PELORUS JACK

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 23

PELORUS JACK

The northern end of the French Pass a narrow strait separating D’Urville Island from the Middle Island of New .Zealand —has for many years past been the home of a large white fish, of some fifteen feet in length. This fish is supposed! to be a member of the Delphinidae or dolphin family, of the species “BeInga leucas.” • This variety is usually foflind in the Arctic seas, andi from information to hand, it would appear that this is the only specimen known in these southern waters. It has, by its rarity and singular habits, become an object of great interest to travellers. E®” lor us Jack” was once fired upon, and wounded, by some vandal, aLer whim he disappeared for a considerable Dme. his supposed decease being widely regrettei'l. He reappeared, however, and was at once taken under the proti cl ing arm of the State, by special “braaetre notice. The writer has endeavoured in the following lines, to faithfully describe its peculiar habits- — A clear and heanteous scene around us lay, • Decked with a.ll the lustre of a summer s day; The blue Pacific calmly lay .at rest, Stretching m countless leagues towards the west: - . , So peaceful is the hour, yet bright and fair, ' It seems to banish from our hearts dud care, While eastward bound our good ship ploughs its way. And nears the channel that before us lay A narrow pass presents itself ahead, Which makes us slacken sneed, and Heave the lead; While crew, and passengers alike, appear To view, with eager eyes, and some with fear. The sheer and frowning cliffs, the vapid pace At which the waters heaving, swirling, race. Long centuries have rolled their time away Since the first heaving wave and dashing spray _ Commenced to cleave an opening through the land, _ That once did serve to join both isle ana strand: Now. where the rushing waters meet and clash. And tumble o'er and o’er with many a sp’asii, And where the many seabirds love to ride With charming grace, upon the flowing tide. With care, and skill, born of a usage long, The .ship is steered through the ourreof strong; ’And soon we leave behind the beacons white. That mark the narrow course by day 01 night. We gladden to behold so rare a scene— Below, so troubled, yet above serene. We’ve heard it said that in these very seas, A finny monster of the deep doth please To act as pilot to each passing ship, And speed along so swift as to outstrip The fastest vessel, yet;, that man has made, Incredible it seems, but so Tis said. Will one short hour this mystery unfold And prove to us the truth of what’s been told? In days of yore the travellers by this way, With high-pitched voices, and with much display, Would tell of how this inlet truly teems With all the ugly monsters seen in dreams; That mermen, and sea serpents, and the like, Into each trembling heart would terror strike. Now. we, of later times, share no such fears — Which fancy, over-wrought, so often rears — Bub treasure up with feelings of delight The time when we shall see so strange a sight, And make acquaintance with one whom proud fame Has favoured so—“Pelorus Jack” by name, By law protected, and by common decree Proclaimed the rightful monarch of this sea. “Here comes Jack” is the cry we hear now, And there we see, right on our starboard bow, A silvery- streak t comes bounding on to meet us, _ „ , , , , And soon with wondrous speed he s here to greet ns; - • A striking sight, as o’er the waves he glides, /' . The sunlight sparkling on his shiny sides.

, Tis sport for kings to see the merry ■ way •. -• '■ ' «••• This creature of the briny deep doth play; Now bounding o'er the gay and free, - , Or plunging deep beneath. iho, pathless .geai

With many a frolic doth lie gamble round, As make it seem as though the waves abound 1 With many frisky monsters, each one bent To entertain us to our hearts’ content.

Now hard against the steamer’s how. Jack lays, And for a time his many pranks he stays, As though a fond affection he did feel For the cold metal of the vessel’s keel. But some, devoid of sentiment, assert He’s parting with some parasites that hurt.

True to the vessel’s course ho leads the way, Until we near a point that south warn lay; At this, the utmost limit of his run, As though full conscious that liis task was done, Nor waiting for otur thanks' or fond adieu, With a bold plunge lie quickly sinks from view.

And thus, throughout the lapse of many years, Unto each passing vessel he appears, With ne’er a mate to share liis joys or woes; Who knows, but in his veins the warm bleed flows, That he a goodly purpose doth fulfil In his own novel way ; bo as it will, We know our thoughts will often wander back With kindly feelings for Pelopus Jack. -—A. Leigh Hunt. Wellington, Jan. 20, 190-1.