PELORUS JACK.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1911, Page 3

PELORUS JACK.

REPORT OF HIS DEATH CONTRA- • ' DICTED. ■j ■ * [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL TO THE STAB.] WELLINGTON, This Day. It was reported yesterday that the peculiar white dolphin “Pelorus Jack’' which has been seen for many years in Pelorus Sound, was dead. This has, however, since been contradicted. Yesterday afternoon Mr G. Allport, Secretary for Marine, received a telegram stating that what was believed tc be the carcase of “Pelorus Jack” was washed up on the beach at D’Urville Is land. The colour, size and shape o’ the carcase, resembled “Pelorus Jack.” The length of the body was found to be an inch short of 14 feet, and the girth is 9ft or 10 feet. By appearances the body had been dead about a week, and had been bitten by sharks after death. The body, was secured by lines to prevent its removal. Mr Allport gave instructions for the skeleton to be secured and brought to Wellington.

The order in Council prohibiting interference with and protecting “Pelorus Jack” expired last night and a new order in Council was prepared last Monday. _ ■ On arrival of the Pa,teen a in Wellington last night Captain Carey and his officers were interviewed concerning th< reported death of the “fish” which has proved such a constant attraction foi many years to passengers on the Nelson run.

Captain Carey stated that he saw “Jack” on Saturday afternoon, and he wa,s also seen by several people on board. A seaman on the Pateena named Nicholson stated that while on the lookout he saw “Pelorus Jack” for half an hour on Monday night on the way from Picton to Nelson. Nicholson says tha< some passengers also saw him at tin same. time. “Jack” came alongside at 9.20 p.ra. and was still sporting around the hows at ten minutes to ten, when the vessel was off Point Harding. Mr J. Boyd, mate of the steamei Nikau, and Mr Dodson, the second engineer, also saw “Pelorus Jack” or Monday night west of Pelorus Sound. White “fish” resembling “Pelorus Jack” have been seen from time to time off the New Zealand Coast, On one occasion about thirty-eight years ago the Government steamer Luna passed a shoal of such “fish” resembling “Jack” ip every respect off Cape Campbell. The late Sir James Hector happened to be on board the Lpna on that occasion.