Our Contributors

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 476, 15 February 1881, Page 3

Our Contributors

STRAY THOUGHTS,

(Contributed by Fabian Bell)

On the following morning we were up early—five o'clock, I think—and having secured our light luggage we proceeded' by train to Dunedn. The railway skirts the harbor only a iev feet above highwater mark, following every wind and turn of the shore, and so giving n series of charming and ever changing views ; now on one side we are on its cultivated paddocks and rising townships ; and again on the other side of the bright water, bounded by steep ridges of the Peninsula, where red rocks peep out here aud there from the rich volcanic soil, lay other townships, nestling in sheltered gulleys, and on a conspicuous eminence tho fine house built by Mr Larnach, and generally known as " The Castle." In the harbor we noticed at intervals the buoys placed to mark the only channel adapted for large vessels— a channel which, we afterwards learned, was not maintained without considerable expense and labor in dredging, the shifting nature of the soil rendering it liable to be filled up, and the bar at the mouth ot the harbor which prevents the free reflux, of the tide adding to the danger ; but ever to hint at the possibility of such a catastrophe is looked on as an insult by the patriotic citizens of Duncdin, After passing Port Cliaimers and Quarantine Island, the noble sheet of water widens into a land-locked bay some eight or ten miles long, and rather more than half that in breadth, and at the head of this bay or harbor (it is called by both names) is the city of Duncdin. Few town • that I have seen are more beautifully situated : surrounded on all sides but one by steep hills covered with grass and bush, at her fret tho broad sweep of sparkling water, ever changing in its restless beauty ; on the unenclosed side a low sandy isthmus from one to three miles wide, and look ing much less, and beyond that again the intense purple-blue mist of the great Pacific, it is impossible to imagine a fairer site. The business part of the town is chiefly built on a small area -of flat land, partly reclaimed from the harbor. Here we found many fine buildings of brick and stone, which impressed us by the solidity of their construction and handsome design, also many warehouses and offices, which could compete favorably with those of most cities of the old world, and Princes street (the chief thoroughfare) is lined with fine shops resplendent with plate glass and other modern improvements. The buildings are almost too numerous to specify—a fine Museum, a University, a Town Hall (in process ot erection), two theatres, etc.

Numerous churches of all denominations—among the latter the; elegant spire of the First Church (Presbyterian) built of Oamaru stone, deserves especial mention, both on account of its graceful proportions, and nlso because of its commanding site, which enables it to dominate the greater part of the city, a snowwhite finger pointing ever upwards.

Immediately behind the flat part of the town the hills rise very steeply ; hero, on terraces partly excavated, partly embanked, are built the pretty houses of the merchants and other residents of the city. Surrounded by garcens and half hidden by trees, these houses, some of them fantastically quaint like children's toys, others of the true tea-chest pattern so much affected by wooden buildings, have a most picturesque effect, and have been not inaptly likened by our local poet to fl.ikes of foam thrown upwards by the waves. Forming a semi-circle round the city is a broad belt of busb, carefully preserved in its native wildness, and traversed by a good carriage road, from which may be seen some of the loveliest views imaginable of the town and, harbor. This green wall—so beautiful, and so wisely preserved—marks the boundary of the city ; but the suburbs have already extended far beyond it on all sides, and still it pushes out its feelers like some gigantic octopus, until one is ■ tempted to wonder when imd where it will stop. Already it is by far the largest city in New Zealand, and there can be no doubt that its situation, combined with the energetic, go-ahead character of its inhabitants, entitle it to be called the commercial metropolis of the islands, and probably a great future is in store for this beautiful Liverpool of the South.

The climate of Dunedin is mild and damp ; rains of three days' duration are the rule rather than the exception, and wise persons seldom think of going out without the protection of umbrella and waterproof. The ■winter days are often warm and pleasant, but in the spring and autumn cold winds and heavy rains are general. Among the other attractions of Dunedin I must not forget to mention the Public Gardens, generally spoken of as the Botanic and Acclimatisation Grounds, though on what principle the latter epithet has been bestowed I know uot, as, with the exception of a few ducks and one solitary silvet pheasant, I am not aware of any foreign visitors whose residence in these gardens could serve as a pretext for the high-sounding name ; but the gardens themselves are very charming: one part is tastefully laid out in lawns, ponds, paths, and flower-beds, where the roses in summer, and later on the geraniums and dahlias and other flowers too numerous to mention, sweeten the air with their fragrance and charm the eye with the richness of their tints. Another part of the gardens is still left in its wild, native luxuriance. Here the indigenous bush trees and

creepers remain in their pristine beauty, such as they were before the pakeha set font on this fair southern land, and judi-couslv-cut : paths through the dense growth enable us to perceive its beauties, and, as they wind upwards, afford many a glimpse of the city below and the blue waters of tho ocean, bounding the horizon, and melting into limitless distance beyond.