Stewart Island

After returning either to Duncdin or Invercargill, if the trip froni Milford Sound is made overland, or to the Bluff if the return is made by steamer, the tourist may spend a week very pleasantly at Stewart Island. A steamer runs from the Bluff: distance 22 miles. There are boats to be hired at Half Moon Bay to visit the pretty bays and inlets round the coast. Paterson Inlet, Horse-shoe Bay, and Port William are within easyaccess of Half Moon Bay, and as these are on the sheltered side of the Island, the water is generally calm. Paterson Inlet is a beautiful island-dotted har-

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bour, with many enticing picnic spots. There are also some pretty walks in the bush, through pin mira, totara, and rata; the bright crimson blossoms of the latter are exceedingly fine in sumiller, and their showiness is greatly enhanced by their somby setting. There is good sport for the gun-pigeoa kaka, ducks, teal, and mutton-birds, are plentiful.

Oysters are found in great quantities round the coast, and are also obtained outside by dredoing Stewart Island oysters are sent all over New Zealand and even to Australia. At Half-Moon Bay the are some four hundred inhabitants; many are engaged in the fishing industry. There is an accomniodation for visitors, and the tariff is exceed ingly modérate. The climate is very mild and salubrious, and as a health and pleasure resortisland is beeoming very popular.