STEWART’S ISLAND SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 2798, 5 February 1872, Page 3

STEWART’S ISLAND SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

The Southland Times reporter, after describing the passage of the Wallace from the Bluff to Stewart’s Island, which was a very rough one, writes : Viewed from a distance, 1 lie contour of the Island presents all the appearance of a weather-beaten peak rising abruptly from the jaws of the deep. In contra-distinction to the oft-told adage—that “ distance lends enchantment to the view”—it is a close ins cction that brings out the liner traits of its character. A son of the Gael, a lineal descendant of Callura Moore, gave it as his opinion that Port William was a second edition of the entrance to Oban, on the west coast of Scotland. One of Saxon extrac ion found features in the landscape forcibly reminding him of some favored spot in the south of England. Another, of the tribe of the O’Malley’s, looked at Paterson’s Inlet, and became sentimental about Dublin Bay. A fourth perfected his c'auns to social distinction by making similar allusions to the south of France, so that each appeared to view the scene admiringly although from different points, It canupt be denied that so Dr as the panoramic view is concerned, iAevaris Island at this place abounds in all those hue features usually associated with the picturesque in nature, ihe entire coast from Port William to Saddle Point is bold but not precipitous. The back country seems to rise with a gradual slope up towards the summit of Mount Anglem, and appears as far as the eye can distinguish to be thickly covered with bush. The coast lice in various places tapers off into spurs, but from the appearance of the country as seen through the recesses thus formed it is very doubtful indeed if any great extent of level land exists. The rocks and promontories scattered along the beach form all manner of fantastic shapes, many of them bearing startling resemblance to the outworks of a fortification. The timber upon the skirts of the bush is poor in growth and inferior in quality. In fact iis claims are only a shade higher than that of the scrub. Further inland it is said to im-. prove, but from the situation of the hush at this particular place it is very questionable indeed if at any place it is quite equal to that of the average growths on the mainland. These remarks apply exclusively to the stretch of country known as the Saddle, and which terminates ‘at the entrance to Port William. In the neighborhood of Paterson’s Inlet the country becomes flatter, at all events more undulating, and the chances are that some good agricultural land will l e opened in the vicinity. That opinion is borne out by Dr Hector, who states in his report that, generally speaking, on scrambling through the first belt of scrub, sharp, yieepf qO feetbringrone on to‘a comparatively level tract of forest land. The in Jet is npupwards of 30 miles long, and at one time two extensive saw mills were established in the neighborhood, Besides a neck of land jutting out for a considerable distance into the sea, its mouth is studed over with small islands, so that the inlet itself becomes completely land locked. Considerable patches of ground have been cleared, and some sub-stantial-looking domiciles and steadings erected. The Wallace proceeded only a very short distance up the inlet as far as the fisliing station recently erected on ope of the afore mentioned islands. This establishment is situated in a wed sheltered nook, The denizens of the station were hailed by those on board. They returned the salute by waving the steamer to a convenient anchorage. The directions were followed, but after reaching the place indicated, for some reason or another, those i n board did not think lit to pull up, and the steamer put about and returned to Rolf moon Bay. Arifying therp iiie auphqr wag dropped- opposite what is knpwni as the Germans’ settlement, a' l d the passengers landed to get a nimble about the place, The ground at the Germans’ settlement is remarkably well cultivated. The fruit, flowers, vegetables, and crops generally are most luxut iaut. Captain Harrold’s wellknown fishing station is situated more 'to, wards the entrance of the bay, and that of Mr Scully at the extreme head. The latter is at present engaged building a craft, to be fitted up with a well for the conveyance of live oysters to the mainland. The keel, which is 42 feet long, has been laid, and a few ribs bent. Rata, or iron wood, which is plentiful-in the neighborhood, is being u-ed for the framework,' The pine likewise p!eu ful on 'the island, is to be used for planking. The beaches both of this and the ocher bays, carry a heavy deposit of black sand Scully and his neighbors had an interview the Superintendent on board the Wallace relative to the tenure of their holdings, which is understood to have been mutually satisfactory. An effort is likewise being made to get a school for the island, Halfmoon Bay being spoken of as the proposed site. At 6 p.in. the steamer dropped anchor in Port William. After the evening, meal had been discussed, the passengers set out to enjoy themselves in accordance with their own tastes amj. pro ! flections. The majority went' ashore to examine the place, while others went out in the boat to fish. The scientific members of the party set to work eagerly. Judging from’ the amount of rock chipping and fossil gathering that went on, we shoiild faiicy that this is destined to become an interesting feature of the expedition. We may here add we have since ascertained that if has been definitely fixed that first special settlement in Stewart’s Island is to be planted in Port William, from which it is expected that in course of time the settlers themselves will radiate to other parts of the island.