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whales left these waters to seek some quieter home. At times when a school of whales appeared the whole coast was very busy. About thirty boats were often out. Casks were bought at Lyttelton, and when filled at the bay were sent back again in small vessels. The Maoris were employed on the stations, and some of them were expert whalers.

No wrecks have actually occurred in Island Bay itself. A brig was lost between it and Land’s End some years ago, and all hands drowned. She was laden with timber, great quantities of it floating up Akaroa Harbour. Snufflenose, where the ill-fated Clyde was lost, is a little way round the coast towards Peraki. It is believed that other vessels have met their fate on this point, as wreckage has been found from time to time. There would be little hope for mariners whose vessel dashed on the rocks under those cliffs on a wild night, for the wind blows with terrific force into the bight, and it has been supposed that a current sets into it from the open ocean, so that the danger was fearful indeed before the lighthouse was erected.

The spurs slope gently down from the tragic Bossu, connected with so many weird disappearances and mysterious horrors. The extent of the country on that side of the hills surprises one who has just come up the steep side that rises from the harbour. There is much plougbable land there—thousands of acres,—and all of the settlers in those parts grow their fields of oats and vegetables in ploughed land. The residents in Island Bay are: Messrs. James Wright, McPhail, Niblett, and Randall. The property formerly occupied by Mr. A. C. Knight is now farmed by Mr. Randall. The Baron of Wakamoa was the first to settle in the bay. After him came Mr. J. McKinnon, who lived on the property now owned by Mr. McPhail. Mr. H. Niblett was next, and Mr. Randall arrived recently. The land is very