THE HUNTERS OF KING'S ISLAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4140, 27 June 1874, Page 3

THE HUNTERS OF KING'S ISLAND.

Some curiosity has naturally been excited as to the life anil habits of those who are described as hunters on King's Island, where the wreck of the ship British Admiral lately occurred. Of this strange community, and of other characteristics of the island, some description has been given by the correspondents of the Melbourne papers who proceeded thither by the steamer Pharos. "We quote the following from the narrative given by the reporter for the Arje: — On both New Year's Islands there are abundance of game and thousands of mutton birds, which deposit their eggs here in season. Quail are very plentiful, and the creviced rocks which encircle it are teeming with crayfish, which are caught by regular traders and brought to Melbourne for sale. The soil on New Year's Island is also very good, and cabbages, turnips, and carrots, grow there in abundance. Between the island and the mainland there is excellent shelter, where small craft can go in in any weather. Here is situated the Yellow Rock, where are the dwellings of some of the hunters who, with their numerous train of dogs, run clown the small brush kangaroo, and the wallaby, whose skins realise 255. and 275. Gd. per dozen in the Tasmanian and Melbourne markets. The tents, nets, and fishing gear of the men who keep the fishing ketch Kangaro o regularly supplied with fish are kept here in huts. In fact, with the exception of the houses of the lighthouse keepers and their wives, this is the only part of King's Island where there are any traces of civilisation. The hunters cultivate small patches of ground with moderate success, and without the cost of much labor.

While we were at our camp fire Messrs. Watt and Hickmott arrived from the northern part of the island, and gave us some interesting particulars of Kiug's Island. The hunters dwelling near the lighthouse are married men, living with their wives and families ; and they seem more cultivated and intelligent than the single men at Currie Harbor. Ono of the Currie's Harbor men threatened to kill and bury Parlane, Mr. Hammond's boatman. Mr. Hammond, the Custom House Officer, will certainly havo no easy time of it down there until the parties who purchase the wreck put in an appearance. All attempts which have been made to depasture sheep and cattle on the island havo failed owing to the presence of a poisonous tare or creeper resembling a wild pea. The cattle partake freely of this weed, which has a maddening effect upon them. Their insanity becomes worse each succeeding day until the animal dies off suddenly. After we had thoroughly examined the coast line for bodies of the drowned on the Friday afternoon, wo parted from Mr. Hammond and his Customs men, and sailed out to the Pharos, which was boarded about half-past four o'clock. The whale-boat then returned to the shore to take some stores to Mr. Hammond, who seems to havo not been sufficiently provided for. For a fortnight he was limited to two pounds of tea and two pounds of sugar, with a very small supply of beef. The captain of the Pharos left enough of everything in the way of edibles to servo them for three or four weeks. The result of the trip has been the full knowledge of this most dangerous part of the Australian coast, and it is now certain that a lighthouse there is an absolute necessity. It is agreed on all sides that the west coast of King's Island otight to havo a lighthouse. Tho most suitable point would be that piece of high land jutting out into tho sea at tho southern boundary of Pitzmaurice Bay. Vessels could then see both lights at some distance out to sea. The new light would act as a beacon to warn mariners to keep clear of tho dangerous reefs lying hero, and vessels going to the Bouth of the island would also bo guided by the light.