The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8, 1865. ARRIVAL OF THE VICTORIA FROM THE AUCKLAND ISLES.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 783, 8 November 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8, 1865. ARRIVAL OF THE VICTORIA FROM THE AUCKLAND ISLES.

Her Majesty's Colonial steam sloop Victoria, Capt. Norman, lately despatched by the Government of Victoria to search the Auckland Isles for shipwrecked persons, arrived at Port Chalmers this morning from her errand of mercy. As soon as the steamer was signalled great excitement prevailed at Port Chalmers to learn the result of her voyage, it being expected she had put into port to land some passengers. The Victoria has brought tidings of no rescue of wretched castaways, but she brings the satisfactory intelligence that a careful search of all the islands in the group has not revealed the presence of a single living soul, nor evidence that their rocky shores have been the grave of the missing ships supposed to have been possibly wrecked there. The Victoria left Melbourne on the 4th =of October, and arrived off the principal island of the Auckland group on the 10th. By means of boats and land parties every bay and the whole coast line of this island for half a mile from the shore were carefully searched, but no sign of the presence of a livixxp; so-ul was discovered, nor any relics. While on the coast the Victoria , encountered four distinct heavy gales, j Left for Campbell's Island on the 23rd, t and examined its north-eastern and southwestern shores by three distinct parties, ' who also ascended the high mountains •which command a view of the whole coast and inland portion of the island But here, ;also, no evidence of human life was observable. Proceeding from Campbell's Island to Antipodes Island, a heavy gale compelled the Victoria to steam for shelter under its lee until the fury of the storm was- oyer. After one unsticcessful attempt to round the island, the gale moderated, and Captain Norman was enabled to examine the weather shore, which was done by beating about under double reefed storxn-sails to within a mile of the cliffs Every side of the island was examined, but no landing place was to be seen. The Victoria then proceeded to Bounty Island, which is more properly a collection of huge rocks than an island, upon which not a vestige of animal or vegetable life exists. Captain Norman, falling short of coal, bore up for this port, where, according to instructions issued by the Provincial Government, the Victoria will be coaled free of cost.

The Victoria was accompanied by Captain Musgrave of the Grafton, lately lost on th« Auckland group; and his description of the islands, as published in the public papers some time ago, was found very accurate. Nothing was found or seen beyond what had been already observed by Captain Musgrave; and it is hoped and believed his su;-.position-that other shipwrecked persons were on some of the islands is a mistaken one. In order, however, to complete his merciful errand, Captain Norman landed on the principal island a quantity of live stock, consisting of goats, pigs, fowls, and rabbits. Information was also posted in conspicuous places, that animals and provisions had been left, and where they were to be found. Should it happen that the searching parties have overlooked any portion of the island where shiprecked persons might be, there is the possibility that any such may discover evidences of the Victoria's visit, and hope for future rescue. No news of the steamer Southland is brought by the Victoria.