TAURANGA IN FUTURO.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 41, 22 January 1873, Page 3

TAURANGA IN FUTURO.

Attempted by (A. long way after "Rip Van Winkle.") IN TRBEB CHAPTEE3. The fond reader will picture the dream and the Ci wakening" to suit himself. Scene.—-Tauratiga, the home of the brave and the free. Etta..— 1898 or thereabouts; but the author never bure the palm for dates. COiTUllfi.— Accorui rig ly. [The following wonderful conception was originally for Mr Murray's "Guide to .New Zealand." That veteran publisher, however, having by last mail informed the talented author that it was " too Jong to w»ir, 5 this paper appears in the columns of " the Uuster." ior fear it would be lo&t to sight and r..ver stand a chance of being dear to anyone's memory. Of course, it's a considerable '• come down," but that can't be helped. K. B.—l he rifjnt of translation is strictly reserved —mind, strictly.] CHAPXEB THE FIBST. " Ghkbbtox ! Greerton ! Greerton ! Chango lure for Tauranga, Maketu, and Opotiki." I awoke -with these words sounding in my ears in a In class saloon carriage of the Great Northern Railway on the 220 d of January, 1898, having l-ft Wellington by the 8.45 p.m. express en route for Tauranga. On alighting from the c*r, I inquired o! the station master how long 1 should have to wait for the train to Tauranga, and was told that the neit train of the Bay of Plenty and E«t Co*st Railway Company left at 12 sharp from the other side of the station. Accordingly i—wiih other passengers for Tauranga, Opotiki, Gisborne, and other East Coast stations—was drawn across in mid air, in an open car on three wires, by means of hydraulic pressure. Punctual y at midnight the East Coast train started, and we arrived at Tauranga station at 12.5 am. On inquiring about an hotel of one of the porters, I found myself besieged by 'bus conductors, who in a loud chorus assured me that the Masonic, Victoria, Empire, Occidental, and many other establishments were the correct thing, when niy eye alighting on a gorgeous looking omnibus of immense height, brilliantly lighted with g*s, painted in stripes and bespangled with star.-*, I cut them short, hailed the conductor, and learnt from him that the *bua belonged to the United S'ates Palace Pavilion —proprietor, Signor Bennetini. 1 entered the 'bus, and found myself in a gorgeously Sited saloon, furnished with velvet. scfas and lounge?, a table running up the middle strewed over with newspapers ine»ery conceivable language under the sun. Feeling tired and thirsty and perceiving a blooming damsel 'at the far end dispensing liquids and solt nothings, I started up to her »nd asked for a pint of phiz. After imbibing the same, lit a cigar and lay down on a sofa, and gradually dozed off. I was suddenly aroused by voices, and found we had arrived at the U.S. P.P. ; time, lam. Got out, Dliuded with light—an enormous flaring star above the portico, stripes of coloured gas lamps all over the huae building, lights everywhere. Was ushered, with other.-", by three or four negroes dr : ?ssfd in s ars and stripes, into a huge hall; and on getting accustomed to the glare, saw advancing towards me a portly personage dressed in black fro':k coat. *hite waistcoat, an i black trousers ; Dundreary whiskero, chiti and upper lip clean shaved. Informed by him that he was glad to gee me. On asking for a room this portly personage touched a handle, which appeared to mo lika a telegraph hammer, and after sundry taps and a delay *A hardly thr e minutes, a negro appeared on the scene, took my portmanteau, bowed low, gave me a card marked " No. 3029 en suita," and con-

darted tne to «n hydraulic lift. After an ascent of five minutes duration (more or less), seated m an arm chair, with a'round table in front of me with a decanter of sheny and a box of Magmas on it, I reached the landing of No. 3020, where 1 was received by a European waiter—dressed in black swallowtail coat, white waisreoast, and black trousers, with a rosette in his button-hole of stsrs and stripes. Behind him was a most perfect chambermaid, dressed in star* and stripes, A* coon as I found myself able t o take my eyes off her, I followed the swallow tails, and was ushered by hitn into a gorgeous room tot't x 60ft, luxuriously furnished, pattern of carpet ar.d window curtains being stars and stripes. There, were folding doors at one e-id which opened without the slightest noise by means of a spring ; went through these into a smaller room, 48ft x 50ft, carpeted and curtained with star* and stripes! more folding doors, loadiug to a splendidly furnished bedroom. Was surprsed at the "total absence of the everlasting a tar* and stripes, in phu-e of which the carpet w : .s of Union Jack pattern, the window aad bed curtains being St, George's Cross. I expressed mv surprise to the w.utt-r at the absence of the star* and stripes ; who reph-d that this suite, No. 3029, was exclusively reserved tor English tourists, who strongly objected to being enveloped during their sleep'with the shirs and stripe*. I asked him whether the proprietor of this huge establishment was a Yinkee. He laughed, and said "No ;" that he had resided in T-uiringa for 27 rears; was an Knglishraan and a strut Om-err'afive at heart, bin thaf, since the mine* Hi m of New Z-aland to the United State.*, he hid son.; in for popularity in a busincs* point of" view by m.iu;s of sM?ii and stripes He also informed m« uihl I should be much surprised in the morning on going out to find that the whole tfstabii.shment-, covering an area of 4J- acre?, was painted with stars 'and stripes. Nest, morning, after a tub, a shave, and shampoo (by one of the brtrbers belonging to the eftab"\bmeni>, and a capital breakfast in what th.- v\ mn r w to »ill the " boudoir" (the snis'l r.. 0 *".rf m-ntioned—only 48ft X 56ft), 1 lir *™-i> ''dlinginto the stable yards enti*r. dm , u< wiih the manager, aMr Long, who L ii. ' , n <» a cigar whilst superintending the tie mi g • t an elegant barouche fc'rom this gent'e.i.nn. win I found very com-mu-uiative, I J«„rntd luat the hotel contained 900 bedrooms, to nearly ail of which were attached bv folding doors two large rooms, called respectively boudoir and visitors' room—us in the case of my apartments, No. 3,020 en suite ; that there were ::.:.' servants, not including the "atabling department;" tanks holding 75, ' gallons water; a steam laundry capable of washing 4,000 articles a d*y (a shirt washed, dried, ironed, and delivered in 15 minutes) ; that the flesh cf 1,2 ? oxen (fed on F-ignor Bennefini's run) was annually consumed in the establishment; that each room had bell telegraphs; that there were 23 omnibuses and 40 other v-lwdes for the accommodation, of visitors ; 'Zh mile* of verandah and balconies ; hot and old baths to each room ; 150 miles of gas and water pipes ; a bridal chamber so gorgeously furnished that 15 guineas a day is charged for its use ; and many other details too numerous to mention. Mr Long very kindly offered to show me over the ground floor of the hotel, and after a slight refresher, we accordingly " did the lions." Wo p is«ed through an extensive series of coffee rooms, Indies' e ff«-e rooms, drawing rooms, Board and public meeting rooms, billiard and smoking saloons, dining saloons, &c , and at last arrive at the kitchen seulh-nee, and so forth. The kitchen is something wonderful! Its dimensions are magnificent—l2oft long by 95ffc wide. There are recesses all round, in which are grouped cooking apparatus, each group distinct from th© others. The roasting grate is 15ft wide by 9ft high, with spits for 75 joints at once, governed fey a Jack worked by hydraulic power. Besides this, there is a chop and steak fire, so knowingly managed j that the smote is drawn downwards instead of | upwards, thereby saving anv chance of smoked j meit. Then comes »he fish fire for frying, broiling, and boiling, with two huge coppers; then the j p-ustry oven, in which row after row of nice kick- j shaws are baked at once ; then comes a compart- | ment in the special charge of the chef de cuisine j himself (a Monsieur Jimi .Tim : ) a semi- j circular s*ri"s of stoves heated by charcoal, by steam, and by hot —in'which the entrees are pr°t>arcd. In the middle of the kitchen is a table with a heart of kauri top, 50ft long and 10 inches in thickne*B. There, is what Mr Long described to m* as "a serving table," with a polished iron top, kept hot ; and near this is an hydraulic lift whereby (when the clerk has booked everything) the good things are sent up to their several destinations ; and to wind up all, the steam used so plentifully in the culinary operations, instead of being afterward* wasted, is made to heat a tank containing 1.000 gallons of water for the general use of the ho'el. After lunch T «'r>lh ' ,1 tho e*pl made—a splendid drive, 3jrWn- wi*le and hu '' Tit into the hirbour, p'mhd «u * '"J. «* i I iw< on each side, afFir Img rein f >»• ..m» glire. Went on boird some mi h « o i -, one of which was starting fur rim FntKi-to ; aW> went on board the United Sui>s fng.t,- Jonathan. While on board her, her Britannio Majesty's ship Xerxes steamed past, nnd respectfully saluted the Yankee by lowering her fl.ig, which salute was very graciously returned by the Jonathan. Blushed for my country, and returned on shore. Hail' ? a ' ;ib and drove out in the suburbs. On all sir - r.vght be seen the result of Yankee enter;,:.. ,-.»■] perseverance : Public halls, hospi*Hi, s ,uii.i ii ;'<' homes, &e. Inquiring of the driver what th;V fine building on our right was, he informed -- =, that it was the sight of the nlace—a hospital for the cure of aki-aki; recently built and handsomely endowed by a wealthy merchant long resident in Tauranga, who is reported to have made his pile out of the Maoris m the early day. This establishment is solely for the benefit of Maori children, and was very full on the occasion of my visit. The*e is also another institution largely supported by this noble-minded i liberal gentleman, for the supply of paper collars i and p cket handkerchiefs to the Maoris. I On my return- to town, I drove to the residence | of the officer commanding the garrison, thinking | it right to pay my humble respeets to the representative of the President of America. I also

wanted to obtain a British ensign, in or. on my verandah at the U.S. P.P. (havl* ,sl y obtained l«a ye iroin Signor Bennett, '„ }t ju honour of her KriUnnio Majestv*a s„" Xeries. I found General leearvee at home, attended by his A.D.C. and private secretary. After paying my respects, I ankad for permission to buy a flag j upon which tlie General eyed me suspiciously, pulled hi« whiskers and beard ferociously (ho has an enormous crop), muttered something perfeetlv unintel--I'R'blatome, but, which I was informed by the A.RU wns his consent to the purchase. After partaking of cigars and whiskey, 1 took my leave. I found wit. afterwards that this gentleman was a j captain before the annexation of New Zealand to America ; had distinguished himself 35 years ago during the Maori war, and that on tho annexation his corps was embodied in the American army, stationed permanently at Taurwys, and the gallant captain given field r.mk. Kignor Bennetini, to whom I spoke about General Teearvee, told mo ho had but, one fault, and that was that he was always going to play the deuce with tho Municipal Corporation. Signor B being ft Councillor, I imagine was rather sore on the bitbieet! That evening I dined with a gentleman "whose name I quite forgot, who entertained n?.o with conversation entirely about himself—his great wealth, enormous import nee, cat fie stations, and family history in general. His wheat, crop having averaged over 50 bushels to the acre. After dinner, I went with him to tho theatre to see the famous danseuse, Madomoisello Luc'illa Longina Georgia, in her great pas <jV The performances were under the patronago of General Ceearvee and the son, or nephew, or something of that sort, of my host at dinner, a colonel of Horse. A very clever J. P., mv host told nve, who, owing to his great experience on tho Bench, had just been requested by the Government to write a new " Justice of Pea-;e for New Zealand " --Judge Johnston's being useless siueo the abolishment, of British rule. After the theatre I bid mv host good night,and returned U> tho U.S. P.P. After a chat with one of tho 33 barmaids, and a glass of sherry and seltzer water, adjourned to one of tho billiard saloons, where I wj»s introduced to a gentleman of dark complexion, with whom I played a couple of games, losing both, owing to my opponent's groat skill at " screw cannons." I played a game of pyramids with a Mojor something (I'm a bad haod at names), and in the course of ten minutes or so gathered from his conversation that, he was a great mathematician, the manager of tho Bay of Plenty Company's ilour mills (ton in number), that ho had just patented an invention entirely doing away with tho necessity for machinery in the grinding of wheat, mid by whbh discovery he expected to clear a million of money. After a liquor with this gentleman, X stopped into my chair, touched a spring, and ascended to tho landing of No. 3029. I fiN'.B.—Mr Neveryoumind who bo>trs to inform his readers that the present chapter of " Tauranga in Futuro" is unavoiduhly taken up by descriptive introductory remarks ; but in tho succeeding chapters local celebrities will in due oourso."'