THE ANTARCTIC AND THE HINEMOA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1160, 25 May 1894, Page 35

THE ANTARCTIC AND THE HINEMOA.

By Telegraph.—Press Associat ion. 13luff, May 19. The meeting with the Antarctic took place on Tuesday, Ist May, at Port Ross, Enderby Island. The rencontre was wholly unexpected by those on board the Hinemoa, as the Norwegian was reported on the morning of tho former’s departure from tho Bluff to be lying at Hobart, whence she was to proceed to Auckland to tako in coal; oven the name of the firm that was to supply it had been telegraphed from the Northern city. As a consequence Oaptain Fairchild’s energies wero centred upon the performance of his task of erecting boatslieds, provision depots, finger-posts, &c. This did not prevent him from keeping a sharp look-out for anything unusual while passing from point to point. Thus it happened that while they wero steaming along the northern side of Enderby Island Mr Gordon asked, “ Is that not a flag pole on the ridge yonder ? ” Tho skipper replied, “ Yes, and there is a crow’s nest on it too.” Presently a second pole was seen, and then followed the exclamation, “ Tho Antarctic.” That vessel was in fact at anchor off Sandy Bank, Port Ross, on the other side of the island, and her masthead showed over the intervening land, but only for a few minutes. As the steamer went past higher land shut out tho view. It was not until the Ilinomoa had rounded the N.E.

capo of Enderby and entered Port Ross that all doubts wero set at rest.

Yes, there lay tho cause of so much excitement and diplomatic negotiations snugly at anchor. Her arrival had evidently preceded that of the Hinemoa by a few hours only, as her sails were hanging loose, and a shore party was in sight engaged in tho harmless sport of rabbitshooting. A number of sea lions were lolling about on the beach, mute witnesses to the forbearauee of the first-comers. Some little time after the Hinemoa dropped anchor a couple of cable lengths off the Norwegian, a boat from the latter came alongside. The officer in charge, the second mate, was received by Captain Fairchild, and in good English replied to the question asked, “ Yes, they left Hobart on the 21st April, and had a stormy passage ; had to lay to for 48 hours; had no idea of Captain Kristenson’s intentions, but knew he wished to send letters, and to be reported by the Hinemoa.”

After some furthei conversation, in the course of which he was informed that according to tho law the “ close season ” applied to all kinds of seals and not alone to the fur seal, a statement he received with a look of surprise, he returned to the Antarctic.

The official interview took place later in the day. Captain Fairchild, accompanied by Messrs Joyce, Danby, Mcßeath, Gordon and Trayers, went on board the Antarctic for the purpose of placing Captain Kristenson in possession of all necessary information regarding tho New Zealand law relating to the seal fisheries. He was received on the quarter-deck with marked courtesy and, after a brief preliminary^conversation

was invited into the cabin. Neither party appeared to be in a hurry to approach tho subject that must have been uppermost in tho mind of either. But at length, after a good deal of talk on whaling and sealing generally, the season’s movements, and the chief haunts of tho animals, their former abundance, Ac., tho existence of a “ closo season ” at tho islands, Auckland, Campbell, etc., was intimated by Captain Fairchild. This was ovidently new to Captain Kristenson, who, it should bo stated, spoke through an interpreter (tho second officer previously mentioned). Ho nodded, and remarked, “ But it expires in Juno.” Captain Fairchild explained that it would not do so, as beforo that time tho proclamation would bo renowed for a further poriod. “ But what would bo tho charge (royalty or penalty may have been intended) if I took Beals?”

On this Captain Fairchild produced tho Gazette notice, and copies of the Act relatting to tho Seal Fisheries. He pointed to tho clauses relating to the illegal killing of seals or possession of sealskins, providing penalties of .£SOO for tho first, and -£2O for each additional soal, imprisonment in default, with soizuro and confiscation of the vessel.

Tho Norwegian listened without tho slightest change of feature to this, but was evidently relieved when Captain Fairchild Avent on to say that his communication was made in a friendly spirit, that tho people of tho Colony would be glad to hear of Captain Kristenson’s success in whaling or Antarctic sealing, but that the regulations by which they bound themselves must be respected by others. “In short,” added the captain, " I wish you to look on mo as a friend rather than an enemy in this matter.” This closed tho formal business. Cigars and spirits woro offered, and after some further general conversation, Captain Fairchild and party returned to tho Hinemoa. The second meeting was in Carnloy Harbour on Saturday, sth May. Tho Hinemoa’s peoplo have been very busy to-day putting up finger-posts, repairing and flooring boatshed, replenishing depots, Ac. Meanwhile Messrs Gordon and Mcßeath and Mr Travers and son land, the latter in pursuit of rare birds, and tho former two with the intention of satisfying themselves as to tho pastoral capabilities of tho island country. While thus engaged from the summit of tho highest hill climbed, they perceive to their astonishment the topmast and wellknown “crow’s nest” of tho Antarctic, and presently mako her out to be entering Carnley Harbour under easy steam. Their report on returning shortly after noon is received with incredulous smiles, but it is soon seen that tlioir eyes have nob deceived them, for immediately after steaming out of the land-locked arm of the harbour into the more open portion, the Norwegian, lying at anchor in Camp Cove, becomes visible. His ensign is immediately hoisted in recognition, and that of the Hinemoa dipped. Tho courtesy is at once responded to. No other communication between the vessels takes place, the Hinemoa steaming off to another part of the harbour to place more finger-posts on the North Arm of Carnloy Harbour. Sunday, 6tli May. To-day tho Hinemoa being at anchor in the North Arm tho Antarctic is observed in tho afternoon to be steaming up from Camp Cove, and shortly before sundown drops anchor about half a mile to tho westward. A boat is lowered from tho Norwegian and brings Captain Kristenson and his second mate. They are received by Captain Fairchild, and place in his charge letters to be posted on arrival at the mainland. At his invitation they tako seats at tho tea table and enter freely into conversation, but rather it seemed with a view to acquiring than imparting information. Captain Fairchild is at pains to again impress on his visitors that the killing of sea lions or fur seals is prohibited; that tho sheep and goats having been landed for the benefit of castaways should be left unmolested, and the provision depots left intact for a like reason; but that pigs and rabbits may be regarded as common property. Captain Kristenson acquiesces. In further conversation he gives it to bo understood that ho intends, when the weather clears up, to mako for Campbell Island, with what purpose is not clearly explained, but inferentially it is gathered that the design is to form an estimate of the island's suitability as a base of operations for next season’s work on the verge of, or within the Antarctic Circle. It is quite dark before Captain Kristenson returns to his ship, having previously invited Mr Danby to come on board the following morning, the latter having expressed a wish to post himself up in the internal economy of a whaling ship fitted out expressly for Autarkic- or sub-Arctic regions. Monday, 7th May. Both vessels being at anchor, Mr Danby visits tho Antarctic in the forenoon. While he is absent, about 10.30, there is a strong and protracted shock of earthquake, with low rumbling sound continuing for the space of half a minute.

The Hinemoa moved down to Camp Core on Tuesday, Bth, at daybreak. This moaning tho Antarctic is seen to have got under weigh and to stand out of tho harbour. The Hinemoa follows soon after. Outside the Heads the Antarctic is seen away to the south, steering apparently in the direction of the Macquaries. The Hinemoa heads north, looking in at tho several bays an& inlets for the purpose of setting up more guide posts, and at Norman Inlet building and provisioning a new dep6t. Wednesday, 9th, storm stayed. Thursday, 10th, leave Norman Inlet, and return to Port Ross, placing guide posts by the way in positions that were either inaccessible or overlooked on the way down. The depdts, &c., at Port lioss found intact. Guide posts are planted on Ewing Island, and a boat found on the beach at Kekeno Inlet. Landed hero and built a shed over it.