THREE WHALES CAUGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 12

THREE WHALES CAUGHT

EXCITEMENT AT PICTON. "KILLS" MADE IN HARBOUR. RESIDENTS VIEW THE HUNT,

Shortly after 10.30 o'clock on Monday morning Picton was thrown into a high pitch of excitement by the appearance of three whales in the harbour, and for about an hour business within view of tho water was at a standstill. The news spread rapidly, and within a remarkably short space of time the foreshore and all points of vantage were lined with interested spectators. The whales, which proved to be father, mother and son, were first plainly seen spouting within a stone's throw .of the wharf, and for a full half-hour wore careering round' within sight. Telephone messages were immediately sent to tho whaling stations, and the crowd hoped that the fast boats would arrive in time for the "kill" to be witnessed from the land. Tho motor launches in port were "commandeered" by those keen on seeing the sport from a handy position. Well within an hour, the first whaleboat, Miss, Wekanui, hovo in sight, followed by the Orea and the remainder of tho whaling fleet of both parties. The calf soon fell a victim to Miss Wekanui, and the Orea's bomb proved fatal to tho cow, which, however, sank while being fastened to the Crescent for towing. The bull whale had, in the shot away toward Allport's Island, with the whalers in full chase. Mr. J. Peraijo's party was successful in gaining the prize, which, with' the calf, was immediately towed by Waitohi to the boiling-down works at 1 k Awaite.

The. "kill" of the first two was plainly neen from Picton, while the whole operation was witnessed bv numbers of townspeople in motor launches, which had followed in the wake of the speed boats. It was after one o'clock before many of the sightseers returned to their ordinary business. * . Mr. E. C. Perano's whale was refloated during' the afternoon, and towed down to the station. The tally for the season at Te Awaite, up to tho present, is: J. A. Perano's party, 12; E. C. Perano's party, 11.