ATTACKED BY SHARKS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 January 1922, Page 4

ATTACKED BY SHARKS.

■'■TRAGEDY' ax’ FIJI. LOSS OF TWO LIVES. Suva, November 15.■ 11 lias always been regarded as a rather remarkable thing that the sharks in Fiji waters, although very numerous, have never been kuovui to attack a white person, and seldom, it. ever, a native. While Care has always been taken in bashing,., in the open sea, bathing in the rivers, where the waters are brackish, is common by both whites and .coloured, persons. There has never been tear of danger within the rivers, but no danger at all has ever been dreamed ot away up in the fresh water, some 30 miles from the sea, ,

! Yet the unexpected has happened 1 and Iwo lives have been lost.

A native named Essau wanted something from the store across the river lor his home, and picking up his little girl, placed her on his shoulders and set out across the river, as he had often, done before. He or- bis .girl were never seen again alive, but his body, frightfully lacerated and partly eaten •was found near at hand, while the little girl’s body, minus a leg, was found' half a mile down the stream. A few'days later some Chinese saw, but failed lo catch, an Bft shark near the store. ft ;is believed that, sharks followed a great drive of saga, which recently invade#! (he Rewa River, and have not been able lo find their way out again, owing to the lowness of the river, induced by a spell of dry weather.