THE MYSTERY OF CAMPBELL ISLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21386, 14 July 1931, Page 8

THE MYSTERY OF CAMPBELL ISLAND

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —The excellent description of Campbell Island by “A. W. A.” and his exposure of the “ Princess ” hoax in this morning’s issue made very interesting reading. As the story is one of wide local interest, I venture to add to the information given by your contributor: Mr Thomas Gilroy, of Bluff, and Mr J. Wesley, of Half Moon Bay, both of whom were sealng at Campbell Island from the sixties to the eighties, agree that the heather and the pebble path around which the legend centres appeared first in the seventies. They and others of their calling suggested that the French Transit of Venus party was responsible for the path; that the grave of the Frenchwoman was that, of a member of the party, a young officer who died there; that the heather germinated from seed dropped from one of the many sacks obtained by the expedition from a merchant in Bluff. Their evidence as to the first appearance of the “ phenomena ” must be accepted, but I have no means of checking the truth of their explanatory theories.

Your contributor mentions a story that William Stewart was responsible for the marooning of the princess. Such story is a slander upon the pioneer hydrographer and. coloniser of Stewart Island. His character is summarised by one who knew him: “He was a straightforward, honest, true-hearted British sailor.” But there were other Stewarts figuring in the early history of New Zealand with less pleasing reputations, notably the notorious captain of the Elizabeth, who chartered his brig to Rauparaha This man and his brother are the villains ot the story. I give a summary of it as told by the latter’s granddaughter, who used to refer to the master of the Elizabeth as “that notorious uncle of mine. It was Stewart who brought the princess from the Old Country, and, it difficult to dispose of her, handed her over to his brother, who was living at Stewart Island under another-name. Although no dates are given -judge that this would be in the late thirties or early forties. He managed to keep her in unsuspected seclusion on the island for some time; but as population expanded secrecy became increasingly difficult Thereupon the unfortunate lady was transported to Campbell Island. This version tallies with the statement which reached me recently from a man who had spent some time on the island that the princess died in 1850. . . .. 0 Although we cannot look upon the popular story as anything but romantic legend, the family tradition recorded above makes one wonder whether some such piece of rascality was carried out, the springing up of the Frenchmens heather providing the scenery necessary for the transformation of the unknown victim into the luckless princess of the Stuart line. .... , „ The chronological details given bj “A W. A.” effectively demolish the princess theory. Nevertheless for all that historical fact can prove, believers. wiU cling tenaciously to their cherished romance.—l am, etc., *>■ 11 • n- ■ July 11. , ■ v