FOR CASTAWAYS. A VISIT TO THE THREE KINGS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1908, Page 7

FOR CASTAWAYS. A VISIT TO THE THREE KINGS.

[Bt Telegsaph. — SrEfliAL to Tnß Post.] AUCKLAND, This Day. Statements have found thsir way into print to tho effect that the depot on tho Three' Kings had been tampered with. Speaking to a Star representative, Mr. Percy Leigh, the diver in the lost Elingatnite specie-seeking expedition, gave an account of a recent visit to this islsnd. A few days prior to the return to Auckland an excursion visited tho big King in search of goatshootinff. Tho Wand is simply alivo with wildgoats, and in anticipation of good, sport tho party went ashore well provided with rations, rifles, and ammunition. Tho depot was then found to bs quite intact, and just as the^ Hinemoa had left it. The stores appeared to' be' in good condition. An iron building, 14 feet by 10 feet, and painted whito is u^ed for fctbring the- supplies ; a sign conveys the intelligence that the contents are "For tho uso of< castaways only."' Everything is complete for the sustenance of shipwreck survivors, the stores including cases of biscuits, tinned meats, matches, Dlankets, clothing, rifles and ammunition, fishing geiir, and so on. Instructions are also posted to oastaways to ignite fires, the lighthouse keepers at Capo Maria Van Dieman being directed to keep a continual, lookout for such a signal from the Three Kings. The whito depot is . discernible from the ocean on v,oth sides, and is accessible from either Nor' -west or Tasman Bays. The expedition party set up several finger posts, directing castaways which course to follow to reach the depot and the principal water holes. Though the. island abounds with goat life tho party failed to get much shooting owing to the difficulty in getting about, and tho fact" thai the goats made off at sight of the shooting party. Parrots of gorgeous plumage, unknown on th© mainland, were to be found. Lizards were about the only other form of animal life. There were myriads of sea birds, whilo fish may be caught off the rocks in any qunntity. Hapuka weighing as much ao 1741b are olsy sport, and castaways would have no trouble in replenishing- the larder at any time with many varieties of splendid fish.