ISLANDS TO LET.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 33, 10 November 1894, Page 8

ISLANDS TO LET.

With, the exception of the ■ wellknown venture of the Enderby Bros., scarcely anything has been done in the way of bringing the Auckland Islands within, so to speak, the pale of civilisation. Their reputation is sinister. They have been chiefly remarkable for the number of vessels that have come to grief on their rocky coasts. At intervals sealing parties have plied their adventurous calling there, but it was not until a few months ago that the Government decided that the Islands might be utilised for agriculturaTand pastoral purposes. In pursuance of that decision Mr J. P. Joyce, of this town, was commissioned to furnish a special report on the Auckland and adjacent islands, and was a passenger on the Hinemoa in May and June last when she was despatched to “warn off” the Norwegian whaler and sealer Antarctic. Mr Joyce’s report was laid on the table of the House of Representatives just before the close of the session, and has since been printed and circulated. Its appearance is most opportune, in view of the fact that the lease of the Auckland and Campbell Islands for a period of 21 year’s will be offered at auction in Invercargill on the 2lst inst. Mr Joyce, who is singularly well qualified for such a work, has evidently made good use of his opportunities. His report contains a number of interesting facts relative to the history and geological and other features of the islands, but

on this occasion we must content ourselves with a reference to those portions dealing 1 directly with their advantages from a settlement point of view. On this point he remarks : “ The whole of the country, contrary to the opinions expressed by former visitors, is adapted for pastoral purposes, although undoubtedly wet and spongy over its general surface. But this drawback would soon be diminished were the ground grazed over by sheep and cattle, whose tracks would at once consolidate the surface, and form lines of drainage. At present the sea-lions which frequent the coastline, and go long distances inland, tend to keep the surface in a condition the reverse of favourable to rapid, evaporation of the rainfall. The climate, although humid, is singularly equable. During the time of our visitit ranged between 45 and 54 deg. Fahr. The condition of the sheep which have been landed at several' places and at various times by Capt. Fairchild is such as to warrant the statement that for pastoral purposes the Aucklands rank high. Even if their area is not so large as hitherto estimated (114,000 acres), there would still be sufficient country to depasture at once from 20,000 to 30,000 sheep, and a fair proportion of cattle.” As bearing upon the capabilities of cultivation of the Islands, it was observed at Port Boss “that white clover and cocksfoot, introduced grasses, had held their own ; and here New Zealand flax, no where else to be met with, and probably introduced by either the Enderbys or the Maori refugees, who once were located here,, flourishes in great luxuriance. The fact speaks for itself to every New Zealand settler, for it is an axiom that where flax grows strongly almost any other crop can be relied upon.. While it is not likely that grain, with the exception perhaps of oats and rye, would ripen satisfactorily, there can be no doubt that the ordinary' vegetables of the garden could be easily grown. Fire, and the chipping of tussock, would enable large areas tobe cheaply grassed. It would'be an error, however, to convey the impression rhat the islands are suitable for settlement on a small scale. By whomsoever they are taken up, a considerable amount of capital wrll have, in the first instance, to be expended. Large storage room for wo.ol, and freezing works would be essential features.” The Campbell Islands are also reported on in very favourable terms. It is understood that some Northern speculators desire to secure the islands for pastoral purposes. It has also been mentioned that a local company or syndicate intend to have a say in the' matter. Invercargill has been associated with these lone isles of the sea in various in the past. The suivivors of several shipwrecked crews were brought here and cared for, and it was in Invercargill that a wreck fund was started for the relief of the sufferers. Many will cherish the - wish, if only on sentimental grounds, that the connection may be continued, and that to a local syndicate may fall the task of advancing yet further the “ heroic work of colonisation ” in these Southern Seas.