SHARKS CAUGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1935, Page 6

SHARKS CAUGHT

THRILLS OX SYDXEY REACH

EXCITEMENT AT A CARNIVAL,

SYDNEY. February 6

Sharks have been prevalent off the Sydney benches, and a number were sighted while competitors in the Manly surf carnival were in the water yesterday afternoon, and at a number of beaches the alarm bell brought surfers hurriedly from the water. Two monsters were caught—one measuring 10 ft., in George’s River, and the other, which was 14ft. in length, at Bondi. There was excitement when the shark warning was received in the course of the Manlv carnival. The junior surf race had been swum, and the ‘patients’ of the first four teams competing in the rescue and resuscitation competition had swum to their buoys, several hundred yards out. The beltinen were just about to enter the water, when the manoeuvres of an aeroplane over North Stoyne indicated that something was wrong. A little later the aeroplane descended close to the water in the carnival area and dropped a message. Immediately the red flag was exhibited from the offiieal launch near tho swimmers’ buoys. It was a tense moment. The crews of half a donen surf boats did not wait for the broadcast appeal to go t'o the assistance of the swimmers, fflie boats were swiftly manned and urged vigorously through difficult surf. In a few minutes the swimmers were clambering to safety.

About an hour and a quarter later » signal was given from the aeroplane that the sharks had gone, and the referee, Mr M. .T. Ihirlce, permitted the open surf race to be decided. Sharks were also sighted at Freshwater and North Steyno on Saturday. On Sunday, the alarm was sounded twice at Doewhv, and sharks were plainly seen cruising along the head). Curl Curl.was also visited bv the monsters, and at Bondi hundreds of surfers hurried from the water when the warning bell was rung. It was also reported that sharks had been sighted near the beach at Brighton-le-Sands. Three men caught the shark in George's diver. They set a bait at East Hills on Friday evening. and early on Saturday morning it was found that a monster bad been booked. Tf was killed and dragged ashore. The nveii say they believe it is identical with the shark that attacked diehard Sodom and Borvl Morrin some weeks ago. The catch at Bondi was a huge grey nurse. It was hooked from the rocks, about which it bad been cruising for' some hours. A great fight ensued before it was dragged ashore.