STEWART'S ISLAND SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 1537, 13 February 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

STEWART'S ISLAND SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

♦ THE EXCTTBSION TRIP. In furtherance of the special settlements movement, an excursion trip, accompanied by His Honor the Superintendent, and Messrs John Bathgate and W. H. Cutten of the Provincial Government, took place on 30th ult. The Hon. Mr Eeeves, Minister of Public Works for the Middle Island, Professors Black, Sale, and Macgregor, also accompanied the party. The excursionists were conveyed to the Bluff by special train at 8 I a.m. The weather cannot be designated uocompromisingly bad, still it was sufficiently threatening to deter the more timorous from undertaking a voyage across the straits, where these heartless tendencies to sea sickness, cross seas and chopping waters, are met with under the most favorable circumstances. The Harbor Company's paddle steamer Wallace, a vessel favorably known in the Oaraaru and North Coast trade of the province, was chartered by the Government, the engagement being such as to enable a moderate number of the general public to take advantage of the trip. In addition to those mentioned above, some twenty or twenty-five gentlemen, principally belonging to Invercargill, availed themselves of it, so that although tolerably well patronised, the Wallace was not by any means crowded. When the steamer left the wharf at 9 a.m., the Bluff may be said to have looked its very best. Both outside and inside, the pier was closely lined with sailing crafts, in addition to the p.s. Samson, and the s.s. Taranaki, the latter having just arrived as the Wallace left. This is so far satisfactory, as it enabled our visitors to see the port to advantage. Proceeding outside, the Wallace was soon caught by the ripple, and as a matter of course began to " heel." An enormous bank of mutton birds, sitting on the surface of the water tor some miles in length, had the effect of distracting attention for some time ikom

the motion of the vessel. A course was shaped right through the centre of the flock, so that tbe novelty of the scene enabled the steamer to get well clear of the land before those on board had time to bestow much thought upon the probable consequences of its " dip." Another circumstance occurred to prolong this immunity. A craft, supposed to be the James Paxton, from Rirerton, came gallantly along under full sail, and for the time being every eye was strained in i the direction of the passing bark. The steamer had now got well to the westI ward of Dog Island, and was consequently beginning to feel the full effects of the current running through the straits, on I her beam. The wind at this time was light, almost imperceptible, and the atmosphere overhead clear. The sky I seaward was hnzy, and the more pro--1 minent landmarks, more especially those of Mount Anglem, and the tableland islands stretching out from the entrance of Paterson's Inlet, were enveloped in haze, or else completely obscured. Th 6 " innocents abroad" looked up to the few gleams of sunshine struggling overhead, and despite the premonitory symptoms of squeamishness | that had already set in, succeeded for a time in beguiling themselves with the belief that the fates were going to be propitious, and sea-sickness honored in the breach. Those more intimately acquainted with the signs of the times thought otherwise, and although they prudently forbore saying too much, such nautical phrases as a " wind haze" in the distance, and coming on to " pipe a hurricane," got into circulation. But for the meaning conveyed by this ominous intelligence, it is just possible that these savory retreats, the lee-scuppers, would have remained without patronage longer than was actually the case. There is one thing, however, that may be taken for granted. As matters turned out no delusion, however powerful, could have risen superior to the exigencies that eventually called their services into requisition. When rather more than mid- way across, the wind came on to blow right ahead, without the smallest seeming compunction. Hitherto the little steamer had been making her bow to the rolling billows with tolerable gracefulness, but now she seemed to throw off all manner of self-respect, and went reeling and staggering about like a drunken man. With one bound Bhe would rush up the sides of a huge breaker, getting her head so high above water as to make one believe that she seriously intended to reverse the laws of navigation, and do the rest of the passage keel uppermost. She would then drop down into the trough of the sea with a heavy splash, | sending up a cloud ot foam and spray ! over the deck. Getting tired of that performance, she would rush on to it j broad-side, with the water rising close up to the level of the bulwarks, and flooding out the port-holes. Although severely battered, the little steamer held on her way manfully, spitting out a hissing steam as if to dety the powers ot a natural enemy. The scene on deck was not without its suggestiveness. One poor fellow in particular, between the j paroxysms of his case, was heard to groan out pathetically, " Stewart's Island settlement, indeed ! I wish to peace the Superintendent and Executive would find a settlement for the claims put up by mv stomach !" It has been stated by those who adopted the precaution of not accompanying the trip, that the Wallace was well under the lee of Stewart's Island before the storm began. This, however, is a mistake, as she had the fall force of the wind long before getting into leewater, which we may add did not, from the direction in which the wind blew, extend any great distance from the shore. The island was made at a point of the saddle a few miles north of Port William, from whence the land was hugged on past the port, Horseshoe and Halfmoon bays, without touching at either. Now that the vessel had got into comparatively still water, all traces of sickness quickly disappeared, and as the weather gave signs of brightening up, the relief felt on board may be said to have become general. Viewed from a distance, the contour of the Island presents all the appearance of a weather-beaten peak rising abruptly from the jaws of the deep. In contra-distinction to the oft-told adage — that " distance lends enchantment to the view" — it is a close inspection that brings out the finer traits of its character. A son o? the G-ael, a lineal descendant of Callum More, gave it as his opinion that Port William was a second edition of the entrance to Oban, on the west coast of Scotland. One of Saxon extraction found features in the landscape forcibly reminding him of some favored spot in the south of England. Another, of the tribe of the O'Malley's, looked at Paterson's Inlet, and became sentimental about Dublin Bay. A fourth perfected his claims to social distinction by making similar allusions to the south of France, so that each appeared to view the scene admiringly although from different points. It cannot be denied that so far as the panoramic view is concerned, Stewart's Island at this place abounds in all those fine features usually associated with the picturesque in nature. The entire coast from Port William to Saddle Point is bold but not precipitous. The back country seems to rise with a gradual slope up towards the summit of Mount Anglem, and appears as far as the eye can distinguish to be thickly covered with bush. The coast line in various places tapers off into spurs, but from the appearance of I the country as seen through the recesses thus formed it is very doubtful indeed if any great extent of level land exists. The rocks and promontories scattered along the beach form all manner of fantastic shapes, many of them bearing startling resemblance to the outworks of a fortification. The timber upon the skirts of the bush is poor in growth and inferior in quality. In fact its claims are only a shade higher than that of the scrub. Further inland it is said to improve, but from the situation of the bush at this particular

place it is very questionable indeed if at any place it is quite equal to that of the average growths on the mainland. These remarks apply exclusively to the stretch of country known as the Saddle, and which terminates at the entrance to Port William. In the neighborhood of [ Paterson's Inlet the country becomes flatter, at all events more undulating, and the chances are that some good agricultural land will be opened in the vicinity. That opinion is borne out by Dr Hector, who states in his report that, generally speaking, on seramblingthrough the first belt of scrub, a sharp rise of 60 feet brings one on to a comparatively level tract of forest land. The inlet is upward 3of 14« miles long, and at one time two extensive saw mills were established in the neighborhood. Besides a neck ofland jutting out for a considerable distance , into the sea, its mouth is studded over i i with small islands, so that the inlet itself I becomes completely land-locked. Considerable patches of ground have been cleared, and some substantial-looking domiciles and steadings erected. The | Wallace proceeded only a very short distance up the inlet, as far as the fishing station recently erected on one of the afore-mentinned islands. This establish ment is situated in a well-sheltered nook, j The denizens of the station were hailed by those on board. They returned the salute by waving the steamer to a coni venient anchorage. The directions were i followed, but after reaching the place indicated, for some reason or another, those ' on board did not think fit to pull up, and the steamer put about and returned to Halfmoon Bay. Arriving there the anchor was dropped opposite what is i known as the G-ermans' settlement, and the passengers landed to get a ramble about | the place. The ground at the Germans' settlement is remarkably well cultivated. The fruit, flowers, vegetables, and crops generally are most luxuriant. Captain Harrold's well-known fishing station is situated more towards the entrance of the bay, and that of Mr Scollay at the extreme head. The latter is at present engaged building a craft, to be fitted up I with a well for the conveyance of live oysters to the mainland. The keel is 42 feet long, and nearly all the framework is completed. Jlata, or iron wood, which is plentiful in the neighborhood, is being used for the framework. The pine, likewise plentiful on the island, is to be used for planking We may state that some of Mr Scollay's , family were the first white children born on the island, and during the eleven years they have resided there they have enjoyed most excellent health. The beaches both of this and the other ! bays, carry a heavy deposit of black sand. Pcollay and his neighbors had an interview with the Superintendent on board the Wallace relative to the tenure of their holdings, which is understood to have been mutually satisfactory. An effort is likewise being made to get a school for the island, Halfmoon Bay being spoken of as the proposed site. The day was now pretty far advanced, and in accordance with a preconcerted signal, the passengers were recalled from their various rambles and pursuits. At 5 p.m. the Wallace steamed outside en route for Port William, where it was then understood she was to remain for the night. In cruising along the coast, a ' oinall boat was met, manned solely by j women — Maories and half-castes. The boat was hailed, and on getting alongside they were courteously invited on board. The ladies, however, were shy. Either they mistrusted the good intentions bestowed upon them, or else they were awed by the distinguished aspect of their would-be entertainers. A compromise was effected, and the small boat with its occupants towed along for some distance. The process, however, looked a perilous one, and to the evident relief of the females their boat was at length cast adrift. As the steamboat party did not hesitate to venture a few speculations regarding the ladies, it would be interesting to know what opinion the ladies formed regarding the steamboat party. Their conduct throughout showed that they entertained some lurking suspicions. Was it the result of natural timidity on the part of the females themselves, or was there something in the personal appear ance of the gentlemen present to suggest it ? It is just possible we may never know. At 6 p.m. the steamer dropped anchor in Port William. After the evening meal had been discussed, the passengers set out to enjoy themselves in accordance with their own tastes and predilections. The majority went ashore to examine the place, while others went out in the boats to fish. The scientific members of the party set to work eagerly. Judging from the amount of rock chipping and fossil gathering that went on, we should fancy that this is destined to become an interesting feature of the expedition. Just as every one had settled down to his own particular pursuit, the steam whistle sounded, and one boatful of passengers after another was conveyed on board. It now appeared that instead of waiting all night as was originally intended, and starting for Kiverton early in the morning, the steamer was to proceed direct to the Bluff that same night. A good deal of disappointment was felt, the more so when the fishing parties returned perfectly laden with their spoils. There was i no help tor it, however, and at 9.15 p.m. the anchor was again weighed, and the Wallace shaped her course for the Bluff. The wind had now fallen, and although the sea was still rough, the little steamer showed what she could do when she had anything like a slant. A few minutes past 11 she was abreast of the Bluff wharf, and although some of her passengers had suffered badly, they were all well pleased with their excursion. We may here add we have since ascertained that it has been definitely fixed that the first special settlement in Stewart's Island is to be planted in Port William, from which it is expected that in course of time the settlers themselves will i radiate to other parts of the island.