TO MOUNT EGMONT AND BACK.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 50, 9 December 1882, Page 3

TO MOUNT EGMONT AND BACK.

(special cobbespondent.) Being desirous of seeing a friend, who was amongst the first purchasers of, and settlers on, the Waimate Plains, I took train a few days ago for that locality. Knowing that many of your readers are unacquainted with that far-famed district, I beg to offer them a few of the impressions made on me by my trip. In passing I found that the Wanganui people complained of having large stocks and dull times just now. Their little pel railway to the heads is not commenced yet, and they seem to cease expecting large things from it, merely looking on it as a convenient means of reaching a quiet watering place, and a pretty site for tbe future palatial residences of Wanganui merchant princes -both very desirable adjuncts — to a prolonged residence in tlie city of sand hills. The large number of hotels in Wanganui brings the usual <econd thought of the large amount of foolish money spent to support them. The country between Wanganui and Waverley appears at its best during this season. The large _reen fields, beautifully dotted and ornamented with clean, healthy looking sheep, and herds of finelooking cattle, speak in unmistakable terms of nn old aud prosperous settlement. The farmhouses also attract attention by their neat, comfortable, and in many cases grand appearance. A large square house with verandah on ihree sides, describes in a few words many of the better class ; at least thee are hnlf-a-dozen to be seen, to a 11 appearance, built from the same plan. The country between Waitotara and Hawera "ceiiis to be well settled on for a depth of at least 10 miles from the coast. The evidences of rich soil and prosperous settlement seem to increase until you reach the thriving town of Pa tea, the third and last river harbor between Wellington and New Plymouth that is likely to be used to any extent as a small port. Patea must become, eventually, a place of considerable importance. Even now it shows signs of great vitality and progress. The hotels, banks, and stores, are mostly creditable buildings. I must not forget to mention the greatest source of of discomfort to be met with in travelling oa the coast at present. A few days of tine weather make the dust on the roads between Waverley and Hawera (30 miles) a perfect plague. Of course the railway will soon put an end to it. About 10 miles more to Patea is expected to be opened in about six months, but in the mean tima the dally coach is equal to a " time ball," aa the settlers far and near may know its whereabouts by the clouds of dust it raises. I will always pity the poor travellers by coach in summer time; the dust must be also a great trouble to business people in the various towns. Between Patea and Han era we saw a Maori having a wash at a small stream on the road side. The coachman told us he was blind, and was well known for miles around as being able to go out into his paddock, catch bis hone, ride 6 miles to town, stop at the hotel, have his glass of beer, go to his store, do his marketing, come back to where he left hii horse, and mount and ride home, as if there were nothing the matter. No doubt hia faithful horse should be credited with a good part of the performance. The' greatest object of interest to the mere tourist, and that which must evei and anon catch the glance of anyone travelling North or living on tlie West ' oast, is Mount Egmont. The eye seems never to tiie gazing on itu majestic proportions, as it symmetrically rises Irom its forest base, through nearly all the phases of climate, to its perpetua snow-cap. Looking at it — as the utili tarian at Niagara — as I slowly approachec his Serene Highness, I wondered to wha varied use he might be turned. A siti for a lighthouse for the Southern Hem isphere; foi a Transit of Venus Observa tory ; the Royal flag- staff hill of Nei Zealand ; a refnge ating factory al these schemes passed through my mini as the coach rattled along. It is a mag nificent mountain, of which the Nort Island may be justly proud. [To be continued in onr next.]