Besides the above specimens, there is a piece of
genesis limestone of a light grey color, and
crystalline texture; but as it was found in a heap
near the old settlement in Rendezvous Harbour,
it is probably a stranger, and must have been
brought by one of the vessels for building pur-
poses.

These observations are made from a hurried in-
spection of such parts of the island as I landed
at. Of course a more minute examination would
have been far more satisfactory.

In concluding my report, I must beg to acnow-
ledge the kindness and courtesy of Captain Greig
in command, and the valuable assistance of Mr.
G. F. Richardson, in obtaining much data con-
cerning these islands.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
John H. Baker,
Chief Surveyor.

His Honor the Superintendent of Southland.

Invercargill, 11th Nov., 1865.

Sir,—I have the honor to report the safe
arrival in New River, of the Steamer Southland,
after having made search in the Auckland Islands
for shipwrecked persons, and found none. An
outline of the incidents of the voyage, I shall
endeavour to give, as follows:—

The Southland, under my command, left New
River on the 14th ultimo, having on board seven-
teen souls, including Dr. Monckton, Mr. Baker
(chief surveyor), and Mr. G. F. Richardson,
reporter for the Press.

After getting into Foveaux Straits, a fresh gale
sprung up from South West, bringing with it a
considerable swell, which caused the vessel to
roll her sponsons under water, and threaten to
wash away the wing-houses placed on them,
which had not been very securely fastened. As
the gale appeared to be increasing I put into
Port Adventure, partly to obtain shelter, and
partly to get the wing-houses and paddle-boxes
better secured.

This last having been accomplished as far as
was practicable, and the gale having eased, we
left Port Adventure at 6 p.m. on the 18th,
passed the South Cape of Stewart’s Island at
10.30 a.m., and on the morning of the 19th passed
within three miles of the Snares.

The weather being clear at the time, we could
have seen any ordinary signal made on these
islands by shipwrecked persons had any been
here. Next day (20th Oct.) the wind fresh-
ed, from W. N. W., with a high sea, thick
haze and rain. The density of the fog prevented
our seeing the land until 4 p.m., and before we
got inshore, the weather thickened again; and as
night was coming on, I preferred to keep clear o
the land, and keep under canvas till morning.

At daybreak on the 21st we steamed closely
round Enderby Island, and into Lawrie Cove, at
the head of Port Ross, closely scanning the sho
re all the way with our glasses. This anchorage is
easy of access, and perfectly safe, being entirely
landlocked; but with westerly winds it is subject
to violent gusts of wind, which come through a
deep gully at the head of it. We remained in this
place until the morning of the 26th and during the
time visited all the shores and bays in the neigh-
bourhood, without meeting in with any traces of
persons who had been recently there. The
weather very much prevented our explorations,
for it blew hard the whole time, with snow and
hail squalls. We disinterred the body found by the
crew of the Flying Scud, and putting it in a
box, buried it in a place near four mounds of
graves, and placed a lead board to it, with an in-
scription painted thereon, stating who had found
the body and by whom it had been buried there.
The opinion of Dr. Monckton, on examining the
skeleton was that it must have been dead at
least twelve months.

The only traces left of cast-away persons were
on Ocean Point, and these must have been some
twelve months old. These were the remains of a
hut, 10 x 12 originally built of small branches
and grass, and near to the hut was a large heap
of limpet shells, which evidently showed the
nature of the food the unfortunates must have
principally subsisted upon.

On an eminence a little to the westward, which
commanded an extensive view of the ocean to the
northward, lay prostrate a resemblance to a cross,
probably put up originally for a signal staff.

On the beach, a little distance from the point,
was the wreck of a small boat, made of small
sticks interlacing each other like wicker work,
and fastened with strips of seal hide. This last-
mentioned material had probably been used for
a covering to the outside of it.

From Ocean Point all along the shore to the place
which had been the head quarters of the settle-
ment, there were evidences of former occupation,
such as remnants of whares and patches of ground
which had been cleared and cultivated, but now
were all overgrown with luxuriant vegetation.

About two miles down the bay, on the south
side, we found an old ship’s boat, square sterned,
about eighteen feet long, entirely weather bleached,
and overgrown with moss inside. No name on it.