SEARCHING FOR CASTAWAYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12565, 20 January 1903, Page 4

SEARCHING FOR CASTAWAYS.

On Saturday H.M.S Archer returned to Lyttelton after making a periodical visit to the Southern Islands. The vessel left L; r tt«lton on January 6, and touched at tho Snaros, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, and Bounty Wands. The visit' was made for the purpose of inspecting boats and- provision depots, which are situated at different plaoss on those islands for tho us© of shipwrecked mariners and others who limy be cast away on any of them. Messrs Scott and Degaramham, two passengers, were embarked for Campbell Island. The Snares wero reached at 6.30 p.m. on January 8. There was no signs of any castaways, and the Archer left for Auckland Island nt 8 p.m. tho same day. The island was reached at 4 pim. on January 9. Parties of officers and men were lauded at Enderby, Rose, and Ewin? Islands to seek for castaways, and next day other portions of the islands, were visited. Everything was found to' bo in a satisfactory oondition, and a departure was wade on January 10. Cflmpbe'.l Island was reached at 2 p.m. 011 January U. Stores and Messrs Soott and Dogarambnm wore landed. Mr Gordon works the island for Captain Tucker, of Gishome, who has about 4000 fhee'p. They appear to be doing" Well. The 1 island is well covered with native .tussock, on which the sheep thrive, and the absence of scrub, so prevalent on Auckland Ts'and, Tenders the place more suitable for settlement.' The vessel ombarked Messrs M. M'Donald, Gordon, and Darhara, who art? in the emplov of Captain Tucker," for Lyttelton, and left on January 12. On January H tho Antipodes were reached. The, heights abound with sea birds, including albptrosseF, and the rocky shores are literally covered with small penguins.. Grceivpamkoots and birds resembling the woodcock were also seen. The island is covered with d enjle tussock. Thoro were no signs' of any human beings. 011 all these islands, mdny sea lions could be seen. Tho vessel 1 left at 4 p.m. for the Bounty Island, which was rcnched at daylight 011 January 15. The island abounds 111 eei birds. After a few hours' stay a departure was made- for Lyttelton. The weather throughout the cruisa was fine.