FLAYING A SHARK.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1356, 6 February 1912, Page 2

FLAYING A SHARK.

ifONSTER A BOAT.

A desperate encounter with u grey nurso shark look place in the Lane Cove River, Sydney, on January 28. The monster was landed. There is every reason to believe that this shark was tho author of the tragedy on Anniversary Day, when (he young' man Morgan was killed. Three brothers named Const-able (says the "Hun"), who. live in North Sydney, went to Hie, Lane Cove with a determination to make an effort lo capture the shark, which had been making things lively in tho upper reaches of the river about a mile up from Fis-'lYco Bridge. They made tlioir preparations in n methodical manner. A good shark-hue with large honk attached to a chain was baited with a mullet and thrown put in a spot near where Morgan was first attacked. Thoro was no appearance of the monster, ami the brotheis decided to go ashore and have their dinner. The lino was made fast to the boat, which was left at anchor.

The iislierinen lia<! been on shore only n few minutes when they heard a terrific commotion in the river. The water was lashed to foam and the boat was moving up stream at the speed of a motor. Though the Constables had been caught cilt their guard they were not Ionj; in roiiiim to i. deciHon as to what- should be) done. There wa< a boat close by, end procuring this they put out three .pairs of oars and clashed nfter- their own ixi.'il , , which tlie shark had in low.

When n«iring (he cantilever bridjje near (lie starch mill the monster slewed round and made a ila.-h down tlr&iui ajain. The bout nearly capsized during this nianotuvre. Not beine ,ihlo lo set rid pf its burden,, the shark sot misty and iittacked the boat, but without doing any d.-iiuase.

Thereupon it started up stream again. It was making Rood towards the bridge when Uie Constable brothers eoiipfht up to tin; boat. The shark, findinj,' ln> was about to be attacked, liirnod on the b»:it, flasliins: ii fin ami showinp liis tsctli. Hut they nianased to set on board their own l:oi\t; jo which the line wns iitlached. l'oelinc the extra weight the shark eased down a bit. (Jars we're put out in order lo Ret morn weight on, and then the monster was played.

In spite of frantic liisliini; the. sovntre fir.li was unable to sot away. lie rolled over cm the surface, showin? a wide jaw sel; with glistcniiic; teeth, nnd made frantic efforts to not nt those in the boat.

The shark's efTirls were of no avail. At the end of half nn hour Hie fielienr.cn had the shark exhausted, and triumphantly towed it ashore a few hundred yards below (ho bridge near the mill. Hero (ho monster was dragged up on tin , river bank and pivon its quietus. IVheii Iho rule was put on (lie sli.-u-k it was found to be !)!ft. in length r.ml fift, in girth. Klnted with (heir success in capturing the murderous sh.ivk. the Constable brothers had it , towed back to l'ip Trw. where they borrowed some old soils and erected a marque;: near the wlia.uC Hero Hie shark wns jilactvl on exhibil.ioii, and was visited by a tlirons of sightseers, nearly .£22 beiiw taken at (lie ilcor. This i< to In.' handed over (.0 (lie mother of the unfortunate man Jloritan. Hn was killed near the spot where the shark- was captured.