it is probable that they could be made 
to pay well, as there is not the slightest 
doubt that the crude material for the 
manufacture of cement exists there, 
both in quantity and quality. However, 
before we attempt to anticipate any 
future periods of prosperity for this 
settlement it may be as well for the 
purposes of this report to record our 
doings for the few delightful days that 
we were enabled to spend on this pictur¬ 
esque isle. 
A start was made from Hobart at 8 
a.in. on Good Friday morning, and the 
Fast Bay Neck Canal was passed 
through soon after midday. Lunch was 
served during the run through Black¬ 
man’s Bay, and soon afterwards the boat 
passed through the Narrows, and a 
direct course was shaped for Maria 
Island, which could be plainly seen 
across the intervening stretch of the 
South Pacific Ocean. After calling Tn 
at Chinaman s Bay. and landing several 
members of the party, who preferred 
to walk to Darlington, we ran to Rhe- 
ban. and then to Darlington jetty, 
which was reached about 4 p.m. The 
landing of the camp impedimenta was 
immediately proceeded with, and willing 
workers soon loaded up the several wag¬ 
gons and drays that had been comman¬ 
deered for our use in order that our 
many and varied articles and packages 
might be transported to the selected 
site, which was about half a mile or 
more from the beach, and in close 
proximity to the famous cement works 
of the Bernacolii era of the island’s his¬ 
tory. As soon as the waggons had 
brought up the first loads the ring of 
axes and other tools could be heard, all 
being actively employed in order that 
our embryo township might be securely 
erected before darkness closed in. The 
site was an ideal one, as, although some 
distance from the sea shore, a mountain 
stream ran along the line of tents, en¬ 
suring a plentiful supply of water, as 
well as forming a splendid adjunct from 
a scenic standpoint. The tents were 
placed in a sheltered belt of trees that 
formed an excellent break wind, as well 
as allowing the several sections of the 
camp to be placet! in close proximity, 
and yet without encroaching on one 
another. As soon as the tents had been 
erected and our future homes put in 
order the very welcome sound of the 
dinner gong echoed through the trees, 
and ample justice was done to the first 
camp meal, which was served under 
romantic conditions among the gum 
trees, with the ruins of the cement 
works looming out above the trees, 
while over the hills behind rose in its 
full glory the Faster moon. After din¬ 
ner a large fire was built, and an enjoy¬ 
able musical evening spent. 
On Saturday several excursions were 
made. The largest party spent the 
morning in an inspection of the settle¬ 
ment and fossil cliffs, and in the after¬ 
noon set out to climb the Bishop and 
Clerk, a mountain overlooking the sea 
at the southern end of the (‘lift’s. The 
climb proved much harder than had 
been anticipated, and the ladies of the 
party found the going rather difficult 
towards the summit, which was reached 
at 4 p.m. The ascent was well worth 
the trouble, for the vista unfolded was 
superb. Away to the north the Schout- 
ens stood out boldly, the summits of 
Mt. Freycinet and the Hazards being 
plainly discernible, while further west, 
on the mainland, ranges could he dis¬ 
cerned rolling back hill upon hill from 
the shores, lapped by the sea, away into 
the dim distance, where the horizon was 
formed of mountain and cloud entwin¬ 
ed. To the south-west Mount Welling¬ 
ton’s homely shape w as easily noticed, as 
well ns other hills to the southward, 
while as the eye roved round, the settle¬ 
ment. of Darlington appeared through a 
break in the belt of Oyster Bay pines 
seemingly almost at our feet. After 
enjoying this panorama for some time, 
and allowing the photographers of the 
party to make records of our visit to 
the summit, the return journey was 
commenced. This proved rather a 
tiring trip for some of the party, and 
camp was not reached until darkness 
was falling. 
On the following day a number of 
members enjoyed a twenty mile tramp 
t.) Chinaman and Reidle Bays, while 
others spent the time in fishing or in 
making excursions to places of interest 
iii proximity to the camp. 
On Monday the chief event of the 
day was the dredging trip, and those 
members interested in tliis branch of 
science spent a very profitable day in 
the s.s. Warrentinna. which was skil¬ 
fully handled hv Captain Kerr, enabling 
tlie dredge and trawl to he worked to 
the best advantage. The evening camp¬ 
fire socials were a distinct feature of the 
camp, and their success w as duo partly 
t) the ideal weather conditions and to 
those members who contributed musical 
