THE MUTTON BIRD ISLANDS

Southland Times, Issue 17920, 27 April 1917, Page 3

THE MUTTON BIRD ISLANDS

A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. (By W. G. H.) By the courtesy of Messrs Pasco Bros, and Co., a friend and myself were privileged to pay a visit to the Mutton Bird Islands In their steamer the s.s. Savii. Prior to leaving for these islands we spent a day in Foveaux Straits oyster dredging, and perhaps a short description of the operation will not he inappropriate here. We left the Bluff at 5 a.m. and had the dredging nets in the water off Bird Island an hour and a-haif later. After the nets have been dragged for a certain time they are hauled up, emptied on deck, recast into the water and dredging again commenced. The resultant from the first, haul is then picked by hand and only first-class oysters are retained, the refuse being shovelled back quickly into the sea. This work was incessantly carried on, with an exception of twenty minutes for a cup of tea and a snack, till half-past three, when we steamed for Bluff, and after discharging the oysters at the beds, made fast to the main wharf at 5.30.

On Saturday, after the steamer had been beached and cleaned, we took in some cargo and passengers for the Mutton Bird Islands, and sailed from Bluff at 2.15 p.m., passing Rugged Island at 6.15, and arriving at Moggy Island at 10.15 p.m. We encountered a fresh head wind with a moderate swell to the anchorage. Here we wont ashore and although we could not see everything, were convinced that there is a great deal of hardship in gathering the harvest of mutton birds. On the following morning, after taking in passengers and cargo (mutton birds), we left Moggy Island at 7.50 a.m. for Wedge Island, arriving there at 8.50. Both of the islands are very exposed and rugged, and the landings, especially in the latter case, extremely difficult, and such as only experienced men could possibly accomplish. At Wedge Island we discharged some passengers, took in more mutton birds, and left again at 9.45 for Putauhinul. Here we landed empty barrels, tins, passengers, and a dog. This Island is another weather-beaten portion of the island group surrounding Stewart Island on the southerly side, with precipitous cliffs and poor and risky landing. However the landing was successfully accomplished, and whilst this was proceeding wo indulged in fishing with some success. I may here say that the whole of these waters simply teem with fish. We left here at 10.10 and arrived at Murderer’s Cove about 50 minutes later. Here the same process of taking In and discharging per medium of boat was worked, and the landing appeared to be safer and easier to negotiate than in the cases previously mentioned. The scenery throughout the intricacies of these passages from one island to another Is in some cases awe-inspiring and rugged, and in others calm and reposeful. From here we steamed to Bats Cave on the southerly side of Solomon Island, and anchored. Mutton birds were taken aboard and cargo discharged, and we indulged in fishing, taking blue cod, groper, white fish, etc., and then paid a visit to the mutton-birders’ camp, while the steamer departed for the other side of the island. Needless to say we were received with right royal hospitality and treated to .some of the most harmonious singing wp have h'au the pleasure of listening tb for a very long time. We then walked to the other side of the Island, where we found the steamer had already come to anchor at Solomon’s Anchorage. The whole of the scenery after leaving Putauhinui is. beautiful, reminding one very much of lake scenery, but perhaps rather more rugged and weather worn in places. Everything in the way of stoves, etc., at all these landings has to be manually carried up very steep and rugged tracks. At some places fencing wire is used as an aerial tramway. It is related that on one of these tramways a lad was hooking on a mutton bird kit, for transference from a height on one island to another, when the hook caught in his clothes and he and the kit travelled safely over the sea intervening, and when nearing their destination his clothing gave way and he fell into the branches of a tree. At Solomon’s Anchorage we remained for the night. This is not a very risky landing, but when you have landed you have to’ cross a deep fissure in the rocks over an eight-inch board. To sec people carrying heavy loads over the plank causes one to wonder how accidents do not occur, as well as to admire the hardiness of those who participate in the business.

On Tuesday at ten minutes to seven a.m. we left again for Bats Cave, talcing in passengers for Moggy Island and cargo for Bluff. I forgot to mention that on Sunday evening there were anchored in Solomon's Anchorage three steamers, viz., Rita, Despatch, and gavii—a record occurrence, 1 believe. After discharging passengers at Moggy Island, we left there for Bluff at 8.5 a m., passing the black buoy at the Bluff at 3.5 p.m. The passage from the Bluff to Moggy Island occupied S hours, whilst the home trip was seven, both I am given to believe excellent runs. The s.s. Savli was built at Samoa out of the wreck of a German gunboat named “Adler,” which wreck occurred some years ago during the hurricane which made the name of the H.M.S. Calliope famous. She is oak throughout, and has condensing engines indicating SO horse-power. Wo wish to pay a tribute to Captain Johnson, Engineer Georgeson, and Messrs H. Johnson and T. Rogers for their kindness in looking after our welfare as well as for the •kilful manner in which they handled the steamer in most difficult places. Were the firm to make an advertised periodical trip with this well-equipped vessel It is, I think, a certainty that they would be well patronised for their enterprise.