CAPTURE OF A WHALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 918, 3 July 1869, Page 8

CAPTURE OF A WHALE.

About three weeks ago a whaling company was started at Otago Heads, the plant con* mating of two whale boats and gear, one to be stationed at Waikouaiti and .the other afe the Heads, both being manned by Maoris nnder the leadership of George Robertson, a half caste. The conditions of association were that each boat should proceed to sea every morning under a certain penalty on «Ach of the crew, who all work on sharea. Communication is kept up by signals by day and fires by night. The company being thus started, it is gratifying to learn that their enterprise has been rewarded in the o»ptnre of a large whale. The whale and her calf, the latter about a week old, were observed off Waikouaiti South Head, at noon on Friday, both ap. parently playing in the water. .Chase waa immediately given by both boats, and after a smart row, one of the boats sue* ceeded in fastening to the cow, which was afterwards lanced and killed m the short space of two hours, when it was towed under the North Head of Waikouaiti, and moored. One of the boats was then despatched to Port Chalmers, and engaged the services of the tug Geelong to tow th» whale thither. TheGeelong proceeded to Waikouaiti at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and towed the whale as far as the Maori Kaik, where the company determined on keeping it untu this morning, when it will be towed up and placed in the Floating Dock for exhibition. Messrs Murray and Co. have made arrangenients to take it in and pump the water out, so that a fine view may be, had of all parts of this monster of the deep, which is estimated to be 50 feet long, and 25 feet from fin to fin. While oapturraß on the whale, an exoiting scene occurred board one of the boats, which was attacked and had her bows .stove in by the calf. One of the Maoris, in fright, jumped overboard, but was smartly caught by Robert, son, by the hair of the head, and in this position towed for six minutes before it was possible to take him on board. The calf was lanced, but got away. It is, however, supposed that it will yet be caught. On the return of the Geelong from Waikouaiti, sho was followed by a large shoal of porpoises, whioh evidently wanted a feast on the dead monster— their gambols were the admirationof all on board. One rashly ventured within reach of Robertson's harpoon, and was captured ; it will also be exhibited. The oxonrsion, if it maybe so termed, to and from Waikouaiti, was heartily enjoyed by those who aooomoanied the Geelong on her trip. It is calculated that ten tons of oil will be got out of the whale.

Particulars regarding the late earthquake are coming in from the "country dtatriots. At Tokomairiro, according to tho Bruoe Standard, the direction of tho motion wm from south-west to north-east. It was mow or less experienced by nearly everyone in the township. Tn some plaowit was rather alarming. Mr Donaldson, who resides in the Manse, near Fairfax, says that the building creaked a good deal, andabuoket of water on the floorof the kitchen wat nearly upset, wbilo stirrup irons liung on tho «de of the wall wow swaying about J^Jtowmdotam of a olook. A correspondent in tho raiori writes to the samo journal that the ©arth. quake was sensibly felt thero a* exactly the Yametttnc, Tii.. 11.20 a.m. At Uwwnco. the Tuapeka Times state* that • «li«hj ! shook wm oxperi«o«d about 1 1.15. Tb* motion was from a northerly fa «^thorly direction. In Mr Harris's itore, tho bucket*, ibilliet, &0., suspeaded. from tho roof,, wow swayed violently to an 4 fro, and a mail* oornmotion was observed amonatho saddlery I in the shop of Mewrs Low and Boa*.