CAPTURE OF A WHALE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 944, 7 November 1879, Page 2

CAPTURE OF A WHALE.

While bathers were enjoying a plunge and disporting themselves m the breakers on the beach this morning, a rumor was spread that a huge shark had been stranded a little above where the cutter Clara lies, and immediately there was a scampering off m that direction with the view of securing and destroying the monster, before it could effect its escape into the briny deep, which it certainly would have done, as the tide was rapidly rising. Mr. Colman was the first to observe it, and gave the alarm, and Messrs. Helps, Pram, and McKay, were the earliest on the scene of action. On closer inspection instead of a shark, as was at first supposed, it was ascertained to be a bottle-nosed whale, about fifteen feet m length. Struggling with all the energy of despair, m order to extricate itself, and once more to be launched m its native element, it lashed the water round into foam, and occasionally discharged jets of spray from its blow pipe. It would no doubt have succeeded m escaping had it not been for some horsemen who were passing, from whom lines were procured. These were at no inconsiderable risk, fastened to its tail by Mr. Helps, and by dint of great exertion and hauling of all the hands who were there, the whale was landed above high water mark. The captors intend exhibiting this extraordinary fish m Townley's Hall this evening and to-morrow, the charge of admission being sixpence, and afterwards to render the blubber which is expected to yield a handsome return.