SHE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

Southland Times, Issue 1022, 16 September 1868, Page 3

SHE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

The following lettef, received by the under Secretary of State for the Colonies, from Mr C. Enderby, has been forwarded to Governor Sir G-. F. Bowen, and laid on the table of the General Assembly : Royal Institution, 14fch April, 1868. Sir, — The recent melancholy shipwrecks which have occurred on the Auckland Islands,- which, it is to be feared, may be more frequent from the daily increasing communication with Australia and New Zealand, induces me to lay before you a few observations respecting that group of islands, where I resided as Lieutenant- Governor for three and a half years. Having been given to understand that it was in contemplation to form a depot of provisions on the Auckland Islands, I addressed a letter to the Admiralty, , stating therein the capabilities of those ! islands to afford within themselves the means of subsistence to any number of persons who might unfortunately be cast away thereon : with the difficulties, however, they might experience in obtaining the pigs, catching the fish, &c, &c, as well from the inability persons might experience (without a boat) in passing from one island to another (as from other causes), and have pointed out the means by which they could do so. I also pointed out that it would be useless turning out any rabbits or poultry on Auckland Island (the principal island of the group), since there are a number of wild dogs and hawks, which would doubtless prevent any successful multiplication of them. . , . As the islands are occasionally visited by Colonial and American whaling and sealing vessels, it is to be feared that if it be made known that a store of provisions has been placed on the Auckland Islands, they will be plundered. Having said so much, I would observe that the islands are more then capable of being made self-supporting — that cattle and sheep may be placed on Enderby, Adams, Ewing, Rose and Ocean Islands, where there were no wild dogs in 1853, and where they thrive admirably, without it being necessary to provide them with shelter or food during any period of the year. There are also a number of hair seals, the oil and skins of which are capable of being turned to great advantage, but the taking them would render a hatch boat necessary. The soil is a deep vegetable mould, from twelve to fourteen feet in depth, and I feel quite certain that persons acquainted with such virgin land would not only be able to grow potatoes and other vegetables for consumption, but for exportation. The islands are by no means unhealthy, the summer not being so warm or the winter so cold as in England, aud the only illness experienced by the people under me residing on shore (numbering about two hundred, including New Zealanders) arose from rheumatism. The winds are boisterous, and the gales are often of long continuance ; and the rainfall probably exceeds that in this country. As a proof of my confidence in the resources of the islands and their capabilities, I beg to tender my service to go to the Auckland Islands and to remain there for three or four months, or longer if necessary, for the object of pointing out places where it would be desirable to commence cultivation, and the spots where provisions are to be found. The advantages to be anticipated by the Government in accepting my offer would be, that on my arrival in New Zealand, so soon as it became known that I purposed visiting those islands for the object of establishing a settlement which was to be periodically visited, I feel sure that very many of those persons who were with me and who, I believe, are now located in New Zealand, would be willing to purchase of the Government land, or would recommend others to do so, when all further expense on the part of the Government would be avoided. — I have, &c, Chas. Endeeby. The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.