FIRST THROUGH THE TAUTOKU FOREST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12607, 10 March 1903, Page 3

FIRST THROUGH THE TAUTOKU FOREST.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Several letters on the above subject liavo appeared, and while none/of them has thrown any light on the fate of the 'German naturalist, Dr Schmidt, two of your correspondent mention the discovery of human skulls in different parte of the forest. In this connection I have heard it said that the discovery of part of a wreck was made on tho ehoro somewhere between Long Point and Tautuku by one of the early sawmillera while on the search for tho best site for a sawmill. Near ths wrock wore the remains of a hut, apparently constructed out of the wreckage, and in the hub a. ship's log slate was found. The writing was obliterated, with tho exception of,an entry made with the point of a nail or some sharp instrument, and this told that tho mate was the only survivor, and that he had left tlio hut in the endeavour to make nig way out of the bush. If there is any foundation in fact for this rumour, the second human skull may bo accounted for. I am indebted to a nautical gentleman who was trading on this coast in tho early days for the story of the wreck. And from the same source I learned the correct version of the naming of " Ohaslahd's Mistake." The current version is that while Chasland was piloting some vessel from Sydney he mistook the headland for Otago Heads—a mistake one so well' acquainted with the coast as tho redoubtable Tommy Chasland was hardly likely to make. As my informant heard the story from Cliasland's own lips,-no doubt need bo entertained concerning its authenticity. It is briefly aa follows:—When acting as pilot for H.M.S. Acheron, whioh vessel was engaged in sun-eying tho coast, Chasland told bote plentiful seals used to be in the vicinity of the headline!, and how on one occasion ho induced Sydnoy owners to fit out a brig, promising to fill her easily with sealskins, and" oil. The scaling crew, however, proved hardly answerable to discipline, and, in 6pite of Cliasland's warning not to molest the seals on their first arrival on tho coast, they were too eager for the fray. After waiting for. several weeks, sure enough the seals • came in thousands, ■ and tho sea(ers, made instant warfare .upon, them, with tho result that tho herd stampeded and took to tho, sea. , A few seals came ashore subsequently, but the main herd never came back i consequently tho brig returned to her owners practically an empty ship. " Then that's Chosland's Mistake," was thp.'commcnt of the officer to whom "Tommy" told the story, pointing at the same time to tho headland, whioh .bears the name ever sinoe, nnd was entered on the chart accordingly.— I am. etc., . r. A. J.