THE ANNEXATION OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 30

THE ANNEXATION OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS.

(united press association.) Auckland, September 1. The formal annexation of the Kermadec Islands is an accomplished fact. Messrs Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General, and T. F. Cheeseman, curator of the Auckland Museum, have returned to Auckland, having left the Stella at Kaipara. They report that the steamer reached Sunday Island on the 15th of August, and remained there till the 22rd. During the whole of that time Messrs Cheeseman and Smith were engaged in exploring and surveying the island, while CaptaiD Jbairohild took a series of soundings with a view to the preparation of a chart. An easterly wind was prevailing, and the Stella had to shift her position several times for the benefit of shelter. The ceremony of annexing the group was performed at Sunday Island, on the 17th August. The New Zealand fLg being hoisted, aud the mation of the Governor read, Mr Haszard, who accompanied the party, took a photograph' of the scene. Mr Cheeseman has brought back with him about 115 kinds of flowering plants and forns which were found at Sunday Island, and at least three-fourths of these are specimens found in New Zealand vegetation. The island is wholly covered with forest.