THE ANTARCTIC AND THE HINEMOA

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 41

THE ANTARCTIC AND THE HINEMOA

Bluff, May 19. Tho 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 the former's departure from tho Bluff to be lying at Hobart, whence she was to proceed to Auckland to take in coal ; even the name of tho firm that was to supply it had been telegraphed from the Northern city. As a consequence Captain Fairchild's energies were centred upon the performance of his task of erecting boatsheds, 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 whilo they were steaming along the northern side of Enderby Island Mr Gordon asked, " Is that not a flag pole on the ridge yonder ? " The skipper replied, " Yes, and there i 3 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 tho 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 the view. It was not until the Hinemoa had rounded the N.E. cape of Enderby and entered Port Ross that all doubts were set at rest.

Yes, there lay the 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, ae her sails were hanging

loose, and a shore party was in sight engaged in the harmless sport of rabbitshooting. A number of sea lions were lolling' about on the beach, mute witnesses to the forbearance of the first-comers. Some little time after the Hineirtoa 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 llobart on the 21st April, and had a stormy passage j 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 the 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, ho returned to the Antarctic.

The official interview took place later in the day. Captain Fairchild, accompanied by Messrs Joyce, Danby, Mcßeath, Gordon and Travers, went on board the Antarctic for the purpose of placing Captain Kristenson in possession of all necessary information regarding the 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 bo in a hurry to approach the subject that must have been uppermost in the 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 the animals, their former abundance, &c, the existence of a " close season" at the islands, Auckland, Campbell, etc., was intimated by Captain Fairchild. This was evidently new to Captain Kristenson, who, it should be stated, spoke through an interpreter (the second officer previously mentioned). He nodded, and remarked, " But it expires in Juno." Captain Fairchild explained that it would not do so, as beforo that time the proclamation would be renewed for a further period. " But what would be the charge (royalty or penalty may have been intended) if I took seals?"

On this Captain Fairchild produced the Gazette notice, and copies of tho Act relating to the Seal Fisheries. He pointed to the clauses relating to the illegal killing of seals or possession of sealskins, providing penalties of J 6500 for tho first, and .£2O for each additional seal, imprisonment in dofault, with seizure and confiscation of the vessel.

The Norwegian listened without tho slightest chango of feature to this, but was evidently relieved when Captain Fairchild went on to say that his communication was made in a friendly spirit, that the people of the 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 me as a friend rather than an enemy in this matter." This closed the formal business. Cigars and spirits were offered, and after some further general conversation, Captain Fairchild and party returned to the Hinemoa. The second meeting was in Carnley Harbour on Saturday, sth May. The Hinomoa's people have been very busy to-day putting up finger-posts, repairing and flooring boatshed, replenishing depots, &c. Meanwhile Messrs Gordon and Mcßeath and Mr Travers and son land, the latter in pursuit of rare birds, and the former two with the intention of satisfying themselves as to the pastoral capabilities of the island country. While thus engaged from the summit of the highest hill climbed, they perceive to their astonishment the topmast and wellknown "crow's nest" of the Antarctic, and presently make 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 their eyes have not 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. The courtesy is at onee responded to. No other communication between the vessels takes place, the Hinemoa steaming off to another part of the harbour to place more fmger-posts on tho North Arm of Carnley Harbour. Sunday, Oth May. To-day the Hinemoa being at anchor in the North Arm the Antarctic is observed in the afternoon to be steaming up from Camp Cove, and shortly before sundown drops anchor about half a mile to the westward. A boat is lowered from the 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 take seats at the 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 the 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 be understood that he intends, when the weather clears up, to make 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 si whaling ship fitted out expressly for Antartic or sub-Arctic regions. Monday, 7th May. Both vessels being aft anchor, Mr Danby visits the Antarctic iri the forenoon. While he is absent, about* 10.30, there is a strong and protracted shock of earthquake, with low rumblingsound continuing for tho space of half a minute.

The Hinemoa moved down to Camp Cora on Tuesday. Bth, at daybreak. This morning the Antarctic is seen to have got undor weigh and to stand out of the harbour. Tho Hinemoa. follows soon after. Outside tho Heads the Antarctic is seon away to tho south, steering apparently in tho direction of the Maequaries. The Hinemoa heads . north, looking in at the several bays and inlets for tho purpose of setting up more guide posts, and at and provisioning a new dep6t. Wednesday, Oth, storm stayed. Thursday, 10th, leave Norman Inlet, and return to Port Ross, placing guide posts by the way in posit ions that were either inaccessible or overlooked on the way down. The dep6ts, &c, at Port Boss found intact. Guide posts are planted on Ewing Island, and a boat found on the beach at Kokeno Inlet. Landed hero and built a shod over it.