UNUSUAL SIGHT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 47, 7 February 1928, Page 9

UNUSUAL SIGHT

SCHOOL OF BLACKFISH STRANDED. SOME WEIGH NEARLY TWO TONS. Feb. 6. A school of blackfish was an unusual sight seen at Castle Rock* Whangarei Heads* on Saturday evening. Settlers* and passengers un the Kororo, saw the fish follow ihe leader- - said to be the smallest ox" the school-— on to the rocks and the adjoining beach* where they became straudc.i* despite frantic efforts to get back to deep water. The fish are reported to have *>een from six to 20 feet in length* and three of the largest must have weighed close on two tons. The stranded school* numbering 37, was the object of much attention by trippers during the week-end, when one or two were still living* though high and dry. One of these near the water was helped buck to its natural element* and soon swam almost out of sight, but after camo inshore to the same spot, whore it once more became stranded. These amphibians are very faithful to the shoal, and will in no circunr stances leave it. This was proved by an incident on Saturday evening, when the visitors became stranded. Two who had escaped swam in company around the bay for nearly two hours* and eventually went on to the rocks. Thu residents set to work on Sunday evening to remove the fish -from the shore before this task became too unpleasant* and the carcases are now spread over the whole harbour foreshore down to the far end of Uurquhart’s Bay. Seven are lodged near the wharf there* where there is a regular traffic in dairy products, and others are lying opposite private residences and week-end cottages. The people arc in doubt as to which authority should undertake the task of towing the carcases out to the sea —the Harbour Board. Marine Department or Health Department. The only effective way is to take them into the main channel on a sea ward drift* and it is believed th; board will undertake this duty.