THE MARTIN'S BAY SETTLEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2559, 20 April 1870, Page 2

THE MARTIN'S BAY SETTLEMENT.

(BY OUlt SPECIAL IMPORTER.) TIIE FA UNA. Tho district of Martin's Bay, so far ns I could soo and loam, is singularly devoid of land mammalia. During the entire time I was thero I did not come across an animal of any kind, nor did I hear of any person who had. Considering the great quantity of fern growing in the district, it is somewhat to be wondered at that I native pigs, which congregate in vast numbers in some of the valleys of New Zealand, are not to be found there. 1 believe they exist on the coast sido of the ranges which divide the Hollyford Valley from Milford Sound, but neither along the Hollyford, nor yet down the Iloutebum or Dart Valleys did I see any traces of them. At a distance of about fourteen or fifteen miles up the first named river, 1. saw two holes, which I took to be those of rats, but as they were in broken ground, it is possible they might be those of kiwis or kakapos, whicli birds are rarely found except in country of that description. Seals are sometimes fouud on the rocky bluffs along the coaat, and in the inland lakes and rivers a large otter, the Waitoreke of the Maoris, is said to exist. Whilst living on the sand bank at the mouth of tho river I saw several scorpions, resembling those of Australia, but smaller, in thousand. They appeared to be pretty numerous at that place, but whether they were venomous or not I had no opportunity of judging, as no one was stung by them. The bay and mouth of the river abound with fiah, some of which come np to where the water is only slightly brackish. Blue and rock cod, trumpeter, barracouta, soldier fish, firemen, the latter somewhat resembling mullet, sea perch, and cray fish can be readily caught, and most of them are excellent eating. Mussels of large size, and mutton fish (Haliotis), are also found in large numbers among the kelp washed up on the beach. The only fresh water fish 1 saw in Lake M'Kerrow and the Hollyford river were flounders and whitebait (Electrio), the latter called Inangas by the Maoris; although I believe that eels of very large size are numerous in the lakes. Some of the streams, the Hokuri Creek for instance, would be admirably adapted for trout. The flies are very numerous, comprising sandflies, mosquitoes,'and large blowflies. The two former are great pests, and the latter are exceedingly troublesome, depositing their larvse on blankets and clothing, as well as on food to which they can gain access. The birds are alsc very numerous, and comprise very many varieties. The most remarkable is the kiwi (Apteryx), a small bird of the ostrich family (Struthionidae). They have no wings, or rather what wings they have are merely rudimentary, ard they therefore cannot fly. The feathers are long and very narrow, and are greatly prized by the Maoris, who use them for making their best mats. This singular bird is rarely seen except at night, as during the daj it hides itself in a hole in the rough ground in the birch forests. The kakapo, a night parrot (Strujops habroptilus), is a kind of yellowish green owl, also making its nest in a hole in the ground, and coming out at night. I was not so fortunate as to see specimens of either of these birds during my visit to the Martin's Bay territory, although I frequently heard them at night, the kiwi having a peculiar cry, sounding something like its name; and the kakapo a harsh screech unlike the cry of any other bird. The natives and settlers catch these birds with dogs and by means of snares—generally a thread of flax with a running noose tied to the end of a stick. Another bird which is caught in the same way, is the wood hen, or as it is usually called the Maori hen—the Weka of the Maoris (Ocydrorrms Australis). a kind of rail. The bush abounds with large wood pigeons, called by the Maoris kuku (CarpophagaNovaeZealandiae), thrushes {Turnagra crassirostris), kakarika parrots, starlings (Aplonis), moreporks, crows, and tms, or parson birds, so called from the double white throat tuft, not unlike clerical bands (Prosthemadera Novce Zealandim). There are also several species of small birds, larks and finches, and the New Zealand robin, a black bird with a white breast, is rarely harmed, being a great favourite from itstameness and confidence in man. It may be seen hopping all about the settlement. On one occasion, when in the bush, one of these pretty birds perched on my gun, and rarely did I camp without two or three of them coming round, and inquisitively scanning me and my proceedings, with their curious black eyes. The aquatic birds are very numerous, and afford fine sport. They comprise herons, cranes, blue, grey, and paradise ducks, teal, plover, redbills, and cormorants. Round the coast are the usual sea-birds.-albatrosses, petrels, white and grey gulb, and Cape- pigeons. I saw a few small moths, common grey and black ones, and several dragon flies, butnone that called tor particular notice.

settlement and settlers. Tke settlement at Martin's Bay is, I think, destined to be a successful undertaking. It may be a work of time, but I believe that the district contains the elements of a large and prosperous township and surrounding agricultural nei"hbourhood. There are, however, numerous difficulties to be overcome before that desirable issue can come to pass. At the lower end of the lake, on the banks of the lower, and all along the upper Hollylord, there is plenty of good land, but it is all heavily overgrown with timber ; and before it is at all available it needs clearing—a work of time and expense I am inclined to think that the country with proper tillage, will produce any kind of crops, but the land must first be properly treated, and the soil sweetened by being broken up and exposed to the air. Ihe timber itself, which, to the settler, is now the great incubus, might be made a source of income, for it is there of the best kind and quality, and in any quantity. Were saw mills established on the shores of the lake, there would be no lack of material for many years to come ; and what is a matter of no small consequence vessels of moderate size, drawing say' eight or nine feet of water, could convey it right away from the mills to the market, wherever that might be. lam inclined to think that this ought to be the first step towards making the settlement at Martin's Bay a large and prosperous one. I do not know sufficient of

the timber trado to argue tho matter of profit and loss, pro and con, but merely point out that tho timber is thero in abundance, that thero is plenty of available wator power, and that there is every facility for shipment. Tho wold bearing capabilities of tho district are, as yet, bufc little known. Beyond tho fact that a few prospectors havo obtained the precious metal, in and about tho neighbourhood, we havo no reliable data. Wo may express our opinion, based on the formation of tho country and the appearance of tho creeks, and the geological structure of the surrounding ranges ; but of th* practical value of the auriferous deposit, presuming it to exist, we know next to nothing. Gold has been obtained in Big Bay, and is known to exist along the coast northward. It has also, as late intelligence informs us, been found on the eastern sido of the dividing range, and tho whote valley of the Hollyford, and the beds of its tributary streams, have the appearance of gold bearing country. Nothing, however, less than absolu'e prospecting will decide the question, and not until this fine river has been properly tried, and the real bottom, which, aa I havo said before, I believe lies deep, is found, will gold mining be a profitable calling at Martin's Bay. At present, I candidly confess, I do not see how this is to be dono. In order to induce miners to try tho place, it is necessary in the first placo that they should know that when there they can obtain provisions. They cannot do so now, and unless they take supplies round with them by steamer, those going over must starve, or live on what the bush will afford them, inasmuch as it is practically impossible for persons going overland to take with them much more than will be necessary for the journey. Since my arrival at Queerstown, I have spoken to scores of men, miners and others, many of whom have expressed a desire to go to the new settlement, and, almost without exception, one of the first questions they have'put to me has been, " Are there any means of getting provisions there ?" I have had, of course, to answer in the negative. To persons going over for the purpose of settlement, sufficient will have been said to show them that they must calculate the cost before taking up land for agricultural purposes at Martin's Bay. The ground entails much hard labour to be expended on it in the way of clearing, before it can be available for cultivation, and men must live in the meantime. If, however, they can weather the difficulty and delay, their crops will, I confidently believe, amply repay them for their trial, and I have little hesitation in affirming that with men of the right pioneer stamp, the new settlement at Martin's Bay will, ere long, become one of the brightest jewels fn Otago's crown ; what is now a wild and almost impassable bush, will be dotted with smiling homesteads, and the dark and tangled forest covered flats be transformed into verdant meadows, and fields of golden grain.