FRUITLESS SHARK HUNT

Evening Star, Issue 17928, 25 March 1922, Page 12

FRUITLESS SHARK HUNT

<> ISLANDERS IN THE SURF. RECORD CROAVD AT COOGEE.

The announcement that a band of dusky seamen, recruited from tho Loyalty Islands, would explore tho Coogeo Bay for sharks, attracted a crowd of nearly 80,000 to that seaside resort at Sydney recently. It was a record for Coogeo. The visitors swarmed like bees along every vantage point, and the vanguard was pressed so close to the water’s edge that a more vigorous burst of tho rolling breakers caused many a soaking. But they overlooked tho discomforts of wet feet in anticipation of the “thrilling drama’’ which was to bo enacted beforo them.

Early in the afternoon there were indications that the Loyalty Islanders would bo restrained from carrying on their search for sharks.

Tho manager of tho Coogeo surf sheds (Mr F. O’Grady) and the local life-paver (Mr Brown) were definitely opposed to the venture, and when a messenger was tent to tho surf sheds with a request that tho colored swimmers bo supplied with costumes Mr O’Grady refused to supply them. Tho view of the local officials was that tho crowd should bo discouraged from developing a morbid instinct. If an Islander did manage to got into grips with a shark, a rescue party would have to ho sent out, and there would bo a needless risk of life.

“ Tho niggers won’t find any sharks today,” Mr O'Grady said, “because our lookout is too good.” Despite tho opposition of tho local officials, who represent tho Eandwick Council on tho beach, the Islanders assembled at the Coogeo Life-saving Club’s premises, and, having donned quamt-lonk-mg costumes, armed themselves with knives, grinned in a body for the benefit of tho camera man, fought their way through the closed-up ranks of the crowd, and entered tho water near tho spot at which young Goughian lost his life. Tho crowd pressed forward greatly oxcited. They evidently expected a 'shark to make an appearance at any minute; but tho swimmers, judging by their happy mood, did not share tho misgivings of tho watchers. Several of the Inlanders swam out to sea about 260yds, and one tried to balance himself on a kerosene tin which marked tho spot at which a shark bait had been set.

Tho presence of the Islanders in the surf revived tho courage of tho small band of white surf era, who .ventured further out for “shoots.” The afternoon passed without excitement. No sharks were, located—mot even one was sighted! The entertainment over, tho hat was taken round, and the Islanders were presented with about £1 each. Tho crowd left the beach, and struggled for a foothold on the trams, on whicti they wedged themselves like sardines -in a tin, while perspiring conductors fought hopelessly to collect fares.