FROM THE AUCKLANDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11910, 18 August 1924, Page 6

FROM THE AUCKLANDS

SEA LIONS AND LEOPARBB FINE ANIMALS BROUGHT FROM COLD REGIONS. WHALEBONE FROM ROSS SEA. On the forward deck of the Governs ment steamer Tutanekai, which returned to Wellington at noon yesterday from a six-weeks’ cruise to southern lighthouses, Campbell, Antipodes, Auckland, and Bounty Islands, are three fine specimens of 6ea lions, and another denizen of the cold regions which is Believed to be a species of sea leopard. The four were captured by the Tutanekai’s crew at the Auckland Islands by the simple means of entangling them in a net and then placing each one in a separate crate. The three sea lions are grey in colour, and appear to he in good condition. Two are on the small side, while the other is full-grown, and looks to be a powerful fellow. The most interesting denizen of the collection is the sea leopard, if such it can be called. It is very bulky, with a massive head, big eyes, and a satin-like coat of a light yellow hue. When the Tutanekai arrived hack at Bluff from the outlying islands, the opinion of Maori residents was sought in regard to the particular species to which this strange denizen belonged, hut the natives in each case, after viewing the creature, stated that they had never seen one of its like before. FOR THE ZOOS.

It is understood that two of the sea lions are for the Wellingthon Zoo, and one for the Auckland Zoo. The other denizen will most likely be located at the Wellington Zoo. It should prove an interesting exhibit. , The Tutanekai also brought hack a shoulder-blade and fin bone of a blue whale. These are the relics of a monster captured in the frozen regions towards the end of last year by the Ross Sea whaling expedition. The lions were landed at the Campbell Islands, when the whaling fleet was on its way to Port Chalmers in March lost. The bones are the property of Commander G. Hooper, who was in southern waters with the Ross Sea expedition as the Government’s representative.