Gold From Tonga’S Sea

THE Cook family, which has carried on sporadic whaling for a great many years in Nukua lofa, Tonga, had a windfall in August, when three whales were taken. The whalers used only an open surf boat, with oars and sail, and an old-fashioned harpoon.

Unlike other Pacific whaling en terprises,, the whales caught by the Cook family are not used for oil, but to augment the Nukualofa

meat supply.

Taken within sight of Nukualofa wharf at intervals during the month, each whale was towed ashore near the town, and sold in pieces to eager customers. Each whale brought from £3OO to £5OO before it became too ripe for the removal of further steaks.

Then each was towed across the lagoon to a reef, and used as shark bait. The sharks so caught were then sold at excellent prices.