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as to close time for seal or other fishing to be respected without having any force at hand to enforce the law. Another proof of this is that a number of the stores set apart on the Campbell Islands for shipwrecked mariners were found at our visit to have been stolen and made away with, and air-tight cases opened and ransacked. Under these circumstances, the only way in which these ends appear to be attainable is by encouraging as much settlement as possible on those islands and having them frequently visited. I have the honour to enclose herewith a list of the depots, boathouses, and fingerposts on the islands named which have been provided by my Government for the succour and assistance of shipwrecked crews ; also a list of vessels known to have been wrecked on them during the last thirty years; and, lastly, a list of the soundings and their position taken during our expedition : all of which, with this despatch, I would respectfully suggest should be forwarded for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c, Downing Street.

Table showing Provision made in the Seveeal Islands foe the Succour op Shipwrecked Ceews. Provision Boats FingerDepots, and Houses, posts.* Snares Island ... ... ... ... 1 ... 5 Auckland Islands ... ... ... ... 3 5 40 Campbell Island ... ... ... ... 1 1 12 Antipodes Island ... ... ... ... 1 ... 8 Bounty Islands ... ... ... ... 1 Kermadec Group— Macauley Island ... ... ... ... 1 Curtis Island ... ... ... ... 1 List op Stores in each Depot. Biscuits. Tinned meats. Fat, for frying fish. Medicine chest. Fishing lines, hooks, and knives. Matches, cooking utensils, carpenters' tools. Needles and thread, sail needles and twine. Eifle and ammunition. Blankets, men's jackets, flannel shirts and socks, serge shirts and trousers, watertight boots, enough for twenty-four men. List op the Ships known to have been wrecked on the Auckland Islands, etc. " Grafton " ; lost 3rd January, 1864 ; Auckland Islands. " Minerva" ; lost 10th May, 1864; Auckland Islands. " Invercauld " ; lost 16th May, 1864 ; Auckland Islands. " General Grant " ; lost 13th May, 1866 ; Auckland Islands. " Derry Castle " ; lost 20th March, 1887 ; Auckland Islands. " Compadre " ; lost 19th March, 1891; Auckland Islands. " Spirit of the Dawn " ; lost 4th September, 1893 ; Antipodes Island.

* These finger-posts were put up last year in suitable parts of the islands to indicate the route to tho provision depots, and boats, as the experience gained by the shipwreck of the " Spirit of the Dawn" shows that it is possible for shipwrecked mariners to be unaware of the existence of the depots, which are situated in the east, or what is generally the leeward side of the islands, while the wrecks are generally on the west, or windward side. This is necessary, as landing on the western side is seldom possible.—G.