She left the Bluff on January 5, and experienced strong winds and seas to the Snares, where a stop was made of a few hours.
Then she went on to the Aucklands, arriving on the 7th.
The wreck depots at Port Ross, Norman Inlet, and Camp Cove were visited, and a boat shed was built at Disappointment Island, the scene of the Dundonald wreck 12 months ago.
Altogether five days were spent at the Aucklands.
Departing therefrom, Campbell Island was reached on the 12th, and stores and cargo were landed for the projected shore whaling station at North-West Bay.
Sailing round to Perseverance Harbour, the remainder of the island stores were landed, and a shipment of 42 bales of wool taken on board.
The depot was overhauled and supplemented.
Thence the steamer proceeded to the Antipodes, experiencing whilst there south-west weather and thick fogs, which lasted for two days.
On the 17th the Hinemoa went on to Bounty Islands, where the depot was also found intact, no signs whatever of castaways being seen.
Eleven passengers took the passage round, and, taking it all round, a fair-weather trip was experienced.
•The Hon T. Mackenzie, Minister of Industries and Commerce, interviewed by one of our staff yesterday regarding the impressions gained by him on his recent visit to Queenstown and other inland towns, said that in his opinion a great work lay before some Government in connection with the Central Otago district.
Much of what was formerly probably the finest grass land in Otago had been allowed to become almost a sterile waste.
This had been caused by indiscriminate burning, over-stocking, and rabbits. It seemed to him that much might be done to improve the present condition of affairs.
The problems to be faced were regrassing and irrigation.
He had no doubt that this would produce results that would astonish the people who now viewed the interior of Otago.
It was beyond doubt that the soil over a very large portion of it was excellent.
But the whole question must be handled in a capable and thorough manner.
For himself, he fully believed the country would repay any irrigation that might be bestowed upon it. - ODT, 21.1.1909.
