THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS EXPEDITION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 552, 17 February 1868, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS EXPEDITION.

(From the Dunedin Evening Star, Slst January.) A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce took place to-day, at noon, “to consider the reply of the Colonial .Secretary to the Provincial Government, in the matter of a search at the Auckland Isle> for shipwrecked persons.” Present—Messrs A. Carriek (in tiie chair), J. B. Mudie, Buttenvorth, J. Davie, Sise, F. J. Moss. Ewen, A. Tolmie, Caldwell, W. 11. Reynolds R. B. Martin Isaac Turnbull. "Vogel, jam] the Secretary (Mr J. S. Webb). At 'the request of the Oairman, the Secretary read the following correspondence : Superintendent’s Office. Dunedin, 30th Jan. 186 S.

Sir, —Seeing in to day’s paper that there is to be special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, at noon, on the subject of the shipwreck at the Auckland Islands, I beg to forward herewith, for the information of the Chamber, a communication which has this morning reached me from His Honor the Superintendent of Southland, which please return to me after the meeting. lam sure there can be but one feeling in Otago as to the noble part which our neighbors in Southland have acted in the affair, and I trust that whatever steps the General Government may adopt with resneet to it, we shall insist upon sharing with our Southland friends in the pecuniary part of the burden. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, J. Macandhew, Superintendent. To tbo Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, Superintendent’s Office, Southland, 26th Jan, 1868.

Sir, —Having seen in the papers an account of a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Dunedin, at which it seems to have been decided that it was advisable to send a steamer to the Auckland and Campbell Islands, to search for the four missing men of the crew of the General Grant, and learning that a deputation intended to wait on your Honor with a similar object, I have thought it might be well that yon should be made acquanted, for your guidance, with the steps already taken in the matter by the Government of this Province.

The enclosed copy of a letter to the Chief Secretary of Victoria, will put you in possession of then*. The Amherst sailed on Saturday morning with a fair wind. She is fitted out and subsidized by the Southland Government, and in charge of Mr Armstrong, a member of the Provincial Council, and formerly an officer of the P. & O. Company—being commanded and manned by the same persons that were in her on her last trip, men who are acquainted with every part of the various groups of islands from long experience in whaling and sealing there ; so that I have no doubt that what can bo done to carry out my instructions will be judiciously and effectively accomplished. I have only to add that the survivors, ten in number, left by the Otago for Melbourne, all in excellent health, and well supplied by the Government with clothing, and by a committee of the inhabitants of Invercargill with money. I would venture to suggest that the benevolent feelings of the citizens of Otago, which appear to have been moved chiefly in behalf of the shipwrecked men, might now be properly turned in another dirc-c tion, viz., towards the owners and crew of the Amherst. Not to reward them for doing a good deed, for which I am sure every man of them already feels sufficiently rewarded in having done it, but to compensate them for the actual loss they have undergone in maintaining the sufferers so long on board (two months), and in at length leaving their fishing ground in order to bring them here. I think it does not consist with the honor of the New Zealand public to allow this loss to fall on them alone, and I feel very sure that every colonist, both in New Zealand and Victoria, would gladly see their respective governments contribute towards a fund for the purpose of reimbursing them. I can at least answer for the people of Southland. —I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Jno. P. Tatlok, Superintendent. P.S. — 1., enclose, for the information of your Honor’s Government, a copy of a rough map of the Auckland Islands, marked in like manner to that sent to the Chief Secretary of Victoria, with numbers in red, indicating the places where the stores will be left by the Amherst. His Honor the Superintendent, Otago.

Superintendent’s Office. Southland, New Zealand. 20th January, 1668. Sir, —You will hare received intelligence by the steamship Tararua, which left the Bluff harbour immediately after the arrival at that port of the Southland whaling brig Amherst, Captain Gilroy, of the discovery on the Auckland Islands of the survivors of the crew and passengers of the TJ. S. ship General Grant, which left Melbourne on the 4th May, 1866, with a cargo of wool and 59 passengers for London. It is unnecessary for me now to give you any detailed account of this terrible disaster, as you will find a copy of the depositions of the persons examined before the Court of Enquiry, and also * full account of the events attending their rescue in papers which I send enclosed. I have requested Mr James Teer, an old Now Zealand settler, formerly pilot at Hokitika, who was a passenger on board the General Grant, to wait upon you and

give yon any particular information you may desire. This is now the fourth wreck

which is known to have happened at the Auckland Islands within as many years, and it would be well could some means be adopted to dimish the risk of accidents in future by maintaining a light on some prominent point on the windward side of: the main island, as this group is in the direct course of vessels going from the Australian ports eastward. As this, however, is a matter which does not lie within the scope of provinoiol authority, I must content mysedf with suggesting the idea to you, and communicating on the subject with the General Government.

In the meantime, it is my intention, as soon as the weather moderates, to send out the brig Amherst to explore the adjacent groups of islands—the Campbell, Bounty, and Antipodes Islands—on the, I fear, very remote chance of picking up the four men—viz., the mate and three of the crew who left the Auckland Islands in one of the General Grant’s boats, on the 22nd January, 1867, in the hope of reaching New Zealand, who have not since been heard of, but who may by bare possibility have fetched the Campbell Islands. I enclose a map of the Auckland group made by Mr Baker, Chief Surveyor of this Province, when he visited it two years ago in the steamer Southland in search of the survivors of the Grafton. Had there been time I would have had it lithographed, and sent you a number of copies for the use of ship masters; but you will probably bo able to get that better done in Melbourne. You will perceive that the east coast is so indented with deep bays, that it is very unlikely any vessel could come to harm on that side, which is, moreover, the one most rarely approached; but the west side is precipitous, ironbound from one end to the other. I have had prepared here, and instructed ' the captain of the the brig Amherst to leave at the points marked with red figures on the map, Nos. 1,2, 3, casks containing each the articles named in the subjoined list, for the use of any person who may unfortunately be cast away there in future. No. 1. Head of Saddle Hill inlet. No. 2. Musgrave’s hut (with notice on Musgrave’s Peninsula where to find it.) No. 3. OKI settlement (Euderby’s north of Laurie’ Cove. Articles stored at each of the above places in casks;—Large-sized pocket compass with floating card (variation marked,) and sailing directions for reaching New Zealand ; matches, flint, steel, tinder, axe, knives, fish hooks, lines, warm clothing and blankets, hammer, saw, gimfalet, chisel, nails, spade, a few tins of preserved meat, biscuits, a chart, viz., a tracing of the one now sent, and a small map of New Zealand, a few water-tight boots and stockings, needles and thread, camp ovens, pannikens, and a little ordinary medicine.

Enderby’s Island —On tliis island hare been turned oat four goals (left by Victoria,) also sixteen pigs. There are here plenty of rabbits, and any quantity of seals, which can be easily eapturod without boats. Here also have been left two old axes, two ovens, and a boiler. It would be well to make it known that “ mutton birds” abound on all the islands. These birds form a staple article of food to the Natives of Southern New Zealand, and to many of the settlers. The General Grant’s crow were not aware of this, although they had passed twenty months on the islands, till told of it by the Amherst’s men. The birds burrow like rabbits, or like the English sand mar.en, and their nests can he reached by the hand. Captain Cilroy is also instructed to leave casks with similar contents on Bounty Island, and at Campbell Islands, and also to turn out some pigs and goats, and, if I can get them in time, some woodhens and rabbits. As I have no chart of these lust named places, 1 cannot indicate the exact spot where the stores will be found, but on the return of the expedition, I will forward you a copy of the report of the officer in charge, which will give a description of the exact locality. I hope that these little instructions may be the means of alleviating the sufferings of any unfortunates who may in future be cast away on these islands, but I hope still more strongly that there may never bo any need to test their usefulness.

I have received a telegraphic message from the Colonial Secretary, to give free passages to the crew and passengers of the General Grant to Melbourne, and thejwill sail accordingly by the Otago to-mor-row,—l have &c., Ac.,

(Signed John P. Tatuoh, Superintendent. The Hon. Chief Secretary, Victoria. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called because it was the opinion of the Committee of the Chamber that the members should have an opportunity of expressing then- opinions with regard to the reiusai of the General Government to despatch a steamer to search tire Auckland Isles. The people of Southland had taken a deal of trouble and interest in the matter; and it was hit by a great many people that the bui then of the work should not fall on that Province alone. A lengthened discussion ensued upon the resolution proposed by Capt. M'Jvinnon, and seconded by Mr Mudie, audit was eventually altered to the shape in which we print it below. Oiiginally it proposed to apply to the General Government again, urging them to send a steamer, and if they refused, to apply to the Commodore on the station, and to the Victorian Government. Mr*Davie doubted whether the Commodore had power to act in such a matter'

independently of the Governor j and ho objected to any application being made to the Victorian Government in the matter. ilr Garrick thought it probable that the Victorian Government would have already dispatched a steamer. Captain M'Kinnon doubted this ; they would have naturally imagined that the New Zealand Government had taken every necessary step to search for the missing men. Mr Davie thought that every internal UlCuliu whoUul ycforS the colony.

Mr Turnbull dissented from the action taken by the Chamber. He was not pre« sent at the last meeting but understood the object of it was a proposal to raise money for the relief of the survivors of the wreck. If such was the case, he considered that a public meeting of the inhabitants should have been called, and that as the matter had nothing to do with commerce, the Chamber was exceeding the limits of its function in the action it was taking. Capt. M'Kinnon explained that the first meeting had been called at the request of the Government. Mr Webb considered that the necessities for the erection of a beacon on the principal island, and the formation of depots were closely conneceed with the commercial interests of the colony. It was true that the vessels which had been lost there had not cleared from the port, but that did not affect the importance of something being done to prevent future accidents. Mr Moss agreed with Mr Turnbull, that it was unwise to apply to the Commodore or the Victorian Government. If the Provincial Government had not sufficient influence to cause the Colonial Goverement to take action, what could the Chamber of Commmeree, which was only one of a great many, expect to accomplish. Capt. M'Kinnon said that the Provincial Treasurer hud already informed members of the Chamber that the Government could not go to the expense of sending a steamer away without a vote of the Council. The Amherst was totally unfit for the service, and the Colonial Secretary had evidently treated the application for a steamer with remarkable coolness. There were plenty of steamers in the North adapted for the work, and beyond the cost of coals no great expense would have been incurred in despatching one of them.

Mr Turnbull quite agreed that a steamer should bo sent to explore the islands at once. If tho General Government would not do so, the Provincial Government should, but he objected to the Chamber taking any steps for the collection of sub* scriptions. Mr Davie thought that when the Provincial Council met money wsuld bo voted forloss important objects, and that other expenditure which had never been author* ised would have been voted.

Sir Moss repeated his opinion that tha Chamber would be travelling outside the proper functions were it to apply to the Commodore or outside the colony. What Southland had done should be considered so that it might not be thought that any reflection was oast upon the action taken by that Province. Captain M'Kinnon replied that there was no intention in the resolution to cast any reflection upon Southland, but merely to supplement her endeavors. If Southland had made a mistake in sending a sailing vessel, that was no reason why a steamer should not be despatched. Mr Davie did not see why a direct application should not be made to the Provincial Government. It would then have to send a steamer, or give a distinct refusal, which considering the late expedition to Martin’s Bay, he hardly thought was probable. . . Several other members expressed their opinions, and Captain M'Kiuuon’s motion as follows was unanimously carried: “ That a sub-commitlee be appointed to wait on the Solicitor-General to urgently represent the need for a setamer being dispatched without delay to the .Auckland and Campbell’s Islands, and failing the sub-committee being able to induce the General Government to undertake tha duty, to apply for the Provincial Govern" meat, and take any other steps which may be considered necessary. The Committee to consist of Messrs Carrick, M'Kinnon, Turnbull, 11. Driver, Robertson, Reynolds, Mo.-s, and i\. B. Martin.” This portion of the business of the meetting being concluded, Mr Sise brought before the notice oi the Chamber tbo desirability of offering such inducement as would cause the .Northern Whalers to make Poit Chalmers their rendezvous. This cou d probably be accomplished by making it a free port to them, and their presence would give a great impetus to the commerce of the place. » S—pp*" 1 !' ted this view of the case. 'The northern whaling fisheries were carried on now almost entirely by auxiliary screw steamers, waile the southern fisheries had been very greatly neglected. As many as a dozen whales had been seen off the Ocean Beach yesterday. Mr Sise pointed out that the whalers would gladly sell their oil hero if they had an opportunity afforded them, as it would I enable them to return to their work ■quicker. , , Mr Carrick pointed out that wi__ je exception of Bight Dues all the Port charges were Provincial, and after a B®?®' ral conversation it was suggested that Mr Sise should place his ideas upon the subject in the form a letter to the Chamber. He agreed to do so, and the meeting ended.