OCEAN WANDERER TREATED WITH RESPECT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 47, 18 May 1927, Page 3

OCEAN WANDERER TREATED WITH RESPECT

KAIPARA’S ALBATROSS

'JJ'P on the Kaipara Harbour they must have heard about the Ancient Mariner. For about a fortnight an injured or exhausted albatross was floating about on the expanse of waters. Its presence was known to fishermen and nautioal men, but they treated the bird with the utmost consideration, and it finally departed. albatross was first discovered at Bailey’s Coast, a seaside resort seven miles from Dargaville. It was captured and taken to Dargaville, where it was an object of great curiosity. The wing-spread was 9ft., but when the bird was liberated on the Wairoa River it could not rise from the water, and did not fly away. In the next few days it was seen several times from the Kaipara Harbour steamers, and one of the steamer hands again captured it. The bird was Inclined to be resentful, and those who handled it had to be careful of its powerful bill and wings. Perhaps mindful of the fate that awaits mariners who harm an albatross, they made no attempt to retaliate, but restored it to the bosom of the waters, whence it now seems io have departed to resume its airy beat over the wide Pacific.