MILFORD SOUND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 13, 22 April 1871, Page 4

MILFORD SOUND.

"The scenery of Milford Sound is thus described by an eye-witness on board H.m:S. Clio:— The'scenery at this place is something grand. High above where the Clio lay, Pembrook Peak rose to an altitude of neatly 7000 feet; its summit covered with perpetual snow, and a glacier stretching down its side to within 2000 feet of the sea. The lower slopes of the surrounding mountains are richly clad with the. varied timbers of the West 'Coast. Another conspicuous feature in Milford Sound is the remarkably-shaped " Mitre," rising abruptly to a height of nearly 6000-feet over the south side of the Sound. There is also a domesfiaped mountain nearly bare of vegetation, and which, from its peculiar color, resembles a huge mound of metal. It has been named Mount Kimberley. These narrow peaks, coupled with the narrow entrance to the Sound, rendered apparently more contracted by stupendous cliffs, rising'like perpendicular fortifications 'from the sea to a height of several thousand feet, invest Milford Haven with a character of solemnity and, grandeur which one can barely realise. There are two permanent waterfalls from the cliffs to the basin, the-one seven hundred and the other six hundred feet high. One of these, at the upper end of Milford Sound was named Bowen Fall in honor of the Governor, and the other Stirling Fall in honor of the Commodore. The Clio remained here six days, during three of which there raged a great storm of wind and rain. In addition to the cataracts mentioned above, a number of others burst out with the storm, which gave the Sound all the appearance of being inundated by a circular waterspout. These cascades carried along with them masses of rock, trunks of large trees, and other heavy debris, which went roaring and tumbling down their precipitous descents. All this time avalanches were heard thundering down .the higher peaks, and reverating grandly among the surrounding hills. Although comparatively inconsiderable as regards size, Milford Sound has by far the finest scenery of any of the West Coast sounds. Several of the officers of the Clio were engaged during their stay in completing nautical surveys, particulars of which will be published in due course.