I have the honour, in compliance with your memorandum No. S.G. 10268/8, dated the 2nd August last, to the effect that I should proceed to the Kermadec Islands with the steamer "Stella" for the purpose of reporting on their capabilities and extent; to furnish herewith my report and plans, and to briefly relate the events of our voyage.

I left Auckland by the steamer "Manapouri" on the 9th August, accompanied by Mr. H. D. M. Haszard, Assistant Surveyor, and Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, Curator of the Auckland Museum, and arrived at Russell on the following morning.

The "Stella" having arrived on the 11th, we steamed from Russell on the 12th at 2.15 p.m., with a strong southerly breeze, and, after a very rough passage, arrived off Curtis Islands at 4.30 p.m. on the 14th, and anchored off the north side of the larger island in somewhat sheltered water.

On the loth, finding that a landing was impracticable owing to the heavy sea running, we steamed for Macanley Island, off which place we arrived at 8.30 am., and were again disappointed in landing owing to the sea. A course was then made for Sunday Island, which we reached at 3.30 p.m. Finding no inhabitants in Denham Bay, and a very heavy sea running, Captain Fairchild steamed round to the north side of the island, where we found the steamer "Richmond" at anchor in a sheltered spot, engaged in taking in firewood to supplement her coal, of which she had run short on her voyage from Rarotonga to Auckland.

On the 16th we landed at the Fishing-rock, and commenced the survey and exploration of the island.

On the 17th Captain Fairchild hoisted the British flag, as related further on, the rest of the day being devoted to the prosecution of the survey.

The 18th was also occupied in the further survey of the island.

On the 19th it commenced to blow from the east; so the "Stella" was moved round to Boat Cove, near the south-east end of the island, where temporary shelter was obtained, and the south side of the island topographically sketched. As the wind increased we moved round to Denham Bay, and anchored near the north end of the long beach.

On the 20th it blew very hard from the cast; but, after removing the steamer to the south end of the bay to avoid the heavy roll coming in, we went ashore and explored that side of island.

On the 21st it was still blowing very hard from the cast. Finding the shelter afforded by the high land of the island insufficient, we steamed back to Boat Cove and moored the vessel there, but, owing to a shift of the wind to the south-east, were obliged to remove to the shelter of Meyer Island, where we found smooth water, though it blew very hard.

On the 22nd, the wind having gone down, we were enabled to land at the Fishing-rock, and continued the survey of that side of the island.

The 23rd was occupied in completing our survey, and, as the sea bad gone down very much, we left Sunday Island at 9 p.m. for Macauley Island.

On the 24th, at 6.30 a.m., anchored off Macauley Island. We went ashore, when the flag was hoisted and the Proclamation read, after which a survey of the island was made, and completed in time for us to leave for Curtis Island the same day at 3 p.m. On our arrival at 5.15 p.m. we succeeded in landing, and explored the crater of the island.

25th. The wind having shifted to the north-west made another landing on the island impracticable, so we steamed for L'Esperance Rock, at which place we arrived at 12.45, and, having steamed round it and taken such observations as were practicable, we shaped a course for New Zealand at 1.30.

On the 27th, at 8 a.m., the coast was sighted, after a rough passage across, and, as the wind was dead against us for the Bay of Islands, Captain Fairchild kept away for Cape Maria van Diemen lighthouse, under which place we anchored at 6.30 p.m.

On the 28th, after having tendered the lighthouse, the "Stella" steamed across to the Three Kings, where I was enabled to make a sketch-survey to correct the very erroneous page break

Sunday or Raoul Island

N. N. E. 7 Miles.

page 5 shape of the main island as shown on the Admiralty chart. At 4.45 p.m. we left for Kaipara.

29th August. We arrived at the Pilot-station, Kaipara, at 1 p.m., after having passed along the only smooth water we encountered since leaving the Bay of Islands: this was along the West Coast, from Cape Maria to Kaipara.

30th August. The survey party left the "Stella" at 1 p.m. by the regular steamboat, and arrived in Auckland by train from Helensville at 7.15 p.m.