THE ANTARCTIC AND THE HINEMOA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2211, 21 May 1894, Page 2

THE ANTARCTIC AND THE HINEMOA.

EXPLANATIONS. WARNINGS. VIGILANCE. By Telegraph,—Press Association, Bl.u L'P, Slay 19. The meeting with the Antarctic took place on Tuesday, Ist May, at Port Boss, 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 the Bluff to be lying at Hobart, whence she was to proceed to Auckland to take in coal; even the name of the 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, Ac. 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 were steaming along ‘ the' northern side Of Enderby Island Mr Gordon asked, “ Is that not a flagpole onthe ridge yonder?'? " The skipper replied, “ Yes, and there is a crow’s nest' on i£ too.” r - Presently a seopnd pole was spen, and thtn foUoW«4 the exclamation, “ The Antarctic.” That vessel was in fact at anchor off Sandy Bapk, Bqrt Boss, on the other side of th'e island,'and her masthead'showed over the 'ipterveping but Qnly’fqr a feiv'njihntes. Aa thp steamer 'went past higher land shut put the view- It was notnntil the Hinemoa had rounded the N.E. cape of Enderby and entered Port Boss 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, as 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 Hinemoa droppec anchor, a couple of cable lengths off tht .Norwegian, a boat from the latter came alongside. The officer in charge, th( second mate, was received by Captair Fairchild, and in good English replied t< the question asked, “Yes, they left Hobarl on the 21st April, and had a stormy pas sage ; had to lay to for 48 hours;. had nc idea" of Captain Kristenson’s intentions but knew he'wished‘ to send’letters, and tc be reported by the HiAernda.” ■ •' • ’ •''After some 1 further conversation, in the course 1 of which he has informed that according to the law the " close Season ” applied to all kinds of seals and not alone tt the fur seal, he received'With A'Took'’of ” : returned' to ihe •' - ‘ ' 1 ' The" oUloial interview: toqk place later, in fthe day. .' Captain Fairchild, accompanied iby Messrs Joyce, llanby, Mcßeath, Gordon and Travers, went bn board the Antarctic for the purpose of placing Captain Kristen: son rq possession Of all necessary informatiqn reghfejing' the bfery Zealand lavy relating to the eeql He was - received op't.liO with marked courtesy and, after a brief preliminary conversation, wa§ inyitqd into tlio cabin, Neither party appeared to he ip a hurry to approach tbf) shbieef that must have bean upper-jpest Ip thg mpd of oitbßP Jlpt at length, after a goo'd'daal of tow qn apif pealing 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 near to Captain Eristqnsqn, wbo/ it should frs siatsd/snQko' thrqpgh'an interpfefe'r' ' second qfliQef pEbviously mentioned)! He ' nodded, * and ‘remarked, “';i!ut it expires in June.” ' C.-ipihih Fairchild explained thatdt would not do so, ps bpfqfb ffiat infj’ip flic proclamation wquld b© renewed tqf a‘fprtnqr pefiqd; ‘ f‘‘ But what wj»nld Pq the charge (royalty or penalty may have been intended) if I took seals?”

On this Captain Fairchild produced the Gazette notice, and copies of the Act relate ting to the Seal Fisheries- lie pointed to the clauses relating to the illegal killing of seals qp sealskins, providing penalties pf r|qQO for the firqt, apd £2O fop each additional seal, imprisonment in default, with sqirure ppd qqni}S«qtiQn Of tbe vessel, The Norwegian listened without the slightest change of feature to this, hut was evidently relieved when Captain Fairchild wont 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, hut 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 Pairchild and party returned to the Hinemoa. ~, The second, meeting ,was in Carnley Harbour on Saturday, sth May.- Tbe Ilmcmoa’s people have been vqry busy to-day putting -n finger-posts, repairing and flooring boatshed, repienmiiJe ~? 6ts : .Meanwhile Messrs Gordon and Mcßeath and Mr Travers quef sqf} jam?, m ?aft£F 13 s!!*«s of rare birds, apd $0 fw<{ intention satisfying themselves as .to the pastoral capabiliti eg of the island ppnn&y. While fhus'engaged from the summit of the highest hill climbed, tb e y Eqrpoiyo fq their astonishment the topmast apd 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 ft is soon seen that their eyes have not deceived them, for immediately after steaming out of the laud-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 recognition, and that of the Hinemoa dipped. The courtesy is at once responded-to,* No other communication bet fwcun this VessOh inkcspineo,Vti*e Hinemoa 6teaming off to another part of (he harbour tq place more finger-posts bn the North Arm of Carnley Harbour, ’ Sunday, (sth May, To-day the Hinemoa being-.at anchor in the North Arm the Antarctip jg observed ip the afternoon to he steaming up from Camp Clove, and shortly before sundown drops anphor 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 invita- * tion they take seats at the tea table and 1 after freely into conversation, but rather ■

it seomed 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 lauded for the benefit of castaways should be left unmolested, and the provision depflts 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 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 a whaling ship fitted out expressly for Antartic or sub-Arctic regions. Monday, 7th May. Both vessels being at anchor, Mr Danby visits the 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 apace of half a minute.

The Hinemoa moved down to Camp Cove on Tuesday, Sth, at daybreak. This morning the Antarctic is seen to have got under weigh and to stand out of the 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 the several bays and 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 depots, &c., at Port Ross found intact. Guide posts are planted on Ewing Island, and a boat found on the beach at Eokeno Inlet. Landed here and built a shed over it.