MONEY AFLOAT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 119, 17 May 1912, Page 2

MONEY AFLOAT.

■V i WHAT THE AURORA MISSED. |

On her way south to land Dr Mawson and his party for their 12 months' expedition in the little known latitudes of the southern ice, the Aurora passed countless numbers of whales. Day after day there were whales everywherel—vast values in solid bullion plunging quietly hither and thither in the far southern waters. These whales were nearly all of the most valuable species afloat. The first few were "bowheads" —which are worth three "right" whales. The "right" whales were without number. Most of them were encountered "far-thest-south," after Dr Mawson's party had been landed at Adelie Land, and whilst the Aurora was on her way to put Mr Frank Wild and the members of his party, the second, ashore at" their base, 1200 miles further westward. Just after the party were landed more whales were sighted—"right" whales, in large numbers. And for days on the homeward trip whales were seen in dozens and scores within easy reach. And the value of a "right" whale is anything from £600 to £1200, just for the whalebone alone, according to late market rates. The spectacle of so much wealth going to waste,; so to speak, kept the ship's company quite, excited, especially those of them who knew what easy money whales are when met with in numbers, and, of the right species, because 10 or 12 "right" whales would be a full ship. And, with ordinary luck and proper gear, the Aurora's "season" "need only have lasted a few days. , • Captain Davis lias expressed some doubts as to the species of the whales met with. So expert testimony on the point was sought from the bosun (Mr Peers). This officer has had experience of whales. He said: "Yes, I know about whales, and there is no mistake, the 'right' whale when you see it—if you know.. The appearance of the fish is quite familiar to the experienced man. And: nearly all the whales we sighted that ■ were not the very valuable 'bowheads' were 'ritrht.' The 'right' whale has a different soout to any other. And it has a head that a man only wants to see once to recognise anywhere. The 'bowhead' throws atall straight spout that can't possibly be mistaken for anything else."" "And there are half' 'right' and 'bowhead' fish that you sighted down there?" .

"Sure thing," said the bosun, in quiet conviction. "Ask any whaler. A man who knows one end of a whale from the other end of a gig can tell these whales as far as he can see them. No, we didn't kill any. We had no gear. If we had gear ' The bo'sim paused. The situation was a painful one for him, $an enthusiast.

"But," he presently resumed, hopefully, "we're taking gear with, us going back, and it should not be necessary to collect money from Mie public for the next expedition that l)r Mawson will be in. The moneys down there—thousands of pounds floating around.

"Look here," said the bosun, in tones of strong conviction, "we could have killed 10 or 12 of those whales a day easily. And the bone in each of them would have been worth at least £600,! I've whaled.in the Arctic. I learnt my business with Captain Tilton, one of the best,= if mot the best, that ever went out of Frisco to the Arctic. And he reckoned I was his most apt pupil. I started in the old steamer Alexander. And we filled her that trip. And out of the teii whales we got I killed three stone dead, first iron. No chasing them arourid for days. , Yes, I know about whales. And I" tell you this, that there's enough whales where we've been to make the whole ship's company rich men. Or any other ship's company, either. And. they're the right sort, too. I'm no Dundee whaler, let me tell you. I've got no time for their style. I'd ;_ kill two whales while they were chasing one— and like as not^ lose him. "Gee," said the bo-sun, by way of conclusion. "I've offered to go whaling for this ship oh her mext trip for nothing—just for the share' in the profits that wouH be coming to me. I know'about .'those •-.■ whales down there; and they're right. ' That's all.

"You. may say that I am the whal- j jug expert to this expedition. Dr Mawson made that classification. He shipped me solely on the papers I' showed him- from my Arctic whaling. And I know what I'm talking about." And then the bosun stepped ashore and went off tip town to relieve his feelings. The fnct of his ship having missed those fortunes down south seemed to annoy him a little.