THE EXPEDITION TO THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

West Coast Times, Issue 75, 25 November 1865, Page 3

THE EXPEDITION TO THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

(From the " Olago Times," Nov. 9.)

H.M. Colonial ■war-steamer Victoria, Commander Norman, arrived here yesterday morning, from her expedition to tho Auckland Islands, in Beaich of shipwrecked persons who, it -was supposed, might be on these islands. The result of the voyage is that no person has been found on tho Auckland group, or upon any of the others visited by Commander Norman ; nor was any trace of shipwreck discovered beyond what has already been reported by Captain Musgravo, who commanded the Grafton at tho time of her wreck. That gentleman accompanied the expedition ; and wo hear that ho thoroughly agrees in tho conclusion that there can b«j no living person on the groups of islands visited or skirted during the Victoria's cruise, The Victoria left Melbourne on tho 4th October, and arrived at the Auckland Islands on the 10th. A search of the north-western shores of the main island was commenced on the 11th, and was continued until the 14th, when tho ship was anchored in Ross or Lowry Harbor, tho sight of the once Enderby settlement. There the search was vigorously continued ; and tho remains of the man found and buried by Captain Musgravo were exhumed. Tho object was to ascertain, by an examination of the skull, &c, whether thero were any signs of the deceased's death having been caused by violence, but no euch sign was found. Enderby Island was next visited, and tho search was then continued round the western and south-western shores of tho Auckland Island ; tho ship being held from Jmlf-a-milo to a mile off tho shore, and a Bharp look-out kept for anything like a landing place. Nothing of the kind could be discovered — only almost perpendicular cliffs met the eye. Carnley's Harbor was entered by the westerly entrance, and every arm of the placo was searched. For 15 days there was a succession of very heavy gales ; but every possible interval between these was used by three parties who landed and ascended different mountains whence good views inland were obtained. Here, as elsewhere, nothing was discovered to indicate the presence of human beings on tho island. During daytime, while making the circuit of the group, guns were fired every two or three hours ; and at eight, blue lights were burned and rockets thrown up. The same things were done in the subsequent searches at other groups of islands. But to make assurance doubly sure that tho Victoria should bring relief to any shipwrecked men on the Auckland Isles, if it can bo conceived that any there arc, numerous pigs, fowls, &c, were put ashore, together with a stock of provisions ; and at different points notices were erected stating where the latter would be fflund, and by wboin they had been landed. Leaving the Auckland Islands, tho Victoria was steered S.^.E. to Campbell Island. Tho search thero was commenced on tho N.E, sido ; nnd as tho weather was very unsettled, three parties were again sent on shore, and they made their way in different directions, to points whence the breadth of the island and the bays on its westerly side could be overlooked. Again everyone returned with the conviction that thero was nothing human and alive on the island. Thence a course was shaped N.E. for Antipodes Island, which lies about 179J E. ; aud tho island was reached just in time to encounter a very severe gale. During its great fury, Hie ship was kept as snug as possible under the leo of the island ; and afterwards, under very light sail she was taken round so that tho shores could be examined at a distance of not more than a mile. No harbor, not an inlet, or a trace of a landing placo could be discovered. The cliffs are nearly all perpendicular, and 600 feet or 600 feet high, with deep water close up. There are a few small islets, but all of them are •within a mile of the shore ; and nothing like a real danger to a vessel passing tho island could be seen. Soundings were taken, nnd 60 fathoms of water found close to the rocks. The Victoria now proceeded about due north to what is called Bounty Island — in reality a group of rocks without a sign of vegetation, and ■with various outlying dangers to navigation. The group appears from the atlas to be in about 47 deg. S. (or as nearly as possible in the parallel of tho South end of Stewart's Island), and 179 deg. E. After examining the group as closely as possible during Sunday last, the Victoria started on Monday morning for Port Otafco, coala and provisions being needed. These the Provincial Government have directed to be supplied, no doubt on the statement which we havo athoritntively published, that the General Government desired that such aid should be given, at whatever poit in the colony tho Victoria might touch.