A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT.
A telegram from Auckland says that the midday trip of the p.s. Tainui from Auckland to Devonport on Saturday was marked by a rather sensational incident. When the steamer was half-way across the harbour a man hamded some letters and papers to the captain and turned and walked over the top of the paddle-box, falling into the water. A life belt was thrown to him, but the wind and tide carried it beyond his reach. A boat was lowered, however, and the man was rescued. In explanation, he. said that he thought that the steamer was alongside the wharf. When the steamer reached Devonport he went ashore, and nothing more was seen of him. EELS SPAWNING IN FRESH WATER. Proof that eels do not always go to sea to spawn has been found by Mr W. J. Hamill, of Folly Farm, Gorge Road, who has given the particulars to the " Southland Times." Some time ago his children noticed a peculiar white deposit upon the branches of scrub, a few inches under the surface of the water of " a lagoon near his house. They observed it spreading from day to day, and told their parents about it. The young folks became greatly interested in the matter, and watched the place in hopes of discovering the cause. Their scientific ardour was very soon rewarded, for they saw the eel, or eels, quite plainly gliding about among the twigs, the deposit being left thereon as the fish passed slowly over. Mr Hamill brought a glass jar to the "Southland Times" office on Tuesday containing a quantity of the ova stripped off the branches. The semi-trans-parent, glutinous mass had partly hashed out, as hundreds of the tiny creatures, like a morsel of very fine thread, were to be seen wriggling about all through it. In a phial Mr Hamill had a few of the fry in a more advanced stage of development. These were about two inches long, and as thick as a good strong darning needle. They had got quite clear of the white matter, and sought the sand at the bottom of the vessel for shelter when disturbed.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18991120.2.70
Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 6647, 20 November 1899, Page 4
Word Count
359A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT. Star (Christchurch), Issue 6647, 20 November 1899, Page 4
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.