MANY SWIMMERS STUNG

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27862, 10 January 1956, Page 8

MANY SWIMMERS STUNG

Bluebottles Return In Greater Numbers

THOUSANDS WASHED UP ON BEACHES

Thousands of bluebottles were washed up on the beaches near Christchurch yesterday, and surf patrols report that they have had to treat many persons for stings. “They are the worst they have been in years.’’ said Mr A. I. Davison, the senior instructor of the North Beach Surf Life-saving Club, last night. “Some of the men who have been members of the club for 15 and 16 years say they have never seen them in greater numbers. The beach is just covered with them.” The bluebottles were brought in again by the strong easterly wind, and were first seen at the Waimairi beach abbut 4 p.m. on Sunday. They gradually worked their way south along the beach. They were first encountered at North Beach about 9 a.m. yesterday, and began to arrive at New Brighton in ever-increasing numbers shortly after midday. Later in the afternoon, they were seen at South Brighton. Bluebottles in their thousands arrived at Taylor's Mistake yesterday afternoon. This was an unexpected visit, and many swimmers were caught unawares. Some were treated for stings. Till yesterday, Taylor's Mistake had not been affected. From a surf ski 200 yards off shore, a mass of bluebottles could be seen for about 50 yards in all directions. Large numbers of bluebottles were in the surf and on the beaches on the previous week-end. but when the easterly wind subsided, they disappeared.