A VISIT TO OPOTIKI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 12 February 1873, Page 3

A VISIT TO OPOTIKI.

The steamer Southern Cross, finding it impossible to get into Opotiki, ran into Olmva and landed myself and other passengers, with about, two dray loads of cargo, on the beach. Some of us decided at once (in the absence of any conveyance) to walk to Opotiki, a distance "of eight miles —a walk not in itself unpleasant, on a. nice evening, but between us and the end of our journey were three rivers. Fortunately, the tide was low. On reaching t he Waiotahi. two miles on our n ad off went boots and stockings, and hy well lucking up the inexpressibles this was safely cros’cd. Two of the pedestrians thought a walk barefoot on tbe sand would be pleasant, but changed their opinion after a few hundred varus. The orderly with the mail bad ridden on before, and as one gentleman was expected at Opotiki, wo soon met a rider with a led horse, much to the gratification of the lucky traveller and his companions, for now we saw a slant of getting over the other rivers dry shod. Hunter’s Creek, two miles from Opotiki (by the road), whs crossed riding double, then following the newly made road through Mr. Kelly’s property, we soon came to what is commonly known aa Wilson's crossing over the Wuioeka, and hi ere we felt the full benefit of our four footed friends, for though the river was too low to render available the ferry, it. was too high to make fording pleasant, t here [Ling in reality two branches to cross, which having accomplished in safety wo reached the townshin about half-past eight. Meanwhile those.-who landed from the steamer at Ohlwa with freight, had to remain on the beach all night, dravti having been sent off from Opotiki they arrived early the next morning. Having clone full justice to a good tea, at the Wharf Hotel (and here I must remark upon the excellent quality of Opotiki beef), we diCovered all the bedrooms engaged, but found good accommodation at- the Masonic, a fine large building opposite the church. In the evening tnv friend arid self were invited to visit the schoolroom, where we found a very pleasant party indulging in a dance, and were surprised to find the lit tic township could provide so many well dressed ladies. Having viewed the. light fantastic for some time, we adjourned to the large well lighted billiard room of the Masonic, and derived half-an-hour’s amusement from watching the local “ knights of the green cloth,” ami then to lied. In the morning it was a matter of snrnrße where nil the population stowed The town certainly is made up of straggling houses, most of them on lots varying in size trom one m four acres : but here and there a ruined house, dilapidated fence, and destroyed gardens, with a general growth of magnificent docks in gardens, fields, and roads, reminded tbe stranger of a vast deserted village. By the bye, what a pity there is no dock, as well as Thistle Act. Having made enquiries, I found a great nninv of the former inhabitants had moved. I borrowed a horse, and under the guidance of the local Eseulapius took a ride round. Leaving the township, we traversed the town bolt—-cut up into small farms and covered with crops of maize, corn, and potatoes. Here two roads branch off, one called the Waioeka and the other the Otnva. We chose the Utara, and for miles found Loth sides lined with well cultivated farms. The maize looked magnificent, the potatoes heal I Inland very clean, whilst fields of .wheat and oats intermingling added variety to the scene. It was then explained to me that so soon as Government had made the road, the settlors left tae town to occupy their farms. I noticed one farm in particular, with Its maize and potato*s, from the I style of buildings and the noisy greeting rf u small pack of hounds I naturally concluded it; to be the property of a ” rale ould Irish ginth-m-.i:” On enquiry, I found such lo he the case. 11 • <v • visited the blockhouse (now simply oecupi* d as a dwelling), and called at, auMher house, where we were hospitably entertained with ripe peaches und a bowl of sweet milk, we returned by another road, passing other farms to the town, plemed with our ride and prepared for the tea wo knew w.: i getting ready. V. The church in Opotiki is at-'present used far Constabulary barracks—cSiurch service (>or there is a clergyman} in the schoolroom. There is also a K, M. holding his Court in an unpretending ir-m bunding, but 1 in vain looked for the lock-up n-> bail.ling of any kind would pass mu-ter as such. 1 thought possibly there might be stocks, or at, least a strong post and chain for the safe custody of ullciidcrs, but nothing of t he kind could be found. At 1 art I discovered the lock-up | wns in tbe steeple of the church, approached by | -tens like the loft in ft stable. JJ-.-rc, if ;o occurs I will not ascend, t bey are h ailed up by ;v rope, i Out of curmsitv I tool; a I’cep at ii,c ace ecru- a a - ; t on, and Sound it sln-.rcd by a colony oi pigeon?. There is- tslsO a- Pest OdK.-e at. Upot iki. 1 bed occabh. n to vi-it d.ti'd Fund the port master a verv civil and intelligent n.;-u». i-i o ha- rgc o' otil;- c, saving’s bank, and momy or icr c fih c, ~i d performs the whole cui.es i be sum of bio per act um. Vv ho s;i\ s ihc New Z -iI .i.d u.jtcn:nicnt is estrav-.g o.t ? ATocei. her 1 was mudi please i wills my visit. I o Opotiki. It is a tunvii.g pome, and tb-mgl; the population umy nut pernap-3 !a.u.-t of an extensive money circulation, theru is very little

caance ul its h.-mig nfihved vei h o-ivort v or waul. in justice to mine icm of r, u > M isoe.-c. ( nun?tsay ui.s rooms were sheen, ace nuipocati.m good, arul charge;* mo ie:;U c. On our rhuru (.Pi ho«* s . b-i •!,> we bnl a good, look at the propertv of Mr k-d'y. M 11 R , on the i:o>c!l si.i-e o*. t lie \\ .'Veeeka. He .has built u commodious house on no eminence commanding t » very extensive view, whilst, hm well g-,-.od hinds iiMsi ticals gave it n tb.->:'cu -h iMighsh Mppcarancc. Leaving Opofski in the ail umos, \vc stopped fur t-,ni at \\ niuvitcnt' (the }>!aee 10-skcd quite livclv. u.iving a setmoner and cutter m the river), and 'v-uou-ii Miwphersou’s at Mi»fata the same night,. T iu;- next, dry uined at. Mukotu. ut esimivl's Hutol. wiser*' vvr- couut not help admiring tSie neatness ami many u nat .y contrivances of the manager, Mr Hnigh ; Ins wc.. j.cpt g.ird, n, ;ni;i ingenious puve of artuicial water, with a small island ami willow tree sa i::o c<-;;iri>. We reached Taur-anga comiort ably Iho evening oi the eceuiul day from Opolis.i. hit' only subject, of regret along the ime of road heme ilie number of ferries, that, at Ohi a.» in part.muiar ought to be provided with a gi.K->u side beau. iPiScaui ul g. rickety canoe. Tib.W O.LKK.