STEWART ISLAND HISTORY

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 9

STEWART ISLAND HISTORY

INTERESTING ADDRESS BY DR BASIL HOWARD

An interesting outline of the early history of Stewart Island was given by Dr Basil Howard, of Dunedin, at the meeting of the University Association of Southland last evening. Dr Howard is the author of “Rakiura,” a comprehensive and accurate history of the island, the publication of which will mark Stewart Island's celebration of New Zealand’s centennial. There was a good attendance of members of the association and also of members of the Southland Progress League, which is supporting the Stewart Island Centennial Committee in its efforts to have the book published, and residents of Stewart Island. Mr F. M. Corkill, president of the association, presided. ' Dr Howard spoke authentically of the discovery of Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island which at first was charted as a 'peninsula. He recounted the many fascinating stories of the sealing period, the exploitation of Port William’s timber resources by Port Jackson merchants, the trading settlements at Codfish Island and Port Pegasus, the gold rush, tin-mining at Port Pegasus and the failure of the island in several commercial ventures. The recovery of many important documents and log books which had enabled him to collect accurate data about the island and its peoples was mentioned by Dr Howard. A popular impression, he said, was that Stewart Island about 1840 was a place of iniquity and depravity, but documentary evidence compiled by reliable men dispelled that idea of life at the island. On the contrary it could be said that in spite of its economic failures Stewart Island was a place of good living and happiness. Today its hope lay in its tourist attractions, a feature which properly developed, would give the island its rightful place in New Zealand’s prosperity. Dr Howard illustrated his lecture with lantern slides and maps of the island. , , , In expressing the thanks of the audience to Dr Howard Mr J. L. Cameron said that all interested in Stewart Island history would look forward more than ever to the publication of “Rakiura.” He fe’t sure that its publication would meet with all success.