BATHERS AND SHARKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 81, 5 April 1930, Page 16

BATHERS AND SHARKS

POSITION AT WAIHI BEACH. MAORI YOUTH’S ADVENTURE A report of the presence of sharks “beyond the line of breakers” at Waihi Beach has occasioned nervousness to bathers who now flock regularly to this fine stretch of surf from all parts of the province. It is stated however, that on the occasion under review the sharks, which were seen from an aeroplane, were disporting themselves off Harley’s Point, which is more than seven miles from the beach settlement, of the portion most popular with bathers. While he was fishing off Harley’s Point recently a Maori youth armed with a harpoon made a good but unsuccessful attempt from the rocks mn the inner side of the headland to capture & shark estimated to be about Bft. long. V The youth managed to plant the head of the harpoon in the body of the shark, but the shaft broke, and the boy lost his footing and fell into the sea. The terrified would be captor scrambled back to the rocks while the shark, with the remains of the harpoon still in it, made out to sea. It was reported recently that Major C. H. C. Cowper, when flying in a Moth aeroplane in the vicinity _ 0 Waihi Beach, on looking down into the sea counted no fewer than -J sharks within a chain of the beach. He was flying over a point between lowZntowA and the Waihi Beach settlement at the time, and he dropped down to within 20ft. of the water to obtain a better view.