The Waikato Saurian Monster.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6363, 8 November 1887, Page 2

The Waikato Saurian Monster.

Some months ago the Auckland papers wore full of accounts of a mysterious monster that cleared carcasses out of slaughter houses, chased children, left peculiar tracks iv the mud, eto:, but for somo time there had boon no mention of it. It appears now however that the stranger has boon caught, and shot. We take the following account of its capture from a letter of a Hamilton correspondent to the Auokland Star :— lt appears that a native, whilst fishing in his canoe just off the South Spit of tho Raglan Havbour on Friday, observed, on looking towards tho shore, ft largo animal, apparently slumboring on tho beach He immediately gave the alarm, and the natives assembled in numbers on tho beach with guns. The monster, on being approached, opened its mouth grunting, barking and snapping its ugly jaws Rivwiri fired at its head and hit him, the bullet taking no effect. Another native then fired and wounded him in the side. Upon approaching it, the animal put its arnia, wings or flappers in front of its hoad ns a mode of defence.but being severely wounded could offer no resistance: A rope was then fastened round its neck. About a dozen Maoris took it in tow to tho Raglan Wharf, on to which it was landod by means ofacrano. After being killed it was found to be 11 foet in length, and six feet in orrcumference. It has two large arms or flappors. Ita tail consisted of two large propellors opening out like tho web-foot of a duok. It was covered with a fine fur, and had no cars, bnt oponings in its skin. It hnd 1G teeth in each jaw, four of them being lite talcs. Tho hoad has beon preserved. It is supposed to bo a sea elephant. Tho skin is also preserved. It weighs between 6 and 7 owt, Tho N.Z. Herald's correspondent on Monday last wired as follows :— The Eaglan mail carrier, who arrived to-day, describes tho Bauriim monster shot oiiMdayaa being much larger than any seal, with different tooth, nnd a mouth that could swallow a man. It roared liko a bull whon shot, and could bo heard for a long distance The native policoman, Bawiri, who shot it, asks ' £20 for tho skin, head, and legs which are prepared for stuffing.