Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), Thursday 29 October 1908, page 2


A NOTATVLIC ICXTTIIjlT.

A whale skeleton which now lies at Okarito, New Zfealnixd, anti which scientists I in Christchurch aro trying to secure for

tho Canterbury Musoum, represents absolutely tho largest boast »ha*, luis 'it-en known to exist in present- or 'ornwr times. Tho whale in lifo was about 85 feet long. There is no authentic account of a larger whale having been seen. Mr. E. It. Waite, curator of tho museum, states that there is no doubt in regurd to thc place the Okarito whale occupies amongst the world's giant mammals, and he points out that the skeleton will be a very notable addition to thc splendid collection in tho museum. Complete whale skeletons aro comparatively rure. Uh-. Stead and his partner, the owners of the Okarito skeleton, have offered it for £400 if it is bought for the Canterbury Museum, but this is much below the price they believe they can get in other countries. The New Zealand public is being asked to subscribe £200 towards the amount required for tho purchase of the unique specimen.