Page:Castaway on the Auckland Isles (IA castawayonauckla01musg).pdf/12

viii there be any. The Governments of New South Wales and Queensland have undertaken to defray a portion of the cost of the expedition. The 'Victoria,' under the command of Captain Norman, left Hobson's Bay on her mission of mercy on the 4th inst. The instructions of the Government to Captain Norman were to proceed with all possible despatch to the isles, and search for and relieve any person or persons who may be there in distress; and, on the completion of his mission, to return direct to Melbourne, or, in the event of fuel running short, or the weather being adverse, to make for the most convenient port in New Zealand for a supply of coal, which, it is to be presumed, will be afforded free of charge. Captain Musgrave, of the 'Grafton,' whose local knowledge will be of great value, accompanied the expedition. Should circumstances allow, Captain Norman will call at Campbell's Island, and also at Bounty Island, which are situate—the one to the south and the other to the north-east of the Auckland group. The crew of the 'Victoria' numbers fifty, and the ship is provisioned for three months. She also carries a supply of stores, bedding, clothing, &c., for any unfortunates who may be picked up. In order that people who may be shipwrecked on the Auckland Isles in the future may have within reach a supply of animal food, a number of pigs, rabbits, and goats have been placed on board by the Acclimatisation Society, to be turned loose on the islands."

The Times' New Zealand correspondent, in a letter dated Nov. 15, 1865, writes as follows:—

"The Victorian war steamer 'Victoria' put into Otago on the 8th inst. for coals and provisions, having been searching the Auckland Islands for shipwrecked mariners. . . . . The whole group has, however, been thoroughly searched without success, no trace of human beings, dead or alive, being found. Provisions have been left in various parts of the islands for the use of future castaways."—Times, Jan. 13, 1866.