WAIPUKURAU.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 78, 29 June 1868, Page 2 (Supplement)

WAIPUKURAU.

I PBOH THE HEEAiD’a CORUEBPOITDEHT. | Monday, June 22. Yesterday forenoon, Mr. Schafer, the well known traveller, arrived at the Tavistock Hotel overland from Wellington. He left that city on the 4th June, and has walked most of the way, at is his custom. The bad weather detained him at several places on the road, but be reached the hospitable residence of Messrs. Hunter on Sunday week, where he stopped the night, and the next day was kindly brought on by them to Wallingford. Here he was detained four days, by tbe heavy rains, and on the fifth day attempted to reach Waipukurau; but tbe country was so flooded nearMotuotaraia that, after being four hours in the water and nearly drowned, he had to return to the Bridge Inn at nightfall. On Saturday he reached Mr. Nelson’s, at Arlington, where he was most kindly received and yesterday came on here.

Our host at the Tavistock, with bis usual liberality, not only entertained Mr. Schafer gratuitously, but gave him a trifle to forward him on his road, as the unfortunate traveller had lost what money he had, and most of his spare things, whilst struggling in the water the other day. He is at present the guest of Mr. Russell at Mount Herbert, and proceeds to Napier to-morrow, staying one night with Mr. Williams, of Te Aute. The Maori mailman, who happened to pass while Mr. Schafer was stuck in the water, unable to get on, asked £l to carry him over on his horse, and would not help him for less. A Maori passing was also asked for assistance, but after examining the contents of Mr. Schafer’s pockets, declined all help unless he gave him money, of which he had none at the time to give. The offer of his valuable compass, and a pair of new boots' were not sufficient—he continued to demand money, and .then went' on his way. During his stay at a village, not 50 miles away, Mr. Schafer was charged £1 14s. 6d. which, exhausted all his means, ; and he was allowed to-proceed on his journey during the late inclement weather on . foot—-the loan of a horse which he tasked from the innkeeper to Scarry, him through the: water, some three miles off, being refused.