ON THE WAY TO KIMBERLEY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3018, 6 July 1886, Page 2

ON THE WAY TO KIMBERLEY.

Under this heading, Mr Malcolm Graham, of Orwell Creek, writes to the Grey River Argus as follows: On board the s.s. Hauroto. June 8, 1886. Dear Sir—When I promised to write on leaving Greymouth I had no intention oj sending anything but Kimberley news. Bat having nothing to do whilst our splendid stear ship Hauroto is gliding along the surface as smooth as glass and bidding adieu (I hope for a time) to the snow-clad peaks of the New Zealand Aljjs, as they gradually disappear below the horizon in the distance behind us, I cannot overlook making special mention of the courtesy and kinduess shown to us during our short sojourn in Wellington by Messrs Setldon and Menteath,"our West Coast representatives. Mr Seddon's genial face was the only one I recognised among the crowd when we drew up alongside the Wellington wharf. He was soon among us with a cordial shake of the hand, and exclaiming, "If my constituency is going, I will go too," and after some conversation with one and another, he led us (24 in number) up town—and first, after the usual West Coast custom, introduced at Host G. Gilmer's bar. As we were to leave early next morning, he offered to show us everything in Wellington that was worth seeing, and that the short time at our disposal would permit. He then led us np to Parliament House, where we met Mr Menteath, who also, like Seddon, said that if his constituency were going to Kimberley he would go too. The Parliament House and its arrangements are indeed a credit, to any young country, particularly the library. During our progress through the House we were introduced to the Veteran Knight—or, I should rather say, the G.O.M. of New Zealand, who was in the Honse at the time. He was very glad to see us. He, as we all know, had been in Western Australia for some time. He speaks favourably of the climate, but ho strongly impressed on us to be cateful with our diet, and wished us every success. It is now about 18 years since I saw him last, and I consider that he keeps up very well. Although it was Sunday eveniug, we met several

of the members in the House and were introduced to them all as Kimberley men, and among them was the miners' pet Captaiu Sutter, who did not seem much interested in ns. I rather think that he would be glad if 25,000 miners in New Zealand were on the eve o" their departure with ns. Mr Fergus is a jolly fellow. He seems quite conversant wito Western Australian matters, and has friends there. We were also introduced to the Hon. Mr Larnach, who said he was verry sorry to see us leaving New Zealand, but hoped it was for the better. He gave us a letter couched in the most compliment iry terms, introducing 26 "West Coast miners to the Government Resident at Dei by, aud I sincerely hope that none of us will ever be found to break faith with the confidence reposed in us on this occasion. Having now viewed all the mystic scenes of that grand edifice which we all helped to build, including a very laughable cartoon of the Premier carrying the Colonial Treasurer on his back, which waß pasted on the wall in the Opposition room, we were introduced in turn by both Mr Se'ddon and Mr Menteat h to the bar of the renowned Bellamy's, where everything is to be found to comfort the inner man. I asked for Mr Guinness, but he was out of town, and I did not see him.