Klondyke.

Manawatu Herald, 21 July 1898, Page 3

Klondyke.

The " Chronicle " has published an interesting letter dated 20th May from Lake Bennett from Mr Willie Beaven, eldest son of the well-known Mr G. Beaven, of Wanganui, from which we take the following : — WRANGLE HARBOUR. The last day of April saw us once more upon the briny, and high time it £0 s too, to be sailing, for waiting had almost exhausted our patience. I might mention here that the fare from Victoria to Skagway cost us twenty dollars, which would stand about four pounds in our money. This part of the journey was a real enjoyable one. The weather was glorious, the scenery grand, and the sea like a sea of glass. Never once were we out of sight of land ; in fact most of the way lay narrow channels between j islands and the main land. The hills, the whole distance, were covered with' the winter's snow, and each day's journey north showed it nearer the water's edge. On May 2nd, during the early hours of the morning, we sailed into Wrangle Harbour, the starting point of the Stikine Route. Here we remained for about 3 hours discharging cargo, so we availed ourselves of the opportunity to see the "ponders of the place. Most of the houses, if they may be called such, are built on piles, close to the beach. The footpaths are raised in the same manner, and made of uneven planks, about two feet In width. This is an old Indian trading station, .and in many places may be seen old carvings standing, such as may be seen in Maori Land. Many of the carvings, of course, are of a different nature. SKAGWAY. After leaving there we touched no land again till arrival at Skagway on May 2nd. Between these ports we passed great numbers of whales and seals, and these were about the only animals we saw the whole journey. 9 o'clock in the morning saw us into the last port, the modern hell on earth of Skagway. Of all the places I've seen for thieves, vagabonds and cutthroats this takes the bun. Before we had been jn the town a quarter-of-an-hour, two of our New Zealand ship mates came running to us in a great way for help, as they had just been "done' 1 for 750 dollars. It was an old trick that all on board had read and hear4 about, so there was no excuse for men to be had in the way that they were. (To be continued.)