352 



OBSTrvUCTION SOUND. 



April 1830, 



distinguish any decided stream of tide, and the rise and fall 

 did not appear to have ever exceeded a foot : that there was a 

 slight tidal movement of the water seemed evident, from the 

 streams of foam coming from the cascades ; and also from the 

 fallen leaves which were borne on the water, from the shores of 

 the bays, in long lines ; but signs like these are indicative of 

 there being no strength of tide : I have frequently noticed such 

 appearances in large sounds, or inlets, but never in any channel 

 where there was a current. 



" The bays between Hope Promontory and Point Intervene 

 are frequented by immense numbers of black-necked swans 

 {Anser nigricollis) : hundreds were seen together ; they ap- 

 peared not at all wild when we first passed; but, on our return, 

 there was no approaching them within musket shot. Many 

 ducks and coots were also observed. On a rock, near the Oliver 

 Islands, was a small ' rookery ' of hair-seal ; and, in our progress 

 down the sound, we passed some few shags and divers. This 

 is the enumeration of all we saw, and these few species seem 

 to possess, undisturbed, this Obstruction Sound; for we neither 

 observed any wigwams, nor saw any traces of inhabitants. 



" Having no interest in remaining, after some necessary 

 angles were taken on Meta Islet, we commenced our return ; 

 and, with a fair wind, made good progress, landing only where 

 it was necessary for angles, and reached the vessel on the evening 

 of the next day (l6th). I have fully stated the examination of 

 this sound, and have been, perhaps, unnecessarily particular 

 and diffuse ; but I think that when its near approach to the 

 Skyring Water is known by others, it will be considered very 

 singular that no communication exists between them. To every 

 one on board the Adelaide it was a great disappointment. The 

 only inlet now remaining to be explored was through the S.S.E. 

 opening, east of Point Return ; which, on the 18th, I went to 

 examine. Mr. Kirke returned on the same day as myself, having 

 traced the coast as far as he had been directed, and found the 

 large expanse of Disappointment Bay nearly bounded by a flat 

 stony beach ; and the water so shallow, that even his whale- 

 boat could seldom approach the shore within a quarter of a 



