Sketcher.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 10, 9 June 1894, Page 6

Sketcher.

THE AUCKLAHDS. A first impression is not always to be relied on, but tbe one received by the writer has been confirmed by subsequent observation. It is that the Aucklands have not received fair treatment from those who,within the past quarter of a century or so, have, whether voluntarily or through force . of circumstancs, made acquaintance with their features. The weather, the morning we made the land (during the Hinemoa’s late trip),may have had something' to do with this. The sun was shining through a rift in the clouds. The contour Of the low hills, rising from the beach, showed long undulating lines—the vegetation clothing them presenting varied shades of green up to the higherground, where the tussac took tbe place of scrub —such a prospect as one often meets with on the east coast of New Zealand. This was in the vicinity of N.W. Cape. Hearing the land, the steamer was headed for a previously unnamed little harbour — there and then named Danby Cove — running fair inland for about two miles, with an average width of half a mile. A smooth sheet of water- a lake to look at, its shores stretching in unbroken lines, sloping gently upward for say 160 feet,to long stretches of rolling downs. Some of the slopes are clad with veronica and other shrubs of varied hues. Steaming up to within a quarter of a mile of the bead of the harbour, anchor is dropped in four fathoms. The scene is like a bit cut out of fairyland. In the foreground a gently sloping sandy beach, backed by a table-topped hill, on the face of which the sunshines brightly, bringing out in bold relief its picturesque features. On the beach, in various attitudes of indolence, hawk groups of sea lions, one occasionally rising on its fore feet, or rather flippers, and propelling itself in an easy manner a few yards, only to again lazily recline. In near neighbourhood, in close companionship, three or four jugs —this sounds nnromantic, but tbe fact is so —are rooting about among the sea wrack. The huge sea lions look like survivals from an antediluvian pei’iod, and do not appear disturbed by shots fired by a shore party at one of the porkers (without effect). Another party, laden with finger posts, is sent off to place them in position at points where most likely to he seen by castaways. This completed, a course is shaped for the hay in which the barque Com padre was, some years ago, run ashore as a last resource —the cargo having taken fire several days previously. The aspect of the coast, although here and there presenting steep cliffs, is quite the reverse of frowning —but sunshine and smooth water make all the difference to a seascape. Captain Fairchild and Mr Danby landed here, and found the beach strewn with wreckage. Onward to Enderhy Island, passing on the way the scene of the wreck of the Derry Castle, and a stretch of saudy beach, formerly a favourite resort of herds of sea lions, but to-day presenting an almost deserted appearance. It was when coasting along the northern face of Enderby that what proved to be the Antarctic was first sighted. A SEA LIOH AT BAY. Unwieldy and clumsy in theirmovements hs the sea lions are,theyarenot, at close quarters,by any means despicable am agonists. Of this Mr Danby, one of Hie Hinemoa’s pnssengers, had convincing proof when ashore at “ Fairchild’s Carden.” —so called on account of the profusion of native flowering plants growing over several acresif of more than commonly rich peaty soil, He had gone off, gun in hand, by himself up a scrub covered rido-e, through which a sea lion track led inland, when he suddenly found birr.se f confronted by a huge sea lion, w Lich challenged the right of way between him and the beach. The situme.n was embarrassing. The

scrub on either side was too thick to pass around the “ lion on the path,” and the path itself too narrow to allow the intruder, as he evidently considered Mr Danby, to pass. The latter, after brief consideration, concluded that a charge of shot (he had set out to shoot birds only) might settle the difficulty. At the second barrel the sea lion plunged into the scrub, where he remained long enough for Mr Danby to pass. But no sooner had he gone a few paces down hill than the sea lion recovered from his surprise, and gave chase. What followed was witnessed by some of the party standing on the beach below, and is thus described. *• Mr Danby could evidently hear but could not see, owing to a turn in the track, that his pursuer was waddling at a good pace, a few yards behind him. He was, it is due to him to say, retreating in good order, something between a walk and a run, until another turn brought the enemy in sight and perceptibly hastened his descent. The sea lion at this juncture caught sight of us, and probably deeming discretion the better part of valour, went back on his tracks, wondering, it may be easily imagined, with what sort of hailstones his tough hide had been peppered.”