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THE KERMADEC ANNEXATION.

THE GROUP UNDER THE BRITISH FLAG, MOBE IBLAND SENTINELS. RETURN OP THE COMMISSIONERS. The Government Commfasionersy Mr Percy Smith (Assistant Surveyor-General), and Mr T. F. Oh«esetnan (the Curator ot he Auckland Muueutn), says the " Boll," returned to Auckland by train last evening via HelenßTille, to which place they had journeyed by steamer, having left the Stella at the Kaipara. THE OBJECT OF THE EXPEDITION. On the 12tu Auausfc the Stella, under command of Captain Fairohild, and having on board Messrs Smith and Cheeseman, and Mr Haszard, photographer, steamed out of the Bay of Islands for the Kermadec group of islands, which lie about 32deg. south latitude and 178deg. west longitude, for thq purpose of formally annexing them on behalf of the British. Crown They reached Curtis Island on the afternooQ of the 14th, having passed thiough a heavy B.E. gale on the day previous. They were, however, uoabi© to effect a landing here, owino; to the heavy sea running, and steamed on to Macaulay IfilanJ, some 22 miles further north, and from the ace went on to SUNDAY ISLANP, some 72 miles more. Here they fonid the steamer Richmond at anchor. The party stayed hore till the 23rd. Messrs Smith and Cheeeetnan did nothing themselves to the surveying and exploring the island. Sunday Island is very muoh like New Zealand, and has an altitude of 1600 feet above the ocean. It is extensively wooded with the pohutukawa, and the ceil is extremely rich, and will grow almost all kinds of subtropical fruits, as well as mnny of thoße of the temperate zone. The island is of volcanic formation, and the central crater is spacious and uneven. It contains a lake of fresh water m an extinct crater bod. There fi also a smaller lake crater, which was m eruption as late as 1872, when the former inhabitants of the place left the island m fear of their lives. At present there is ONLY ONE FAMILY ON THE ISLAND, of the name of Bell, who are eleven m number, and who have got a considerable area under cultivation, producing nearly all they require m the way of food, except groceries, and having a surplus whioh they trade to the whalers for clothing aid other things they require to make np th* few luxuries of life they desire. The climate is said to be a very enjoyable one, and the Bells live a happy, contented, and quiet life. Amongst other things they have raised maize, yams, kaki (a large* taro), kumara, a kind of yam, sugar-cane, bananas, mamee apples, citrons, oradgee, shaddocks, grapes, etc;, while Cape gooseberries, and many of the smaller fruits, grow wild, and m fact the island is CAPABLE OT OEO\TINO r 'ANTTHIKO, ■ : bo luxuriant is it m natural products. It is the ideal of an island home if one has no oare for the outside world, but it is almost entirely cut off from civilisation, visitors being lifce angels' visits, few and far between. Another drawback is its inaccessibility, and also there is nothing bat open anchorage There is one bay oi the islaiid, but it m very difficult to get at from the interior, the path being most difficult and ratber dangerous, WATER SC'AECE. Another drawback to residence is a scarcity of water, owing to the volcanic formation mainly, and the rainfall only being barely sufficient for the needs of those on the is and. Around the lake there is is a bell of land having a volcanic deposit on it like that of Tarawera. Thrfre is a small hot spring m the place, FISH PLENTIFUL. Fißh are said to be plentiful, being caught freely— hapuka, kingfub, large kahawat, and an innumerable quantity and variety of others. Turtle were also aeen, and occasionally whales. BIRDS. Of the feathered kingdom there art tui and paroquets m great numbats ; hawks, larks, blight birds, pukeko, and grey ducks, pigeons, there are aoaroely any, having been exterminated by the cats which overrun the island. Wild geese and mutton birds are plentiful, ho*evit, and so are wild goats, while the family have some three hundred sheep m good condition. THE ABBA of this island is about 4000 acres, and would sustain a fair population, whioh doubtless ifc will some day* THE TOMB OF CAPTAIN DINHAM - is upon the island, and was seen by the Stella party. Captain Denbam, who was m command of B M.S. Herald, surveyed the island m 1854, and while here he lost his son from consumption, and his own remains wero also interred m the place. At this time there were a number of Americans upon the island from New York, of the name of Halitead. These were also joined by others of their countrymen, but all left about the time wo have lodioated. The fltgataff ereoted by Captain Clayton, of H.MS. Diamond, when he visited the place In July last, was also seen. THK FORMAL ANNEXATION took plaoe on August 17th. This cere* tnony consisted m the reading, by Mr Percy Smith of the proclamation of the Governot of New Zealand, Sir William Jervols, and the hoisting of the British flag. Mr Bell and his family were also present, and Mr Haizird took a photographic sketoh of the group And act of annexation. MAOAULAT ISLAND was visited on the 24th. This Island it about a mile long and three quarters of a mile wide and some 500 acres m extent. JNo water was seen, but the islaod looked fruitful and beautiful. Flooks of goats were seen, also a large black and white dog, but no sign of inhabitants. The island is inaccesdiblo exoept In two nlasas and is 800 feet high. It has a fine dope and excellent sward, whloh looked tillable, I the soil being good. It is of roloanlo formation, but theie were no signs of voloanlo activity. COURTIS ISLAND AND FRENCH BOCK were alao visited ; both, however, are more barren rooks, and of little use. BfR OHEBSEHfAN'S Mr Cheeaeman's mission was to obtain a knowledge of the hot toy of the {sUnd.!. He is well satisfied with the result he ha,i achieved, and bring* baokan excellent collacttoQ of the fj >ra> of Sunday Island, Toe vegetation, with a few tropical addt< tions, is the tame aa that of New Ztaland, and the nikaa is a native of Sanday Island,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18870907.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1656, 7 September 1887, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,058

THE KERMADEC ANNEXATION. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1656, 7 September 1887, Page 2

THE KERMADEC ANNEXATION. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1656, 7 September 1887, Page 2

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