“PLAYING” A SHARK

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2388, 1 January 1909, Page 3

“PLAYING” A SHARK

Considerable excitement was recently created at Watson's Bay, Sydney, on account of what appeared from tlio shore to bo a desperate encounter between Mr. Thomas Farrell, a wellknown local boatman, and a big shark, which was angrily cruising about. Farrell was observed on several occasions to pull with all his might, folloAved' at a short distance, by the shark. “He is being chased,'- a hundred people exclaimed, and no one seemed able to devise a method by which he might be assisted without endangering other lives. The sensation extended to the ferry steamers, and the pursuit of the lone fisherman by the man-eating shark called forth expressions of genuine sympathy and alarm. - But it transpired afterwards-that there had never been any cause for alarm. Farrell, who had a customer booked for a fine specimen, was merely decoying the monster and playing with him. Lest competitors should secure the plunder Farrell wisely refrained from enlightening outsiders, but assisted Iry' his brother, Mr. Ernest Farrell, laid a trap for the shark. A huge hook, temptingly baited and- attached to suitable tackle, was ■buoyed in Camp Cove, and yesterday afternoon the efforts of tho Farrell brothers were rewarded. The shark, which proved to be of the blue-nointar species, measured 10ft in length, and made such a great fight for liberty that the assistance of several men had to be secured to haul it to the beachi Mr. Charles Samuels, a bookmaker, residing in the vicinity, had a marrow escape. He wa» bathing ill the cove when he espied the shark approaching him at a great rate of spec dr He swam desperately for the shore and gained the beach just in time. It was only a few minutes afterwards that the shark took tho bait prepared for him about 50 yards out from the Camp Cove beach.