SPEARING FISH

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 2, 3 January 1941, Page 9

SPEARING FISH

Caledonians Give Exhibition SYDNEY, Dec. 14. New Caledonian sailors from a French steamer gave Alanly fishermen a lesson, recently. While men sat with baits untouched, tfie natives dived into ithe surf with spears and caused even a jshark to seek safety in deep water. A dozen New Caledonian natives who are housed temporarily at the North Head quarantine station went to Fairy Bower, on the ocean side of the headland. Each had a long pole with a spike about 2ft. Gin. in length at the end. They worked with six in the water at a time and six on the shore to retrieve the fish from the spears as mates waded in. The New Caledonians worked steadily along the waterfront from Fairy Bower to the southern end of Manly Beach, swimming, sometimes wading, with heads under water, searching for prey. They wore shorts and watergoggles. As soon as one sighted a fish there was a flurry of foam as he lunged and he came to the surface holding his spear high with a fish spiked through the middle. Their accuracy left the Manly fishermen gasping. One speared a leather]acket, barely four inches long. They secured a 121 b. groper and another of 101 b., between 20 and 30 rock carp, and a few blackfish. Great excitement was shown by the New Caledonians when one came ashore and reported that he had sighted a shark. He said that he had attacked it and given it a nasty jab with his spear. The shark made off at full speed and the native swam ashore, not in alarm, but to report that here, indeed, was big game. The whole party dived into the water, hunting for another shark, but none was seen, and they resumed their fish spearing until they secured an ample lunch.