Fantastic

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 194, 18 August 1936, Page 7

Fantastic

Zane Greys 100-foot Shark

FISHING PARTNER PREFERS NORTH AUCKLAND SPORT

Per Press Association, AUCKLAND, Last Night,

Disagreement with the claims made recently by the American author and big game fisherman, Zane Grey, that Australia had tho greatest fishing coast in tihe world and that Australia was superior to New Zealand as a sword-fishing field, was expressed by Mr. H. TV. Williams, of Russell, who accompanied Mr. Grey on his recent expedition to the-Great Barrier reef and who returned from Sydney by the Aorangt. Mr. Williams brought his 36-foot specially - constructed fishing launch Avalon back with him, this being the boat which Messrs. Grey and Williams have used on many expeditions during the last 10 years. Mr. Williams shipped the Avalon to Sydney in December and with Zane Grey spent several mouths fishing for marlin and shark off tlho south coast of New South Wales. Later they operated for about a month at Sydney Heads and from May 6 to August 3 were at tho Great Barrier reef with their headquarters on Hayman Island. While at the reef they took part in the production of tihe Cinesound film " White Death,” dealing with big game fishing. "I have fished in all parts of. the world and there is no place like New Zealand,” said Mr. Williams. There was a great difference between North Auckland waters and the Australian coast, he said, and practically every aspect was in favour of the New Zealand area. The weather was far better, there was more shelter, greater facilities existed for anglers and the fishing grounds were closer to the established camps.

Mr. Grey’s belief that there were sharks in Australian regions 80ft. to 3.00 ft. long seemed fantastic to Mr. Williams, “I have been fishing for years,” he said, "and tihe biggest shark I have ever seen was one 22ft. long, at Whangamumu whaling station, North Auckland, about six years ago,” He did not know where Zane Grey was going to catch these monsters witih loft, sharks as bait!