THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 63, 17 May 1866, Page 3

THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

We have been favored with the following information respecting these islands and their inhabitants by a gentleman who has returned in the St. Kilda, ■which we have much pleasure in publishing : — " After three days very pleasantly passed on board the good little steamer St. Kilda, Captain Kennedy, we sighted the S.W. point of Wharekauri, or the Great Chatham Island, called Bishop's Point, from the resemblance of two particular formed rocks to a Bishop's mitre. We then coasted northward till we arrived at the roadstead of Waitangi, where we dropped anchor. This bay is beautifully formed, having on one side richly colored red clifts, and on. the other a fine hard sandy beach, which extends for some miles. Tlia anchorage is considered safe except in gales from N.W., in which case vessels can easily run for the small part of Tongaroa, about 13 miles across the bay, where there is always good anchorage and plenty of good water. The settlement of Waitangi is the largest on the island, the others being Oenga, Whangiroa, and Pitt's Island. The principal native chiefs, Toenga, Kopi, and Tungari, reside at Waitangi. I have seen no native pa in New Zealand which can compare with this one for building, cleanliness, and good order. The houses instead of being huddled together as is generally the case, are built with some regard to neatness and regularity. There is also a very handsome church, which' has lately been extensively repaired, and towards which Captain Thomas, R.M. — "who, I may here observe, appears to have won the respect of all about him— has contributed a neat little bell tower. Service is conducted -with great regularity every morning and evening, of which the bell gives* due notice. The kindly reception given to us by these natives was very gratifying. The Maori population is about 380, in addition to a remnant of the original race of Morioris, amounting to 120. These latter resemble the Maori, but are, I should say, rather inferior both in appearance and intellect. The Chatham Islands, judging by what I have been able to see of them are most valuable. The country is generally low, but beautifully undulating, consisting partly of rich red volcanic soil admirably adapted for wheat ; and partly of an admixture of black peat and sand, which the natives seem to prefer on account of the greater facility in working it. There is abundance of wood for fuel, but little or none for building purposes. The material chiefly used for building is the fern tree, which grows in great abundance, and the stems of which, when neatly put. together, and, as in some instances, plastered with lime, form a very substantial and lasting structure The streams, of which there are several, are well stocked with eels of a superior quality ; and one large lake or lasjoon, a few miles from Waitangi, abounds in fish of various kinds. Cattle and horses are numerous, the former in some parts of the island being quite in a wild state, and only to be got by the rifle. The country is well adapted for sheep, although as yet there are not many, owing probably to the expense and risk of shipping them. For fruit and vegetable-growing the climate is all that can be desired, with the exception of the grape, for which there is not sufficient heat. There is not the smallest appearance of blight— either in fruit or vegetable ; and lam told that gooseberry s. currants, &c, grow to a very large size. I should say from certain indications that iron, and not improbably, coai, may yet be found, but this remains to be proved."— Hawks Bay Herald.