52

we or had been living on the island, and feeling
satisfied that had there been any castaways present
we must have seen them, or traces of them,
we returned to our boat. The other party joined
us with a like report.

Before leaving we erected on the rocks at the
point a large pole 16 feet long, on
which are secured two bottles; one con-
taining a letter notifying our visit, and
for what purpose. The other filled with
matches (well wrapped up in flannel), fish-hooks,
a knife, and some dressed flax. Taking a
look round, we recognised the immediate necessity
for our departure, the mutton-birds darkening
the sky in their flight, banging down on the
ground in thousands in a most absurd and reck-
less manner, inflicting severe buffets on the heads
of several of us. We rejoined the brig and
hoisting the boat up, stood away to the S.W.

The Snares are let. 48deg. 6min. S., long.
166deg. 45min. E., and under this name comprise
two islands, a large reef to the N.W. of the
Main, three and a-half miles distant, and several
outlying rocks. The small island (half-a-mile
long), is separated from the main on the east side
by a very narrow passage. The larger island I
take to be about four miles in circumference.
Greatest elevation, 600 feet. Coast line very
bold. It is almost entirely covered with scrub
and trees of stunted growth. The Tupari, Ake-
ake, and Kokomuka. Of M’Quarrie cabbage, there
is abundance, and of fine growth, some of the
leaves measuring two feet in diameter. Patches
clear of scrub are clothed with the lutaki tussock.
The soil is peaty and well mingled with guano,
and very moist. What rocks I saw were of the
felspathic group. We found no water at all
palatable, some I drank being quite brackish, but
the birds would render the best undrinkable.
Those who trade in mutton-birds, would find a
visit to these islands in March or April, prove
remunerative.

On the South, a change of wind enabled us to
make our course for the Aucklands, which islands
we sighted at 2 p.m. the next day, right a-head,
not having experienced any easterly current.
Stretching at Port Ross, we dropped an-
chor at 6.30 p.m., abreast of the Victoria’s
signal tree, an old gnarled iron-wood trunk. I
benefited by the experience of others, or else my
attention would not have been drawn to it, sur-
rounded as it is on all sides by dead stumps.
The day following (Saturday), we formed the
first depot on Enderby’s Island in the hut nearest
the beach (occupied by Teer and four others.)
This hut is in capital repair, and only required a
little extra fastening to the thatch, which was
given to it. The case No. 1, containing clothing,
blankets, compass, matches, tools, &c., was
placed in a good position, and on it I wrote -
"The curse of the widow and fatherless light
upon the man who breaks open this box, whilst
he has a ship at his back." A spade was left
with the case. A bottle suspended over it con-
tains a letter of which I give a copy, it being
similar in its contents to those left at the other
depots.

Enderby Island, Feb. 1st, 1863.

"Brig Amherst (Captain Gilroy) chartered by
the Government of Southland for the purpose of
forming depots of necessaries for castaways on
the Auckland and Campbell Islands, and of
searching on these, the Antipodes, and Bounty
Islands for survivors from wrecks. They have
been left here to day, by order of the Government
of Southland, a case (hermetically sealed) con-
taining absolute necessaries for the use of
castaways. I need not add exclusively for their
use, for surely no one with a ship at his back
will have so little respect for his manhood as to
take aught of what is contained in this box.
Three similar depots will be made in other parts
of the island. One at Port Ross, one at the
head of Saddle Hill Inlet (third bay south from
this), and another in Carnley Harbor (the
Straits). Those who may come after, I will ask,
in the name of suffering humanity, to see that
the cases are preserved from injury, and that the
landmarks remain firm in their places. Should
the lettering on the boards be indistinct, pray
renew with paint. Two woodhens (wingless
species) of opposite sexes have been turned into
the scrub. These birds should not be molested
for a few years until their number is considerably
increased. Visitors to these Islands are therefore
most earnestly requested to extend their protection
to them. For the benefit of castaways, be it known
that the mutton-bird burrows in the ground,
(like a sand martin), and both young and old can
be easily secured by introducing the hand into
the hole. They are excellent eating. The
albatross and other sea-birds lay their eggs on
the high land. The course from a point half a
mile to the north of Enderby’s Island to South
Cape, Stewart’s Island, is north ¾ west, 198 miles.
When you have read this please return rolled up
into the bottle and cork securely.

(Signed) Henry Armstrong,

On behalf of the Government of Southland.

Along the front of the hut, under the eaves
(giving it the appearance of an accommodation
house) is nailed firmly a board, 16ft long, painted
white, on which is carved in deeply cut letters,
four inches long, "Depôt of necessaries for
castaways. Landed from the brig Amherst,
Feb. 1, 1868. By order of the Government
of Southland." The other hut hard by is also in
good repair. The occupants of these cabins
must have used incredible labour and perseverance
in order to accumulate on Enderby’s Island from
from all parts (even from the Straits) the materials
for building purposes, for the manufacture of
tools, and for culinary utensils. This island is
about three miles long and one and a-half wide.
The N.W. side is precipitous; the tops of the
cliffs covered with mosses and lichens but very
bare of pasture. Down the middle of the island
runs a belt of scrub, rata (iron-wood), enaki
(black oak), and a tree of which I only know the
native name, Ahmokoroa. The S.E. side is well
clothed with nettles, M’Quarrie cabbage, Maori
cabbage, patches of white clover, and Yorkshire
fog grass (of fine growth), and the common
English daisy and buttercup. In the sand-hills
are the rabbit burrow and look very much at
home. The potatoes planted by the General
Grant’s people are of very fair size, and had
they been kept clear of weeds, would, I have no
doubt, have thrown a very good crop. The goats
on this island are thriving, and have increased
their number. On Monday, 3rd February,
having determined to form the depôt in the
straits whilst the weather remained fine, we