THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 393

up steam, so as to insure sighting the Bountys
before dark, as their position was uncertain.
We made them at 3.15 p.m., bearing N.E. by
E.E. on the same day, and hove to at sunset, trying
for soundings at 110 fathoms, the centre of the islands
bearing N.E. by E.E. about twelve miles.

At daylight, stood in for the islands under steam;
wind light, with heavy ocean swell from the southward.
Fired guns at intervals to attract attention, but on
approaching nearer to them I soon saw how hopeless
was our chance of finding any traces of the missing
ship "Matoaka," for these rocky islets are perfectly
barren, destitute of any covering, and exposed on
every side to the fury of the sea, which breaks heavily
and incessantly upon them. Even during the com-
paratively calm forenoon we experienced, the sea was
observed to dash completely over many of them,
sending clouds of spray over nearly the highest.
There was a blow-hole in one of the Western islets
through which the water and spray was forced
upwards of 300 feet high.

This dangerous group of rocks extend 3 miles
East and West, and about 1 mile North and South,
about twenty in number (counting large and small),
and divided into two clusters with apparently a clear
passage between them. Landing was quite impracti-
cable, and I doubt if, even in the calmest summer day,
a footing could be obtained.

At 8.30 a.m. x islet N.E. by E. from two to
three miles, sounded in 87 fathoms, white sand and
pebble. Observed a sunken rock S.S.E. breaking
heavily. Altered course and stood out. At 9.30
a.m. sounded in 98 fathoms, white sand and shells,
the centre of the islets bearing N.E. by E.E. 4
miles.

When the peak of Eastern islet bore N.E.E., a
base of 3.2 miles E. by N. was run with the patent
log, until the same peak bore N.N.W. W., and the
usual angles for distance and height being taken, we
found the ship 22 miles from it, in 84 fathoms,
yellow sand and shell. Height of peak being 280
feet (sketches taken).

The sunken rock observed breaking to the south-
ward bears S.W. from the Western islet, and
S.W. S. from the Eastern one, and about three miles
from the main group. We also observed the breakers
reported by Captain Norman, of the Colonial steamer
"Victoria," in November, 1865, from three to four
miles to the westward.

Since leaving Auckland we were fortunate in
obtaining good observations every forenoon, noon,
and afternoon, and were consequently enabled to
determine accurately the position of these dangerous
rocks, namely, latitude 47° 46′ 24″ S., longitude 178°
56' 45" E. Highest islet (easternmost one), 280 feet.

At noon, having brought up bottom, I took posses-
sion of them in the name of Her Most Gracious
Majesty, hoisting the colours, and reading a procla-
mation to the officers and ship's company to that
effect, and declared them duly annexed to Her
Majesty's Colony of New Zealand.

Steamed round to leeward, and at 12.30 p.m. got
soundings at 89 fathoms, white sand and shell, the
Eastern islet bearing S.W.S. 2 miles. At 1.15
p.m. sounded again in 93 fathoms, water-worn granite
and shells, the x of islets bearing S.E. S. and
the x South.

Owing to the geographical position of these islets,
I was by no means surprised when no traces of the
guano deposits said to exist here were observed, and
it was noticeable that an extremely small number of
sea birds were to be seen, either on the rocks or
flying about.

Two large schools of black fish were seen in the
immediate neighbourhood of the islets, together with
large patches of kelp.

At 1.20 p.m. shaped a course for Cape Campbell,
and lost sight of the Bountys at 4.30 p.m. On the
10th, at 8.30 a.m., a S.W. gale springing up, I made
sail, and at 9 p.m. on the 11th sighted Pencarrow
Light, and anchored in Port Nicholson at 1 a.m. on
the 12th July.

I have, &c.,
GEO. PALMER,
Captain.

Commodore Rowley Lambert, C.B., A.D.C.,
Senior Officer, H.M.S. "Challenger."

PROCLAMATION.

I, GEORGE PALMER, Captain in Her Britannic
Majesty's Navy, and at present commanding Her
Majesty's Ship "Rosario," do hereby make known to
all whom it may concern, that by virtue of an order
from Commodore Rowley Lambert, C.B., A.D.C.,
commanding Her Majesty's Ships in these seas, I
have this day taken possession of the Bounty Islands,
in the name and on behalf of Her Most Gracious
Majesty Victoria, by the grace of God, of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen,
Defender of the Faith, &c., and I do hereby declare
the said Bounty Islands to be annexed to Her
Majesty's Colony of New Zealand.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

Given under my hand, this ninth day of
July, one thousand eight hundred and
seventy, off the Bounty Islands.

GEO. PALMER,
Captain of H.M.S. "Rosario.”

H.M.S. "Challenger,"
Wellington, 4th August, 1870.

SIR, I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency
that H.M.S. "Blanche" arrived at Wellington
yesterday evening from the Auckland Islands, where
she had been to look for supposed castaways.
Captain Montgomerie states in his report that no
signs of castaways were discovered, but the schooner
"Daphne" was met, having gone from the Bluff with
an expedition formed under the auspices of the New
Zealand Government, to search for a whale-boat and
six persons (including the master and mate) who left
the "Daphne" at Port Ross on the 19th May, to
inspect the site of the wreck of the "General Grant,"
with the view of endeavouring at some period to
recover the gold lost in that ship. The boat, not in
good condition, left with four days' provisions for the
six men, and has not since been heard of.

On the 23rd July, Captain Montgomerie received
on board the "Blanche," from the schooner "Daphne,"
Mr. Thompson (Harbour Master of the Bluff), Mr.
Gilroy (the late master of the brig "Amherst"), Mr.
Maclure (a medical gentleman), one whale-boat and
her crew, -stood towards the coast to the northward
of the spot where the "General Grant" was lost,
and stopped within half a mile of the actual spot, in
eighty-five fathoms water. From the "Blanche" any
portion of a boat or oar could have been distinguished,
but not a vestige of either was seen. The only spot a
human being could have found resting to stand upon,
was about a cable north of the scene of the wreck,
but there was not a vestige of anything like a cave,
as represented in accounts of the loss of the said ship;
the coast showing a continuous wall of precipitous
cliffs, without any break up which a man could
ascend, unless assisted from the summit of the cliff.

During the stay of the "Blanche" at the Auckland
Islands, a gun was fired every night as a signal to
any unfortunates that might be on the Island in the
neighbourhood of the ship; fires were made almost
every day; and when the boats were away, fires were
made at each place they landed.