The Sea Serpent Out of Season.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XXI, 25 May 1901, Page 966

The Sea Serpent Out of Season.

Our sense of the eternal fitness of things has been somewhat rudely disturbed by the appearance of our dear old friend the sea serpent out of season. The submarine leviathan has usually proved a discreet creature of the “hope I don't intrude style,” who has considerately “bobbed up serenely from below” in the height of the summer season, when it is too hot for newspaper reporters to collect much news, and when therefore, but for his considerate habit, it would be difficult to fill the columns of the daily papers. But now, lo and behold, here he is, and no further off than off the coast of Gippsland, in the middle of winter; and when the papers are simply glutted with items of news of the most enthralling interest concerning the Royal tour. It must be confessed this • conduct is not what one expected from a monster who has hitherto been so urbane and considerate. The fact that he fastened his teeth in the boat of the fisherman who chronicles his latest appearance, and lashed up the water for sixty yards ere he disappeared, is a minor delinquency. We would indeed Eave pardoned him if he had gone further and swallowed the lot, for even oeamonsters must have occasional fits of illtemper, and a little diversion of this sort will not infrequently allay it, and perhaps prevent more serious consequences. Where serious fault is to be found is in any public appearance at

all in Australian waters when these are hallowed so to say by the presence of a Royal yacht. Perhaps the misguided plesiosaurus even hoped to appear in front ol the Royal party, and

to attract the attention of the Duke to his existence. It would not—though the fact is not generally remembered—be the first time he has attempted such a feat, and if one may. be allowed an eloquent vulgarism—“fallen in.” Lieutenant Hayne, of the Royal yacht Osborne, saw him in 1877, and sent long—literally—accounts of him to the illustrated press. He then showed 30 feet of his length, with ridges 6 to 8 feet high showing above the water, and glared at the Royal yacht from “an enormous round head, with huge turtle like flippers.” Those interested may find the account in the “Graphic” (English) of June 30, 1877, where they will also learn that the attempt to attract the attention of Royalty was on that occasion also a failure, for the Queen was not on board. But we give the sea serpent warning. Let him stop over in Gippsland waters. We do not ’want him on our coasts. At least not at present. I think, indeed, considering the other precautions wc nre taking that it would not be amiss to have a notice in fishy language posted below high water mark, at say Cape Maria Van Dieman :“Any sea serpent found Trespassing in these waters will be prosecuted. By order, King Dick.” It would at all events be as reasonable and as desirable as some autocratic orders we wot of in connection with the visit. O O O O O