WAYSIDE NOTES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2735, 22 November 1871, Page 2

WAYSIDE NOTES.

(By our Special Reporter,) QUEENSTOWN. This is the nearest place of civilisation to that wretched settlement, Martin’s Bay. I say wretched from the infamous manner in which it has been treated. The members of the Government who induced families to go there and settle, and then leave them no road to get away, no means of driving over , stock, or obtaining fresh meat for some eighteen months, deserve at tbe least fourteen years’ penal servitude. You ventilated your wrath on the matter some time since ; I am doing so now. I was talking yesterday to a man not long over from the 8ay.,,, Be described tbe costume of our West Coasii,residents and pioneers, who came to his camp at Big Beach. I heard a similar story before You must imagine a man of tall stature, wearing no hat, unkempt, uncut matted hair, answering the purpose ; for pantaloons a pair of old worsted tattered drawers, -the tatters of which were held together by flax lashings ; a flour sack, with a hole in the bottom through which to put his head—two holes, one on each side, through which to thrust his arms—sufficed for shirt, coat, and waistcoat; pararas—the fUx mocassin of the Maori—on his feet; and a sealskin , for a blanket. Living Ijke a native on eels and woodhens, he was going to the township to purchase some trines—as tobacco, powder, &c. There being women about Jamestown, the party had to rig him out in some old clothing to make him anything like decent to appear. Were 1 convinced the man had no intention of again becoming a civilised member of the community, I would have no hesitation in publishing his name. Scores of men who have been to Martin’s Bay will recognise the portrait. A tgwnship has been surveyed at the head of the Lake, some iSOO sections—streets laid out, and reserves made ; but as the land is subject to beiug under water, and more eligible sites for building purposes easily obtained, the rush, for allotments will not likely be in our time. There are large areas of average laud in most of the river beds in the neighborhood, and in the future a township as large and thriving will exist at the head as at Kingston and Queenstown. There is ro >m to go backward and breathe untainted air. and plenty of timber there. Many people have an idea the district at the headef the Lake may yet, maintain a large

■ •. *1 mining population. . The Shotover Reefs crossing sortie seven or eight miles up the valleys of the Dart and Rees, strengthen the probability. The Lake itself is like a huge fissure in the crust of the earth, between the steep mountains on either side, through the bre iks and gorges of which the wind sweeps down in sudden and powerful gusts. From the island, some seven or eight miles from its head, the view is magnificent. The virgin Mount Earnslaw, over 9000 feet high, divides the Itecs from the Dart, and with perhaps two exceptions, his in its basin one of the largest glaciers that may be lound in the mountain range. It is a huge mound, detached from the main range, always suffering from cold in its hoary head. There is nothing more kaleidoscopic in scenery than walking roun I a detached mountain like this, and seeing its different aspects from various points of observation. On the shaded side of the mountain the inequa'ities in its surface are somewhat toned down by the white garment it wears ; while on the western side it s summits appear at times as points and pinnacles; at sunset clad in the rosiest of colors, till the greyness of night hides them from view; while, early in the morning every rugged jutting portions fits crest seems unfurling white vaporous banners to welcome the rising sun. There are two saw mills, three public houses, and about 70 or 80 residents at the head of the Lake. The old saw mill belongs to the “ firm", that cut timber, get firewood', supply posts and rails, provide locomotive means up and down the Lake, grow corn, grind wheat, and perform wisely, kind* ly and well, their mission and duty in this lacustrine town. I hear its head, aM. P. C., is not highly impressed with the samples of our legislative society. I expect the lawyers must nave an interest in the other mill by this time. One doctorjwas at one time suffix cient here, till the rhmo'ed advent of those learned in the law took place, •when a second became a sine qua 7ion. 1 wonder where all the, unfledged, lawyers will settle when they taka wing. I should scarcely imagine they will all find scope, and bread and cheese here. I suppose being a solicitor does not incapacitate a niati for breaking stones or wheeling a barrow, but I don’t fed certain it is worth costing so much time and mpuey as these fledglings expend'in attaining sue}; a circuitous mode of , coming to manual labor. ; I don’t expert the Civil List can help them when they mature. - They will haweto work or want.

~ Towards the Arrow and along the banks of the 'well-fenced farms and homesteads are found . from Frankton onwards. At one time this land was considered valueless- people thought it too high and chid. So well was this idea spread about that during the short period when laud could ,be purchased at will in the Province opljr one person had the temerity to select 160 acres. A large amount $f |aqd now valueless in the eyes of the public will ere many years be seized upon with avidity. At the outlet of : the; Lake is Robertson and Hallonatein’s flour mill—at Lake Hayes, Gilmour’s. When the Winton and Kingston railway is completed shipments bf grain will take place from ' this' district, and all the back country at the head of the Lake will be advantageously situated and suitable for settlement ; by its being brought in a short period of time to a port of entry. Considering the natural advantages Queenstown possesses in its surroundings, there cap be no doubt about predicting a bright picture for this inland town. When the reefs that are already initiated become developed, men give up wandering and take to themselves homesteads; the lines ot railway projected completed, thesuitablepnoccupied land in the vicinity fenced and 'Cultivated, this road made passable to the West Coast, this neighborhood will become more prosperous, possess greater attraction i for strangers -and visitors, and present more varied elements of interest to the traveller or holiday-seeker than any other with which I am acquainted in the Middle Island. . . . I paused here and lit my pipe, thinking if L said. mucfy more in. the laudatpry strain it would consideredthat Mem Herr and St. Dennis had induced me to write an advertisement that should be inserted free of cost. Well, they can send me a cases of No. 2 for Christmas, and then i’ll cry p:ccavi. If you want change, holiday, or renewal of vigour, you may‘go and’see'St. Dennis or Mein Herr; and if you are not' satisfied, call me no true prophet. There is no other place that I know of where there is so much within reach. If’yon want to 7 climb a hill you can do so by trying ISarnslawor Auruen, if you want a pull in a boat, you can have a fifty-mile stretch. If yon want to' go botauisiug, you can get specimens of most plants found in the island between the Lake level and snow line. If you are fond of shooting, go up the Rees or Dart and you can shoot your fill. Are you looking for the rare birds of New Zealand, go on any of the ranges and you can shoot plenty of kaos—they have only one in the Dunedin Museum—cross the saddle, or the Routeburn, ami you can find kiwis and the kakapos ad. lib. Are you a geologist or mineralogist ? you will find a wild, wide, and novel field within reach, all unexplored. Do you want savage or rugged scenery ? go up the Shotover or Dart and you find ruggedneas and savagery more ragged and savage than you had ever previously imagined. If you want comfort, and . enjoyment, and repose {from worry of life, get nip and bathe m the clear cold water of the Lake every morning during your stay eat a hearty breakfast, take a pull oral ride till dinner time, and it you have anything in your head or your manners, you will find appreciation and jovial companionship at night, even in this 41 Ultima • Thule, this onlakish city,” as it has been uncharitably called.