STEWART'S ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 489, 13 April 1861, Page 10

STEWART'S ISLAND.

(From the Southern Neivs, March 23.) [For the following interesting account of this island — whose resources, whether as regards timber, fish, or even agriculture, are so little known to its nearest neighbours, — we are indebted to Mr. J. Solomon, of the schooner " Amelia Frances, " trading between this pox-t and the island. — Ed. S. N.] " I would commence from Saddle Point (the north-east extreme) southward. The first place worthy of notice is a long sandy bay, called by the natives "Hotago," in which there are two families of half-castes, who have resided there upwards of twenty years. This bay is formed by a rocky headland at the north end, with a long sandy beach curving south-easterly. There is a small river at the north end of the bay, forming a good boat harbour, with a fine valley of rich land at the back. In consequence of its richness and sheltered position, it abounds in heavy timber, with thick undergrowth. The land, when cleared, yields abundantly. " One mile south of Hotago is another excellent bay, sheltered from all winds excepting the north-east. There is here a fine valley running back, with a boat entrance into a small estuary, into which a creek of excellent water empties itself, coming down the valley from Mount Anglein. " About one mile farther south is a waterfall over the sea-cliff, having its source from a fresh-water lagoon, situated on a fine piece of table-land, heavily timbered — I believe possessing the finest timber on the Island. "Two miles south-east of this is FortWilliam, so highly spoken of by Commander Stokes. The harbour is formed by a small promontory on the north, which forms its principal shelter. There is a fine boat harbour at the head of the bay, formed by a large fresh-water stream from a rich valley at the back, but full of timber. There are three bays in Fort-William, each having its own valley and fresh-water stream.

" About two miles south of Fort- William is an excellent bay called Horse-Shoe Bay (from its shape), in which a considerable quantity of land has been "cleared by the natives ; it is a remarkably good harbour. " Half-a-mile south of Horse-Shoe Bay is a fine harbour called Half Moon Bay (by the natives, Ilootee Bay). The land about this bay is very rich ; a portion of it, when in cultivation, produced large crops of potatoes for many years.

" Half-a-mile south of this delightful bay is the noble harbour called Patterson's Inlet. I can describe it in no other way than as a first-class harbour teeming with harbours. It has an entrance of about three-quarters of a mile, with an average depth of eight fathoms The harbour is composed of three main branches, the largest of which extends west, from the entrance, about ten miles, vrith an average width of two miles. In the centre is a large island called Cooper's Island, and about thirty others of inferior size. At the head of this arm is a river navigable for small vessels, at high water, through an extensive valley of mostly open land, extending across the Island. With Mason's Bay, on the west coast, I am not personally acquainted, but am informed, by good authority, that it offers excellent pasture for cattle. Another arm, at the head of the west arm, extending southwest about three miles, and known as the South-west Arm, is about three-quarters of a mile in width : at the head of it is an extensive flat, with a fine creek of fresh water running through it from the surrounding hills. The third arm, south of the entrance, and known as the South Arm, is about three mileS deep and one-and-a-half broad. In a deep bay between the entrance of the South Arm and the old neck, is an excellent harbour called by Commander Stokes " Glory Harbour," and is formed by three islands. It is an excellent place for heaving down vessels requiring repairs. The whole of this noble sheet of water is clear of rocks or shoals, with an average depth of eight fathoms— offering shelter for vessels from the size of the '■ Great Eastern" down to the smallest boat on the Waiopai, and with a coast line, inside the entrance, of not less than a hundred miles. Each point, as you pass up its three main branches, discovers its own little bay or inlet — in most instances dotted -with small islands— looking beautifully picturesque. At the east side of the entrance are several families of half-castes, whose parents have been settled there about twentyfive years. About four miles up the west arm, in a beautiful bay (called by the natives Kepeepe Bay), Mr. Gallon and Mr. Bullock have erected their saw-mills, which will find constant employment for about seventy men, and from which may be expected a regular supply of good timber. "

" Six miles south of Patterson's Inlet, is Port Adventure, a very excellent harbour, but not much frequented by strangers in consequence of the extensive and dangerous reefs lying off its entrance 5 but these form no obstacle to persons acquainted with them. The land is all wooded. There are about twelve Maories, men and women, and the land which they have in cultivation produces excellent crops of potatoes and wheat. The harbour has several small ones inside, and one, called Oyster Cove, abounds in oysters of excellent quality. " South of this I can only speak from my knowledge of the chart by Commander Stokes, and information gained from men who have been many years located on the Island. A few miles below Port Adventure is a small deep-water river, available only for small vessels, called Lord's Harbour, where I am informed there are a few hundred acres of open country, with very rich grass. About ten miles from this is Port Pegasus, even (if possible) a finer harbour than Patterson's Inlet. To use Commander Stokes' remarks, ' it is one of the noblest harbours in the known world ; ' and lam informed that, after passing through a narrow belt of timbered land, you come upon a plain of not less than thirty thousand acms, and that there is still more open country south. This is as far as my experience and information extend. Parties paying a visit to the Island should provide themselves with a compass, and, if possible, a rough chart."