hi there,
I will add a bit more so your readers may have a little more to work with and hopefully be able to help. I will also do a bit of research today for you

Preservation Inlet (the Maori called it Rakituma 'the threatening sky') is the southernmost fjord in Fiordland National Park and lies on the southwest corner of the South Island. Known to early sealers and whalers, it was named by Captain Eber Bunker (1761-1836) in 1809. The first shore-based whaling station in New Zealand was established there in 1828/1829. Although John 'Jacky' Guard claimed he first started whaling in 1827 at Te Awaiti in Tory Channel. The date is disputed and Peter Williams is also claimed as having established a whaling station at Preservation Inlet in 1828!. Certainly by the following year both men were successfully hunting right whales for oil. Jacky Guard moved to Port Underwood in 1829 and by 1836 there were six shore stations and 18 whaling ships at anchor. Further north, the Kapiti region had six stations and 23 ships by 1839. In the far south a series of stations were established in the 1830s around the coast from Preservation Inlet in the west to Moeraki in Otago. Johnny Jones, a former convict and sealer, was an important figure in the area and at one stage employed 280 men on seven stations.

In 1900 a settlement known as Cromarty was established in Kisbee Bay. Intended to take advantage of gold, found in the 1890s and for the fishing, it did not last long and few traces of the settlement remain. Another small settlement that sprung up was Te Oneroa which also served the gold miners and to ship out sawn timber

A murder occurred in the sound near Preservation Inlet in 1838. Randolph Palmer, described as a tall cadaverous Mexican, who wore earrings, was arraigned at Sydney for the murder of a lad, fifteen years of age, named Kundy, in the month of March. The evidence showed that deceased, accompanied by a Maori and an Otaheitan, went out in a boat belonging to the ship, of which Palmer was master. Going ashore for the purpose of trapping Maori hens, the boat got smashed. They made their way back to the whale station overland, and reported the occurrence. The lad was alleged to have been left in charge of the boat. Palmer got into a terrible rage, and thrashed the boy with a rope until he became insensible ... more

Due to indiscriminate killing of a kind that had quickly destroyed the sealing business, soon came to the eerie end that follows excesses caused by ignorance and greed. By 1838 the station at Preservation was deserted.

So, as you can see from the above Nanagram there were probably hundreds of people living there, off & on, during those 10 or so years. Do you have any particular names or years that you are looking for?

Thankyou so much Ngaire, yes Im trying to trace the wife of Cpt James Joss. On the baptism cert for his son James Bruce in Sydney 1829, it states the lads mothers name as Mary nee Robinson. It is said that Cpt James Joss, came to NZ with 2 young sons after their mother had died and settled in Stewart Island. They were left at the preservation Inet, with the cooks children and played with them. I am keen to learn what happened to Mary Robinson.
I have lots of details on Cpt Joss,(my ancestor) but it would be wonderful to add the missing pieces.

James Joss was the Manager of No.3 Whaling Station at Bluff in Jan 1839. Was this a son of your James Alexander Joss?

No that was him, he was involved in several whaling places around Bluff .

I thought you had his death cert of 1836?

No I have never had a death cert for James Alexander Joss. I know he lived to 1846 when he is recorded as having a boat of 40tons, "The Rovers Bride", which he built at his home on the Neck, Stewart Island, NZ. He sailed to the Pacific islands with the intent of trading with the natives, but was wrecked near Samoa, and said to of been murdered by natives along with his two eldest sons who went with him, John Wallace Joss, and James Bruce Joss. I have a lot of data about his life in NZ. Its his wives Im trying to find details of.
I am wondering why you think I have his death cert of 1836?