THE STELLA'S MISSION.

North Otago Times, Volume 1552, Issue XXVI, 11 April 1877, Page 2

THE STELLA'S MISSION.

Wo ("Dally Times") have been favored )>y Uaptiiiu JohnHton, of the Colonial (Jovornniont Btoainor Stella, with a fow iutorosting jottlngi rolativo to her inovomontH to the ■otithward. It will bo remembered that tlio Stella wont south to convoy from the IMuff ft tmantlty of material for the erection of lighthouses ftt Contro Island and Puynogur Point. As o»n be «een by the annoxed report, she Ims almost completed her mission. Captain Johnson's letter is dated Bluff, April <ith. Ho nays:— "l have made two trips to Contro Island and two to Puysegur Point, and landed at oaoh plaoo about 00,000 ft. of timber, 12 men, cart homos, food, cement, corrugated Iron, bolts, rails, &c, and am now taking in my last load for both places j will loavo horo tomorrow morning, and hope to return on Monday or Tuesday, and then lnpo to loavo for Port Chalmors tho same day. The cargo I am now shipping will comprise 25,000 ft. of timber, 0000 bricks, liouho blooki, comont, load, &o. Tho contraotors for tho orootion of tho two lighthousos are Messrs Royal and Birss, of InvarvnrgUl, and thfiy expeot to completo thorn by Ootobor, and, in that case, tho lights will bo exhibited soon afterwards. I may atnte that wo inuurrod no slight risk and troublo in landing the material at Contro Inland. Tho timber had to bo formed into rafts alongaldo a boat fast to an anchor, laid well out. Thou tho boat was cased away to tho edgo of tho surf, and tho rafts hauled ono aftor the other through tho aurf to tho beach. Tho anohorago off tho landing plaoo is not safe 1 for strangors. I discovered a small sunkon rook with only thrco foot upon it at low water springs. There woro six fathoms wator on its outer Bido, and botweon it and the land is a four fathom ohannol. I havo surveyed these anchorages. Tho material for Puysegur Point was landod at Otago's Uotreat, a snug Anchorago in fino woather for modoratosi/.od vosbolh, but a doubtful security during S.VV. galoß, which blow direct in. Tho lauding placo i« skirtod by rooks, uncovered at low wator, and throuaU thorn a ohannol is now boing construotod by blastinu. Tho channel will groatly loason tho risk to boats landing." Tills is tho substanco of Captain JohnHon'a communication, and wo may add that tlto Htollft loft tho Bluff on her last trip to Oontre Island and Puysogur Point on Thursday lant.