A VISIT TO STEWART ISLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 441, 13 June 1902, Page 3

A VISIT TO STEWART ISLAND.

(By Blue Cod.)

After hearing the beauties of Stewart Island so ofton described, my anxiety to visit this “ Garden of Eden ” was at last gratified. One lovely Wednesday morning we left Invercargill by tho nine o'clock train, bound ior tho Bluff. Wo boarded tho Teresa Ward,' a trim new twin-screw steamer, owned by the Bluff Harbor Board. During tho summer months the steamer runs across tho straits twice a week, the ordinary trip is made once a week. Tho trip across ocoupies only two hours ; sometimes hours of pleasure, but when tho sea is rough—as it so often is in the strait—what misery can be endured during that time. Soon wo left the Bluff behind us on the one hand, and Dog Island, on which stands the lighthouse, on the other, both bleak and grey looking. Quito suddenly we seemed to be in another reigon. The numerous small islands that so thickly gem Foveaux Strait aro many of them crowned with a luxuriant growth of verdant bush and fern ; others again in marked contrast, rise abruptly out of the blue waters without a vestige of vegetable life upon them. They were welcomo resting places for the sea-birds that crowded in thousands upon their rocky summits, where they kept up a continuous and noisy chatter, screaming to each other as though resenting our presence. After steaming about an hour wo were within view of Half Moon Bay, whero tho greater number of settlers live, and where the landing place is situated. It all looked very pretty and charming. The island is inundated with innumerable bays and inlets, the largest being Patterson’s inlet, which is a largo body of water almost severing the island in two, running as it does for many miles into the interior, and in places measuring several miles in width. This expanse of water is broken by numbers of islands of various dimensions, all of them clothed in bush of varied hues of green, and here and there enriched and glorified by the gorgeous bloom of the rata tree. Fish abound in the waters, especially a very delicious blue cod, quantities of which are caught and taken to the Bluff, where they are frozen and sent to Melbourne. Stewart Island oysters are not found on tho island, but on islands some distance away. All that aro gathered are landed at the Bluff, and residents of the island must go there for them. Stewart Island is interesting to the botanist as well as the geologist. Gold, as well as tin, is to be found, but has not yet been thoroughly worked. Life on the-island seems to flow on in a calm and tranquil manner, undisturbed by the world’s hurry and worrry. There are no trains, no trams, and no telephones to mar the peace that seems to reign over all. On evory side the eye is charmed by the beauties of nature displayed with a lavish hand, and as yet unsullied by the devastating march of civilisation. Such a land -Tennyson must have pictured when he wrote “ The Lotus Eaters ”

“ They came unto a land, In which it seemed always afternoon.

The Maori name of the island isßakioura, whioh means Tho Evening Glow. It seems a pity that a name so suitable ■ to this island of many colours should have to bo changed.