264 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



191 of the men walked it, but otbers of less iron nerve crossed astraddle. The 

 danger is increased owing to the friable nature of the soil, which slips from 

 under the feet. The 7 miles walk to the rookery and back to Port Ross is one of the 

 most severe on the island. A fog came on, and the party lost their way among the 

 hills. They divided into pairs, and some did not get back for hours after the others. 

 ***** * # 



A rough trip was made in the whale-ljoat to the Government dep6t at Carnley 

 Harbour, in the hope that some boots would be obtained for our party, who much 

 needed them, but there were no boots there; but we got some clothes. 



A start was made across the island next morning to the Red Rock Rookery on the 

 western side. Our longest rope (1,000 feet) required three men to carry it, each 

 having a coil on his shoulder, with a slack piece between the bearers. The total 

 descent to the rookery was 800 feet, and it was undertaken in two lengths, the first 

 landing-place being at a drop of about 500 feet. The first man who (tied by the 

 waist) is let down runs great risk from dislodging loose stones, which may fall upon 

 his head. As he goes down, a lookout man, on a projecting point, gives the signal 

 to " stop " or to " lower away " from time to time. When five men got on to the first 

 ledge, they helped each other to get to the bottom, while communication was main- 

 tained with those overhead by means of notes stuck in the strand of the rope, which 

 wns hauled up on a signal being given. If firewood is to be got it is thrown down 

 on to the rocks, but at the rookery I am speaking of the shore was lined with plenty 

 of fuel from the wreck of the " Derry Castle." 



After the sealing party had descended, their comrades made another trip back to 

 the boat for more requisites for camping as comfortably as possible, as this place is 

 the head-quarters for attacking all the rookeries in the locality, all of which are 

 within a radius of 15 miles. 



On the fourth day the liunters reappeared, and signified to those who had kept a 

 constant watch on their movements to see if they wanted anything sent down, that 

 the hunting was over. They sent up forty-two skins, which was more than they 

 expected, and when the whole of the party mustered again on the top of the moun- 

 tain, they were in very good spirits accordingly. 



The next rookery chosen for a raid was called "The Point," because the lowering 

 is down from the end of a promontory. The landing-place is a narrow piece of sward 

 eloping towards the sea, which is about 100 yards lower down. 



The "Cave" Rookery, so designated because the seals are found in a natural cave, 

 and the Nineteen Rookery, whose title indicates the number of skins taken when it 

 was first visited. These were assailed in turn, and while waiting for snow, which 

 put a stop to further active operations, to melt, the skins were duly salted and rolled 

 up in the peculiar manner which prevents the inside of the pelt touching and injur- 

 ing the fur. 



The next and last rookery visited was of a different nature to all the others. It is 

 "The Swinger," because the sealers have to swing 80 yards across a chasm, through 

 which the sea surges with great fury, to get to where the seals are. The cliff is close 

 on 1,000 feet high, and overhangs the sea. The art of getting safely across the chasm 

 is to place the loop for the foothold in the rope at exactly the proper length for the 

 leap, so that you will strike the landing-place, instead of being dashed by the 

 momentum of the swing against the rocks if the loop is too long, or swing fruitlessly 

 back if it is too short. Only a few skins were got, and the party were greatly disap- 

 pointed after all their risk and labour. The total take of skins was 178. 



A start was made to return to the vessel. Again heavy snow fell, and it Avas not 

 possible to leave Norman Inlet for two days, but finally the schooner was reached. 

 * • * * If # * 



On arriving at the boat from Norman Inlet the question was debated whether we 

 should proceed to the Campbell Islands and prolong the trip at least two months, or 

 close it at once and get back home. Caittaiu Drew was in favour of coming away, 

 chiefly because the young seal-skins, which were the greater portion of the take, 

 were not properly "primed" by age and salt water to be of the full value. 



17. — Extracts from Pamplilet by Mr. A. W. Scott on the Fur-seals of the Southern Hemi- 

 sphere, 1S73. 



In "Mammalia, Recent and Extinct," published in Sydney by the Government of 

 New South Wales, Mr. A. W. Scott writes as follows : 



" I have endeavoured . . . , by devoting as much space as my limits would 

 permit, to the consideration of the animals whose products are of such commercial 

 A-alue to man, and whose extinction would so seriously affect his interests, to point 

 out the pressing necessity that exists for devising the means of protection for the 

 fur-seals and the sperm and right whales of the Southern Ocean. 



