Sealing on the South Coast.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 22, 10 December 1874, Page 6

Sealing on the South Coast.

The schooner Awarua arrived at the Bluff on the 4th inst., from the Snares and Solanders with two parties of sealers, landed at these places in June last. Their conjoined " take "is 1000 skins, for which they receive at the rate of 23s per skin. The two parties consisted of nine men, five of whom were landed on the Snares, and the remaining- four, on the Solanders. The following* is a report of the proceeding's at both places, as furnished to the •Southland News': —

THE SNARES

Party were landed on the 12th June by the schooner Awarua, and on that date captured eight seals. Bad weather setting in next day, they were unable to do anything until the 19th, during vvhich time a very hea^y gale passed over the islands. From th-;t date until tbe Ist July they continued, with varied success, to work the rookeries on the Snares, and on the Ist they pulled out to the reef, expecting to have a good haul, but owing to the changeable weather, were disappointed, only being able to secure seven skins. On returning; to the main island the whole party had a very narrow escape of beiu^ drowned, their boat being twice filled with water frcm the heavy sea running, one hand being washed overboard, who was with difficulty repcii'-d. From the 2nd July ' nothing occurred to break the monotony until the 15th, when the schooner" Awarua hove in sight and landed a large boat and a fresh supply of provisions. Continued scaling each day until the 3rd, with varitd success, when another casualty occurred, which was, however, unattended with serious results. On the 26th, sighted a French man-of-war passing, bound to the .eastward, and on 11th August saw a large full- rigged ship passing, to which, as they were getting short of provisions, they signalled by making a fire on a proininant part of the Island, but no notice was taken ol it by the vessel. On the 14th and 15ih September the reef was again worked — this time with more success thaa the first, 88 skins being secured— and up to the end of S- pumber they succeeded iv taking 120 more. About this time they appear to have run entirely out of stores, brought from the mainland, including tobacco and matches, which was felt as a great want, as a watch had to be kept on all night to keep their fire alight. No great inconvenience, however., seem/ to have been caused by the scarcity of provisions, as the islands abound in mutton birds, and a species of plant calied by the Maoris "Maequarrie Cabbage," which is very palatable. The eg^s of the mutton birds, too, are so thick every evening, that it is impossible to walk a few steps without finding two or three nests. A continual hum, like the roaring ol the sea at a distance, is kept up by the young bird^ in their nests underground, whilst the sky overhead is literally darkened during the afternoon by the myriads of old ones living past.

THE SOLANDERS.

The party landed upon the Solanders appear to have bad better luck than those on the Snares, as their smallest take on one day amounted to 27 skins, whilst the number taken on the 27th July reached 130. This party also had the misfortune not to have provided themselves with sufficient provisions to last to tbe end of the season, and have been living since September upon Maori hens, mutton birds and Macquarne cabbage. '■ ; n the 10:h ult., the e.s. Otago was signalled to, and Captain M'Lean came off in a boat ■ but as it was low water and getting late they were unable to land anything ijpon the Hand. On tbe 22nd, at midnight, a steamer was beard whistling off the island, and fires were lit upon several elevated point!', but although a sharp lookout was kept, no b..-at was seen, and at daylight the steamer was gone. The remains of two huts were discovered on the Sol and ere, F.u;>p«ist.d to have been used iithy early days by parties who were ehgagtd in catching albatrosses there, also the grave of a man who fell ov r one of the cliffs and was killed whilst en^aard in the above pursuit under Captain How* 11 in tbe early days. It was a^ain built up and renewed. The arrival of the Awarua was hailed with joy by both parties, who were each heartilytired of their long imprisonment. They are very well please;! with the treatment tbey had rectived at the bands of Captain Adams whilst on board the Awarua, aisd express a desire to return tbeir thanks to him for his kindness. It is satisfactory to know from the above that should a ship' wrecked party be cast either upon the Snares or Solanders they would not be in want entirely ol food.