the circumstances. The food of the party consisted mainly of fish, Avhich Ave re caught in fairly good quantities. Several of the Maoris AA T ent diving for crayfish, and captured up to a dozen. These men had the doubtful pleasure a feAV miuutes afterAvards of seeing tAVO 12 foot sharks swimming sloavlv round

the pool into which they had been diving. Several mutton birds were also caught, giving variety to the menu, Avhile two of the party went to the higher level and returned with a fairly well grown goat. On the whole the experience, apart from the miserable conditions and the necessity of being continually wet through, was according to at least two of the men, quite an enjoyable one, though one which would not necessarily be selected as a holiday in future.