THE LURE OF THE MOTOR

Te Ao Hou, July 1958, Page 23

THE LURE OF THE MOTOR Opo had a real weakness for the sound of an outboard motor. Many times I have gone to watch the people playing on the beach with Opo. I would be about a quarter of a mile away with the motor idling when I would hear “Oh” from her admirers on the beach. Next thing I would see Opo coming towards me. Many times I have rowed away from Opononi, started my motor only to find Opo had left her admirers and was following my boat, but I always returned her to

the beach and then by rowing a long way off before starting my motor I could leave her to her friends. I have seen her following a boat which had its motor going full speed, yet she could overtake it without the least effort. Many times when she overtook a boat she would leap clean out of the water. She would hit the water and, still at top speed, keep on swimming round and round the boat. One of the funniest sights I have seen was the crowd of amateur and press photographers trying to take a snap of Opo from a boat. Opo would surface on one side of the boat. By the time the cameras were focussed on the spot Opo had dived out of sight. They would wait for her to appear in the same place. Instead, she would appear in a totally different place. All hands would train their cameras on her but before a snap could be taken she would disappear again. This could go on for a quarter of an hour or more. When Opo seemed to tire of her teasing ways then she would give a good pose for a perfect snap. People came to Opononi from many parts of the country, arriving in the morning and waiting for Opo to appear. She was nearly always handy cruising around nearby. If an outboard boat was conveniently near, the owner was only too willing to go and get her. Once she heard the motor she followed just like a dog, playing or cruising round the boat. As soon as she arrived people swarmed to the wharf and the beach, taking snaps, marvelling or just enjoying themselves watching her. In fact I have felt sorry for her as she never seemed to have the time to feed during the day. If she had an urge to wander, an outboard had only to be started and she would return to her admirers again. Some people got so excited when they saw Opo that they went into the water fully clothed just to touch her. One chap was heard to say. “I didn't believe what I'd heard. Now I've seen Opo I still don't believe what I've seen!” Such was her popularity that I have seen the same people come weekend after weekend with their families to enjoy and marvel.