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Report on the Examination of Crown Lands etc. in the County of Wellington
Appendix I. Exploration, County of Wellington - From Roger River to Marrawah Plain
Appendix II. Exploration 5700 acres State Forest Reserve - Parish of Lerunna
Appendix III. Parish of Warra
Appendix IV. Parish of Marrawah
Appendix V. Parish of Lerunna
Appendix VI. Parish of Riengeena
Appendix VII. V.D.L. Co's Woolnorth Block
Appendix VIII. Parish of Williams
Appendix IX. Parish of Togari
Appendix X. Parishes of Malompto and Terragomna
Appendix XI. Parish of Mowbray
Appendix XII. Parish of Ford
Appendix XIII. Parish of Poilinna
Appendix XIV. Parish of Gibson
Appendix XV. Parishes of Trowutta and Meryanna
Appendix XVI. Hunters Islands

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APPENDIX XVI.
Hunters Islands

A portion of West Wellington, well worthy of consideration by the
Crown Lands Examination Board, is the Hunters Group, and other
islands of the North West. These islands, which are only a few
miles off the Coast are in the regular route of vessels, either
trading from King Island to Tasmania or from Melbourne to the West
Coast. The s.s. "Marrawah" of 500 tons comes through Hope Channel
between the principal Islands every Wednesday and Sunday, going to
and from Melbourne, and the State steamer "Tambar" also passes every
trip. These islands are also within a few hours steam of Smithton,
Stanley or Woolnorth, and in respect to situation are probably
better served than any other of the Straits islands, and the hard-
ships attendant upon island life would be reduced to a minimum,
alleviated as they have already been during recent years by the
introduction of wireless and other inventions. The largest island –
Three Hummock – is compact and roughly almost circular in shape,
flat or undulating with a maximum height of 784 feet at Hummocky
Head. I have personally only been over the southeastern portion
of this island, but the western portion is similar to the west coast
of King Island, most of the sandy ground being suitable for the
growth of spear grass, melilot, cluster clover etc. while the eastern
portion includes some very excellent titree flats, which when
improved will carry a luxuriant growth of white dutch and other
clovers, and all the best grasses. The large area of this Island –
23,000 acres – of which I understand very little, is absolutely waste
or barren country, is quite sufficient to warrant steps being taken
towards making better use of it, as at present it only maintains a
single family.
      The second Island – West Hunter – is only slightly smaller
than Three Hummock, being estimated to contain 21,000 acres with a
maximum elevation of 300 feet, and unlike the other, is long and
narrow, fourteen miles by four, at the widest point. Although
personally I have only seen it from passing craft, it is not so
desirable as the other island, including a fair proportion of poor
and stony ground towards the north end, but it includes a large
area of clover and other good country if improved, the better land

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Well. 4

APPENDIX XVI.
Hunters Islands (2)

being the portion nearest the Mainland. This island also maintains
only one family – two small families to 44,000 acres – engaged in
fattening cattle and a few sheep. There are several bad sand
blows on these islands, which under present conditions are gradually
assuming serious proportions, but if more closely settled, steps
would be taken to control and even reclaim these areas. These
islands could produce large quantities of turkeys, which, as in
King Island, would practically run wild and thrive to perfection,
until ready for market, and no doubt other poultry would do equally
well, and could be placed on the Melbourne market at reasonable cost.
These islands should be almost free from frost, and early potatoes
and all kinds of vegetables should grow extremely well, and natural
shelter can be obtained round the coast from any wind, being well
known as a refuge from passing vessels in any weather. The size
of the islands would warrant the construction of jetties etc,
later, as they developed; cheese factories could be established
and sufficient population could be carried to warrant adequate
communication.
      Fishing: These islands are frequently visited by the large
Victorian fishing boats usually in quest of crayfish, and it would
be well worth considering the question of establishing a fishing
colony here, who would occupy themselves with farming and grazing
in rough weather, and in fishing the now untouched north end of the
West Coast fishing grounds in suitable weather. The Victorian
fishermen themselves realise they will have to work these virgin
trumpeter and crayfish grounds, as the more accessible grounds are
depleted, and the fish could be forwarded direct to Melbourne by
the steamer now passing the island. The coast should be best worked
by small auxiliary boats, too small to cross the Straits, as they
could thus take advantage of shelter which would not accommodate
the large Interstate vessels, but could safely work as far down as
the Pieman River, or Granville Harbour. To the north west, King
Island is about 45 miles away, and the numerous rocks and shoals
should be good fishing grounds, with barracouta in the open sea, and
good conditions for shoal fish along the shallow waters of the Bass

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Well. 4

APPENDIX XVI.
Hunters Islands (3)

Strait shores, and a cannery could be established and the catch
treated on the spot.
      Successful development of these islands would encourage the
owners of the alienated Robbins or Walker Islands (26170 acres) to
make better use of their large property. Robbins Island is in a
particularly good situation as stock can be driven to and from
Montagu on the Mainland at low tide, or shipped away as required,
and the nearest point is under five miles in a direct line from the
Smithton Post Office. Robbins Island includes a great deal of
stony barren third class land, but there is much excellent land on
it also. Very little development had been effected on the island
when sold about ten years ago by the Van Diemen's Land Co., but the
present owners, Holyman & Sons, have carried out considerable
improvements.
      The average rainfall at Cape Grim, the nearest point of the
Mainland to the Hunters Group, is 36 inches, and this or slightly
less can be assumed for the islands.

K.M. Harrison
District Surveyor.

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