The Washington herald., 1913-08-17
'sPslsrus Jaek," cslebsatsd
White Fish Whiek Aets =
Guide for Ships \ Csek
Strait, Near New zsaland, !,
Fanliar to Skipper.

| Every Asaleyer in New Zealand 10 told
the story Of the famous white dolphin
which for neariy half q century has
shown . friendly interest in passing
steamships and with unfaiiing regularity
and devotion pilots them ON their way
through Cook Strait to French Pass
This sounds like . fairy tale. says the
London Chronicle. but ''Pelorus Jack" as
| the dolphin il called, has been honored by
an order in council passed especially for
his protection. and he 10 known to the
skipper Of every coasting steamer in the
New Zealand waters. The logbooks Of
British seamen have recorded his history
ut least as far back n forty odd years.
but the Maoris afirm that old ''Kai Kala-
waro." a. they call him. was alive more
than 100 years ago. when he guided their
ancestors to safe waters and befriended
them in tilne Of need. There II at the
present day an old Maori chief who
claims the dolphin a. the god Of his own
family, and who tells many wonderful
tales which have gathered about this
| friendly creature in Maori tradition. A
little book. summing up those interesting
/ facts and folk lore. has Just been pub
lished. Jack" IL always looked for In
Cook strait az the chetwode islets are
approached.
Here II comss-' il the cry as the pilot
nsh Of Pelorus Sound comes darttne
through the waves eager to meet his old
steamship friend. showing his long sharp
curved dorsal in, and sometimes leaning
like q porpoise right out Of the water. a.
| II in sheer Joy. He makes straight for
the steamers bows, and round about and
under the bows he plays sometimes fash
ing ahead 10 swiftly that the eye can
A~rr ~
crowd the forecastie head. and those
who have cameras take more or less sue
cessful snaps" Of the fish. For several
miles the white dolphin accompanies the
steamer as she heads toward the French
Pass. swimming along with her a. IL 10th
to leave her. on Clay Point or Ana Toto
(the Gave OF Blood'O. q conspicuous
headland on the western side Of the en-
trance to PeIorus Sound. he parts from
his big friend and darts away. homeward
bound.
According to the Maoris, Jack lives In
a cave Just at the entrance to the sound.
and he seldom goes many miles away
from home unless pressed for food sup
rIies, which consist chiefly Of the cutie
fish. or octopus. One theory to explain
the dolphin's fondness for the company
Of steamships is that he feeds upon the
octopi and squid which are frequently
caught on the vesselI bows a. they 90
swiftly through the water.
Jack Always On watch.
Even darkness, we are told. does not
keep Jack" at home. He seems to be
continually on the watch Steamers
from Picton to Nelson passing the
mouth Of Pelorus Sound, ON the right.
are usually Joined by the big white
fsh. and many a passenger who has
left orders to be called whenever Jack"
appears is reused out Of his bunk In
the midnight hours to see the finny pilot
of the strait swimming quietly but swift
ly along in Q simmer Of phosphores-
cence or plunging ahead like one Of the
sea creatures in The Kline OF the An
cient Mariner whose every track was
Q Hash OF golden IRE"
Mr.. Cowan. the author OF the booklet.
says that whether Jack meets and
frolics around the coastal veassls out Of
mere playfulness or whether Ne 10 actu-
ated by the mere matter Of fact motive
| Of seeking his daily bread around the
| steamers cutwater II an Interesting
question still open for solution. Prob