The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-01-30
Under the Southern Cross.
srawARr's ISLAND.

L
strenuous labor. For six months
had been speaking every night and
busy every day. Only speakers with a
burning message know the nerve fuel
required and used in constant cam
paign. We longed for the quiet haunts
and wero happy when my singer and 1
were informed that moro than thirty
people had planned together to give us
an interesting recreation and vacation
on Stewards Island. Ho! for the ideal
summer resort. The air seemed fresh
or, our footsteps lighter. We dreamed
Of unconventional things-could hear
the forest birds in advance and recall
ed the bracing air altitude where noun
tain sheep had basked in the sunshine,
pleasures we had enjoyed in former
days.
The island is small, irregular, octo-
pus shaped piece Of mountain top rising
out of the Southern Pacific, it's ten
tacles reaching out in all directions,
forming two or three splendid harbors
of refuge for whale ships Of former
years, and many beautiful bays for the
pleasure seekers of today. 1t is direct
ly south of the south island Of New
Zealand. At one time it was known as
the "South Island,' the geography of
the colony being classified as the North,
Middle and South Islands. Since New
Zealand has begun to receive notice
from parliamentarians she has redressed
her geography and caused this little
spot to be Tilted by her bigger brothers.
Two hours in the Theresa Ward tug
boat from the Bluff lands the passenger
in a more or less compact form on the
wharf at little place called Oban.
When the sea is at rest the journey is a
pleasant one, but to run a mere tug
where the sea is usually turbulent eX-
panse certainly reflects some discredit
on the business alertness of the coun-
try. There are two kinds Of business
men. One kind are made like manu-
featured articles, the other kind make.
Circumstances make the one kind, the
other kind make circumstances. One
waits and is drawn or left behind, the
other kind goes on ahead-pulls-an
succeeds gloriously or fails heroically.
The latter create the demand. He
builds railroads into vast stretches and
bids for the people-and usually gets
them. He is the kind of stuff new
countries are made of and is not absent
in the colony recently named the Do
minion of New Zealand. But he evil
IDENTIFY had not been digging around
Foveaux Strait. Since this seems to be
true hope the people will not be slow
in demanding better accommodations,
1t is not an unusual thing for passen-
gers to suffer to the limit of endurance
on this trip. The writer was standing
on the upper deck and with perfect reg
ularity of time, as the snout of the boat
broke into the side Of an approaching
wave, a sheet Of water would cover the
cuUlCo Hulk auN AOV al luCOllSlOoTaUlG
portion find its way down his back
Seasick men and women lay below on
the deck under the cover of the upper.
deck but soaking in salt water. Our
trip is graphically described by the
Dunedin Star OF February 10, 1907, as
follows:
$50 much for the cost Of the trip, but
what about the tug? Here, at present
lies the one great drawback which him
ders many from going to Stewart Island
l have heard of several complaints OF
the pranks played by the Theresa Ward
when crossing the veritable malestrom
Foveaux Strait, but none have or could
be exaggerated. Given a fine day, the
sail of two hours to the island is regu.
lar pleasure trip, but otherwise-and ii
is usually otherwise-the passage is not
one readily forgotten. The trip Of
Wednesday Dec. 20, 1905, was one Of the
worst. Messrs. Hamilton and Garmong
of mission fame, with a party of some
Unlrty-Unroo OCuorS, were Oh DOaru. As
the Theresa Ward steamed out into the
stormy strait, but yet while in com.
paratively shelter water, this happy
band cheerily sang hymn mo doubt
well known to the many Dunedinites)
keep your hearts singing all the while
Make the world brighter with SMILE
Gradually as tho tug entered the
stormy water, the lusty tones grew
fainter tho sweet birds grew more
pensive, but still struggled bravely tc
make the world brighter with painful
sickly smiles. One by one they dropped
on the deck. Mr.. Hamilton was seen tc
hug the galley chimney most affection.
ately, while the passengers, and even
some of the crew were utterly pros.
trated, lying about the deck in every
direction. "Twas amerciful providence
kept them from being washed over.
board. The Theresa Ward next began