THE SHARK MENACE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 4

THE SHARK MENACE.

To the Editor of the “ Tlmaru Herald.” Sir, —In regard to a report which appears in your issue of this morning, pointing out that a shark had been seen in the harbour, might I be permitted to mention an incident that happened six years ago in order to show that the inner harbour is not so free from the shark menace as is generally supposed. The harbourmaster states that a shark has not been noticed in that vicinity for about twelve years. Accompanied by a mate, I was fishing off the beacon staging at the harbour entrance when my attention was drawn to a shark which passed about ten yards out, making straight for one of the coastal vessels, lying at one of the wharves, in anticipation of any stray morsels from the cook’s galley. The creature appeared to be about six or seven feet long, and a particularly dangerous foe for any swimmer to meet. It may be mentioned that although I have fished off the beacon staging many times since, I have never noticed any of tnese denizens of the deep thereabouts. As one never knows when they are likely to come along, I simply mention this fact to put swimmers on their guard.—l am, etc., I. W. T. BAXTER. Temuka, March 6.