FLOATING ISLANDS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 832, 1 July 1871, Page 2

FLOATING ISLANDS.

The following is from a late num. of the Gipps Land " Times ":—'• As one of the Gipps Land S earn Navigation Company's steamers was crossing Lake Wellington, the man at the wheel suddenly observed land right in the track of the steamer, apparently only a short distance from the straits, separating Lakes Wellington and Victoria. He called the captain's attention to the strauge sight, and on coming up close, the land was discovered to be a small island about thirty yards in length by about twenty broad. It was covered with a rich coating of luxuriant grass, and small trees, tea tree, and bush shrubs ap. peared to be "growing in profusion. The onlb occupants of this remarkable selection were a few pigs, feediii" away contentedly, apparently enjoying their novel journey by water. A second island of the same discription, only smaller, was noticed a little further on, but this had evidently detached itself from the larger piece of land, or most probably had been separated by the rooting depredations of the porkers. From what portion of the mainland this floating island, came, is of course a matter of conjecture, but it is known that a portion of the island at Marley Point, on tho southern shore of Lake Wellington, became detached recently, and floated miles across the lake, with some twenty or thirty head of pigs aboard. As long as the wind drove it the island drifted towards M'Lennon's Straits; but a three days' trip, within a mile frjm the spot from which it had broken away. We believe it is the opinion of Mr District Surveyor Dawson that the area of the Roseneath run, west of Lake Wellington, has been increased by some twenty or thirty acres by the addition of drift islands.