MAYOR ISLAND SPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18945, 17 February 1925, Page 11

MAYOR ISLAND SPORT.

FIGHTS WITH BIG FISH. MORE PARTIES ARRIVING. FORMER VISITOR RETURNS. [by TJSLEGEAFH. —crwx CORRESPOND®:-' 1 !. I TAUKANGA. Monday. The Auckland-owned auxiliary yacht Francis hag returned to Tauranga from Mayor Island where the party have been after big fish. On Thursday one of the party, Mr. J. Buddie, secured a sword-fish of over 3001b. It measured lGtfc. 4in. in length and put up a game fight for about three-quarters of an hour, .having to be followed for about two miles before it was brought alongside the yacht and killed. Several other swor'dfish were hooked, but they broke away. A mako shark, 9ft. long, was hooked on Friday morning,, and fought in very determined fashion for about an hour and a-half before it was harpooned and killed. Later a smaller shark was also secured. The party intend to fish again off Mayor Island when on their return to Auckland. The catches of big fish off Mayor Island from Tuesday to Friday last week give a total of seven swordfish and 17 sharks. Several swordfish after being hooked managed to break the tackle and escape. The catches recorded are as follows :—Messrs. A. S. Butler (London) and, V. S. Bennett (St.. Johns. Newfoundland), two swordfish, one of 3001b, and the other of 4301b., also a mako shark of 1701b./; Messrs. W. Hunger and party (Te Ajroha,',, four swordfish (3501b., 3801b., 340!b., a/id 4001b.); Mr. C. Hartley and. party (ya/cht Janet), 14 sharks, including two mako (9ft. and 10ft.) and one of the sh/jvelnosed species (12ft.); Mr. R. Shake'spea? and party (auxiliary yacht Frandafy, oft® swordfish (3001b.), one mako shacfe, 9ft. long, and a smaller mako. The swordfish are' reported to b» numerous, and are seen at time?, disporting themselves in various parAs of the ocean. AH the fish captvared have afforded splendid sport. A sportsman, Mr. Samuel, McCaltoch, arrived in New Zealand by the Mahrno on Tuesday and reached "Tauranga on Friday, fie is proceeding to Mayor Island, where he enjoyed fine sport last season. On this occasion, he intends staying at the island for five* weeks, and during that period he will be joined by other sportsmen. Mr. A. D„ Campbell has also gone to Mayor Island.,