THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 377

rabbits for the purpose of increasing their number, to
relieve shipwrecked people. Some goats have also
been landed here and vegetables and trees planted
near the marked tree for the same purpose; and this
humane service having been performed by order of
the Governments of Victoria, New South Wales, and
Queensland, it is requested any visitors to these
shores will give every aid in their power to secure
this benevolent object, and not allow the animals and
plants to be exterminated or destroyed.
"W. H. Norman, Commander."

Before leaving this place we planted about a cwt.
of potatoes and sowed some carrot and turnip seed
in ground which we dug up for that purpose, and at
another point landed a dozen of domestic fowls.

We left a memorandum of our visit cut out on a
board which we nailed to a tree near to the
"Victoria's," and deposited a bottle enclosing a letter
stating the object of our visit, by whom it had been
ordered, and the manner we intended to prosecute
further our search. Wherever any of our party went
the grass was set fire to, and the smoke of these fires
might occasionally be seen rising from the tops of the
adjacent hills, and on one occasion from the top of
Mount Eden, 1325 feet above the sea level, so that
before leaving we dispelled any remaining doubt
we previously had that living persons might still be
existing there.

Feeling that nothing of service could be effected
by remaining longer at that place, we got under
weigh on the morning of the 26th. The wind at the
time had just shifted round to north-west with rain,
barometer 29.40 falling. We passed between Rose
Island and the main, examining the shore as we
went along, the whale-boat leading the way about a
quarter of a mile ahead with the mate sounding. In
this way we passed inside of Briscoe Reef, or rather
through a passage about a mile and a half from the
shore and about a quarter of a mile wide, a long
ground swell from the south-east breaking high on
the reef on either side of us. The tide being against
us we were obliged to keep considerable way on the
vessel, and could only use ten fathoms of line in
sounding, but at that depth found no bottom.

We went into the first bay we came to which was
about six miles from Briscoe Reef. It forms three
bays which induced us to name it Triple Bay.

Seeing nothing there we went into the next inlet,
about three miles further on. The entrance to it is
about three-quarters of a mile wide and the inlet
runs up about three miles. Finding at the head of
it safe anchorage I chose to remain there all night, as
I apprehended a gale coming from the south-east.

After anchoring the barometer fell to 28.90, and at
9 p.m., the wind suddenly chopped into south-east
and blew a hurricane. The vessel was however well
moored with two anchors out towards the middle of
the inlet, and two hausers from the bow to the shore,
and rode safely in smooth water.

The following day (Friday, the 27th,) we examined
all the shores of this bay without meeting with any-
thing we searched for. On the morning of the 28th,
the barometer having risen to 29.40, the wind having
veered round to west-south-west and the swell
outside being considerably down, we got under weigh.

This day we did not land with the boat, but stood
into all the bays on the East Coast till we came to
Carnley's Harbour. Each bay we came to we stood
up to the head of, and so near to the land that we
could have easily discerned so small an object as an
oar lying on the beach. These bays or inlets we
named in the following order as we entered them,
beginning from Long Inlet, where we got under
way: Long Inlet, Saddle-hill Bay, Seal Inlet, Cascade
Inlet, Open Inlet, Basin Bay, and Smoke Bay. At
the head of Cascade Inlet and Saddle-hill Bay, a
vessel could safely anchor in from twelve to six
fathoms and be entirely land-locked. The place we
named Smoke Bay was close to the place where the
crew of the "Flying Scud," thought they saw smoke
rise from. I was therefore more particular in
examining the shores of it, and this I did with such
minuteness that I could discern by the aid of my
glass the individual pebbles on the beach, but saw
not even a broken branch or any trace giving
evidence that human life had ever existed there.

On reaching Carnley's Harbour, we anchored in the
place named by Captain Musgrave, Camp Cove. We
remained in this snug spot safely moored head and
stern until the morning of the 6th instant, and
during the time visited with the whale-boat all the
shores we were able to reach on either side of us,
but our operations were very much limited by the
tate of the weather, which was one continued gales
from the westward, with snow, hail, and rain squalls.

On one occasion we were two days absent from the
vessel, the gale having increased so as to render im-
practicable our return. On our visit to the hut
constructed by the crew of the "Grafton," we again
discovered a bottle containing a letter left by the
"Victoria." I wrote on the back of the letter a
notice of the "Southland's" visit to that part, and
also that we (which we did) had planted potatoes
there and on Musgrave's Peninsula, had sowed carrot
and turnip seed and landed goats, and also, at Camp
Cove, landed domestic fowls. Replacing the letter in
the bottle, I left it as I found it.

In this place we adopted our former plan of
making fires wherever any of our party went. On
some occasions these could have been seen from a
distance of many miles like bush fires.

On Monday, the 6th instant, we got under weigh
at daylight, and during the day steamed up to the
head of all the arms of the harbour, and, as formerly,
fired guns to attract attention; but without any
practicable result. Being therefore satisfied that
nothing further could be done there, we anchored
again at Camp Cove for the night.

Tuesday, the 7th, we got under weigh again at
daylight, and proceeded to sea through the passage
we came in by (the eastern one), and went closely
round the south side of Adams' Island, and along the
west side of the Auckland Group. In going along
shore I was unable to keep so close in as I would
have wished. There was a heavy swell rolling in
upon the shore, accompanied by a fresh breeze, and I
therefore kept at between three and four miles dis-
tance all the way along. The tops of the hills were
obscured by the haze; but the lower part of the
shore was distinctly visible, unless during an occa-
sional squall, which would only last from five to ten
minutes. At 4 p.m. we got to the north end, and
shortly afterwards passed Enderby Island. The wind
then moderated, but the swell retarded our progress,
so that we did not get up to the Snares before 4 p.m.
the following day. I may here remark that I found
no current setting to the eastward as mentioned by
Captain Musgrave on his first landing here, for the
vessel (the "Southland") came in upon the spot she
was steered for, both going and coming.

At daylight, on the 9th instant, we were off Stewart
Island, and came up to the wharf here the same
afternoon.

I have, &c.,
S. B. GREIG.

To His Honor the Superintendent.

Members of Provincial Council, Nelson, elected.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 5th December, 1865.

IT is hereby notified that writs, issued for the Elec-
tion of Members of the Provincial Council of