FROM CROMWELL TO PEMBROKE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1019, 28 October 1881, Page 3

FROM CROMWELL TO PEMBROKE.

After travelling about seven miles, I reached the fifth wayside hotel, formerly known as Maidman’s, but now owned and occupied by Mr T. Trevathan. Here, too, farming and storekeeping are combined with the dispensing of liquors. The buildings are not very pretentious, but evidently every attention is paid to the comfort of travellers. From the size of the trees of different kinds on the property, I concluded that it must have been the first accommodation house in these parts. It stands in close proximity to Luggate Creek, over which is placed a very slight foot-bridge, the creek being fordable at all times and seasons, except in time of floods. On the opposite side thereof is erected the flour-mill, belonging to Messrs Anderson and Mclntosh, which appears to be a very substantial structure, and must be a great boon to settlers throughout the entire district.

After pass'll!* the places mentioned, f had to ascend a very steep hill, but the gradient was very uniform all through, so that I had not much trouble in reaching the summit thereof, when the Mount Barker Plains for the first time burst upon my vision, both on the right and left The Mount Barker block is several miles in extent, and is well adapted for settlement Already much of the land has been taken up, an 1 I fancy the settlers have made a good selection. After another ride of six miles, I reached Albert Town, which presents a somewhat sterile appearance, having been rendered so by the devastating flood of 1878. The township consists of one hotel and store, a post office and a few cottages. • Leaving Albert Town on my right, I wended my way to Pembroke, a distance of two miles, which I reached in good time, after working my passage for two days as already described; but how mine eyes •gasod around on a beautiful prospect of

bills and valleys, woods and water that gave the sunbeams. The beautiful Wanaka Lake, on the bosom of which floated a number of boats both great and small, appeared as a picture not excelled by the pencil of an artist. Those who have nut visited this place are strangers to one of the most beautiful spots of which New Zealand can boast ; with sparkling rills and bubbling fountains, fair vales, and heavenaspiring mountains. In the south, the hills and valley's were illumined with the struggling rays of the declining sun, and right in the West a big blade cloud stretched i self across across the sky with edges of gold and silver. Bright even to intensity', behind the cloud, was eusconsced the suu flinging right and left, above and below, bis glittering beams. While I gazed on the glowing scene, 1 thought what a goodly world is this when Fancy and Hope and Expectation have drawn the picture. 'The morning after my arrival I was up betimes, and after attending to many litt e things, by 7 3d or a htt'e more, shaven and shorn, and attired in my best apparel, I was ready to take a stroll along the beach of the beautiful lake, on thesu' faoe of which I marked the glittering bubbles that, like earthly expectations, shone so brightly one moment, and burst the next. When I started my walk the sun was pouring forth his unbearable beams in a torrent of light fall in my face, while I was admiring the King of Day ; but afterwards it bccamo cloudy and windy. In a very short time the lake became rough, and grand beyond description was the sight. Sitting in a sequestered spot was a woman, with a girl by her side She had a parasol over hothead. As I was passing, a gust of wind rushed up, and taking it out of her hand sent it whirling to where I was passing. 1 secured it, and on returning it to her said, “ Madame, if yon were as strong as you are handsome it would not have got away from yon.”

“ Which shall I thank you for first—the service, or the compliment ? ” said she, smiling. “ That look, madame, amply repaid me for both services,” I replied. “1 have, ’’ said she, “been sitting here for some time, watching the incessant motion of the water, which is a mystery to me.” Then, pointmg'to a sort of natural seat convenient to her, she said, “It is dry.” I readily accepted the invitation, and she resumed talking of the lake, then of the ocean, and desirous to know its extent and depth, the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the ti ms, etc. ' -

I observed that the most reliable authority we have gives the extent of all the water of the seas as 145,000,000 square miles, and the different soundings taken were from six to eight fathoms.

She thanked me for this little information, and said, “1 will be here often, and I hope I shall see you again. lam an only daughter, and my name is Miss Fortune.” This was a kind invitation, and it came from the most beautiful woman 1 had ever seen. She was mild, modest, discreet, genteel, amiable, and affable or as near perfection as humanity can asoire to. She asked me where I was staying, and I replied, “At Mrs Russell’s, where there is shade and shelter, and the best accommodation up-country ; the potatoes are more mealy, the milk more creamy, and some say the fish are less sci'y.”