H.—25

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

AUCKLAND, CAMPBELL, AND OTHER ISLANDS (REPORT ON), AND ON THEIR SEALS AND SEAL-ROOKERIES.

Laid on the Table of the House by Leave.

Mr. James P. Joyce to the Hon. the Minister of Making. Sib,— Invercargill, 28th May, 1894. In a previous communication I have had the honour to furnish you with a precis of theinterviews, between Captain Fairchild, of the s.s. " Hinemoa," and the master of the Norwegian whaler " Antarctic." The objects of the " Hinemoa's " cruise were, under your instructions, in addition to warning off the foreigner, to replenish depots, to build boat-sheds, and to erect guide or finger-posts at as many suitable points as practicable; and, further, to gather as much information concerning the sealeries and the islands generally as possible. These have been in every instance attained, and the result will be, I hope, at an early period to bring the large natural capabilities of the islands into profitable use. The sailing of the " Hinemoa " dates from the 25th ultimo, and her return to the Bluff was made on the 20th current. During this period, although broken weather intervened, there were ample opportunities for observation of the geographical and physical features of the several islands. As Captain Fairchild will have furnished his report of the depots and boats-sheds erected and examined, together with the number and localities of the guide-posts set up, I need not recapitulate here the work done. The Auckland Islands, speaking in general terms, have but a brief geological history. They display throughout evidences of volcanic, or rather plutonic, origin. Everywhere that the rocky foundation is exposed, a series of lava beds, with seams of scoria interposed, occur, the latter evidently the calcined remains of a surface-soil similar to that which now covers the greater part of the islands. Using the term in a relative sense, the existing surface is of recent growth. Although in most places a considerable depth of peaty soil has been formed by the disintegration of the rock and the decay of vegetation, the native trees and shrubs are nowhere of an age beyond a few hundred years. There are no traces of past forests. The trees, chiefly ironwood, that fringe much of the eastern coast-line, are of small dimensions, in few instances exceeding lft. in diameter. Above this belt of trees and shrubbery, at an average height of, say, 250 yards, the country is open, and, for the most part, well clothed with grasses peculiar to the islands, of a stout and succulent nature, together with the New Zealand tussock, and herbage of various kinds. The whole of the country, contrary to the opinions expressed by former visitors, is adapted for pastoral purposes, although undoubtedly wet and spongy over its general surface. But this drawback would soon be diminished were the ground grazed over by sheep and cattle, whose tracks would at once consolidate the surface, and form lines of drainage. At present the sea-lions which frequent the coast-line, and go long distances inland, tend to keep the surface in a condition the reverse of favourable to rapid evaporation of the rainfall. The climate, although humid, is singularly equable. During the time of our visit it ranged between 45° and 54° Eahr. The condition of the sheep which have been landed several places and at various times by Captain Fairchild is such as to warrant the statement that for pastoral purposes the Aucklands rank high. Even if their area is not so large as hitherto estimated (114,000 acres), there would still be sufficient country to depasture at once from 20,000 to 30,000--sheep, and a fair proportion of cattle. Two sheep, of Lincoln types, taken off Eose Island and brought up by the " Hinemoa," are proof of the foregoing estimate. Their fleeces are of four or five years' growth, some of the locks reaching the length of 23-J-in., while the condition of the animals themselves was perfect. The ram weighed, when caught, fleece and all, fully 1501b. ; the ewe (evidently born on the island, being long-tailed), between 801b. and 901b. That the number has not increased is due to the fact of the animals having been left unshorn. Long domestication and breeding for wool has rendered the sheep dependent, so to speak, for its existence upon man. Left unshorn for two or three years, its reproductive powers remain in abeyance. The goats placed on different parts of the islands have thriven and increased in numbers, while the pigs, although not many were seen, must be in considerable force, as their rootings were in places extensive. Ie is to be regretted that, on Enderby and Eose Islands, an area of 3,000 or more acres, rabbits swarm, and greatly reduce the value of the pasturage. They were introduced by one of the founders of the settlement, abandoned some forty years ago, he having been, as the introducers of the pest to