'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎210] (319/496)

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the northward and westward, attend this meeting about the end of May,
when their bugalas are hauled up on the beach, and a brisk trade is
carried on throughout the S. Monsoon, in gums, ostrich-feathers,
hides, ivory, and ghee. Large quantities of ambergris aie also brought
for sale, and the price demanded is very great. Elephant hunting is fob
lowed by those who have guns, and last year upwards of thirty-five
were killed by a party of gun-men brought by a speculating Somali from
Brava, on the coast. A good trade might be carried on between Mau
ritius and Hafoon in donkeys. These could be procured at Hafoon in
great numbers for five to six dollars each, and I should imagine con
sequently that the speculation would answer well, especially as the voyage
would be so short in the N. E. Monsoon.
Aden, ) (Signed.) C. J. Cruttenden, Lieutenant, I. K,
12th May, 1848.) Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Aden,
(True Copy.) A. Malet, Chief Secretary.
Art. IX .—A Narrative of a Voyage in search of the Crew of the
Ship “ Charles Eaton,” performed in the year 1836. By Commander
G-. B. Kempthorne, I. N.
[Communicated by the Author.]
On the 6th March, 1836, sailed from Bombay as 2nd Lieutenant of the
Honorable Company’s Brig of War Tigris, on an expedition to Torres
Straits, in quest of the unfortunate Crew of the ill-fated Ship the Charles
Eaton, reported to have been seen on some Island between New Guinea
and New Holland, and supposed to be detained in slavery by the
natives.
The first place we intended touching at was one of the Cocos or
Kulling’s Islands, a small group, lying in the parallel of 14° S. and men
dian of 93° E., said to be occupied for some years past by a Mr. B° s9
and family, who is endeavoring to cultivate the soil, and trying to esta.
lish a traffic in coir and cocoanut oil. Several Malays, together with their
wives and children, have also located there, and materially assist ^
above gentleman in his spirited undertaking. Good water is plentiful? aim
large quantities of vegetables, maize, and some fruit, are grown:
poultry are likewise very abundant: so that they have not only a 9 ^
eiency of food for themselves, but an ample supply for ships also, s io