NOTES

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 635, 15 May 1852, Page 3

NOTES

Of a short Tour into the interior of the Northern Colony of N"ew Zealand, in March and Aiml, 1852. Having engaged five Maories to accompany us and carry our luggage, consisting of a tent, carpet bag, some cooking utensils, and a small supply of stores, as provisions for our journey, on the 26th March the natives slung their pekans on their shoulders, and set out for the Waikato. On the following clay, I left Auckland at two, r.M., and, after a pleasant ride of four hours, arrived at Mr. Cole's Inn, Papakura, at sunset. Along the whole line of road from Auckland to Papakura, about twenty miles, the country is nearly filled up, and in some parts thickly populated, especially in the district between Auckland and the River Tamaki, which is worthy of a particular description. From Auckland to Itemucra, from Remuera to St. John's College, from St. John's College to the Tamaki, Panmurc, and Otahuhu, the whole country is subdivided and enclosed, and brought into the highest state of cultivation. Iloiuej and homesteads, indicative not only of comfort but of wealth, appear one after another in rapid succession. Here are to be seen Farms, varying in size from one hundred to one thousand acres, in iho highest state of cultivation ; and innumerable fields of the finest pastures, containing fifty, one hundred, and many of them two hundred acres, all fenced— some with substantial stone walls, and others with hawthorn hedges — meet the eye in every direction. At the same time, situated by the waysides, in the green lanes, and amidst the quiet copses, appear numberless cottages, with their fruit gardens and slips of cultivation and pasture land, intersected with numerous hedgerows, all characteristic of rural life, tastes, and occupations. A great part of the country around Auckland is level or slightly undulating, with less wood than might be expected, and would be monotonous were it not for its cultivation and the existence of a number of volcanic hills of considerable height, isolated, and rising abruptly fiom the plain These hills are to bo seen, all over the district, situated at a considerable distance from each other : some are clothed with wood on tho sides and round the base, and all of them covered with wild shrubs and luxuriant indigenous vegetation, — which, contrasted with the graces of cultuie, display fresh beauty, and embellish the landscape with more engaging charms. And not less attractive in appearance are the different villages and hamlets of Remuera, Epsom, St. John's College, Pttiunuro, and Otahuhu, which lie scattered over the face of the country, like the bright tints in a painting, imparting life and animation to the scene ; while beyond the blue and placid waters of the Waitemata, on the opposite shore of the Auckland Harbour, in their varied character of grandeur and beauty, appear

the dittercnt Islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu, and Waiheki, forming half a circle, and enclosing the estuary from the sea. Beyond these again, in the distance, and bounded by the horizon, is to bo seen the dim outline of the mountain ranges near Cape Colvill, 3000 feefc high, on the opposite side of the Frith of the Th unes ; which, under the brightness of a summer's sun and an Italian sky, fill up and complete the features of a landscape, conspicuous for its capthating loveliness and surpassing bcanty. And this scene becomes still more interesting when it is recollected that, in some measure, it i.s associated with the memory and rendered classic by the genius of Cook, as some of the prominent features of the country so faithfully delineated by the great navigator, arc to be seen from the windows and verandahs of the houses in the Town of Auckland. And, upwardb of seventy years before New Zealand became a British colony, Captain Cook, in his interesting narrative of the country, made the following observations in reference to the site of its future capital: — "If the settling of New Zealand should ever be deemed an object deserving the attention of Great Britain, the best place for establishing a Colony would be the Frith of the Thames, where settlements might be extended, and a communication established with the inland parts of the country." And Captain Hobson, the first Governor of New Zealand, an able and experienced officer who had pieviously acquired, in the course of service, a perfect knowledge of the country, directed his attention to the same quarter, and fixed the site of the capital on the shores of the Waitemata, one of the estuaries of the Frith of the Thames. A severe attack of apoplexy, however, preiented Governor Ilobson from carrying his design into immediate operation, and the settlement of the capital was in consequence delayed for some time ; and it was not until the Ist of February, 1 842, only ten years since, that "the first sale of country lands took place at Auckland. Governor Hobson's selection of a site for the Seat of Government was soon after confirmed by Lord Stanley, and Auckland, by .Royal proclamation, became the capital of New Zealand. After crossing the Tamaki by the new bridge, a short distance from the Village of Otahuhu, and about nine miles from Auckland, the road for four or five miles runs through a very fine district, chiefly of an undulating charactei, although in some places extremely level. This district extends from Pukake Creek, on the Manukau, to the Town of Uowick — about twelve miles in length, and from three to six miles broad. On the east it is bounded by a low range of wooded hills, remarkable for their beauty ; and on the west by the River Tamaki, which almost intersects the Island, and is navigable as high as the bridge, from which place to Auckland a steamer runs daily. The greatest part of this district was only brought into notice about two years since, but it now contains numerous farms, many of them extensive and well cultivated : some of the houses and homesteads are of a superior description, and, from their situation, extremely beautiful. This part of the country presents many attractions, being beautifully wooded, intersected with numerous streams, and possessing a soil of the greatest fertility. On arriving at the foot of the ridge, we were shown the new line of road, which runs to the right of the present one, and takes a course round the base instead of ascending the hill, which is a great improvement on the old line. We observed two men and a boy at work upon it ; but for such a party to attempt making a road is absurd, as the fern seemed to grow much faster than they could cut it down. The old road over the ridge is easily travelled on horseback, but not well adapted either for a carriage or dray. Near to the top we passed ono or two cottages, and observed some patches of cultivation. A short distance to the right, the Surveyor- General's farm is to be seen, — the homestead looks pretty enough, but the land does not appear to be of the best description. After passing through the woody belt immedi* ately beyond Mr. Hunter's cottage, we arrived at an open country ; and a few hundred yards further on brought us to the brow of the hill, and in view of the Papakura Plain, and beyond it the chain of wooded hills near to the source of the Wairo River. This chain of hills extends, in a southern direction, from the Wairo to the Waikato, and is the eastern barrier of the Auckland district, through which no one has ever penetrated — and the country immediately beyond it still remains a terra incognita/-' The district of Papakura is beautiful, and in appearance resembles the country in the neighbourhood of Windsor, in New South Wales. Mr. Cole's house is pleasantly situated near to the old Pah of Papakura, at the termination of a level plain containing upwards of seven thousand acres. The Papakura River runs through this plain, which renders it very valuable, affording as it does at all times, not only an abundant supply of fresh water, but is well adapted for machinery, and Mr. Cole intends erecting a mill near to where the river falls into one of the creeks of the Manukau, which will be of great importance to the district. This is characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon family ; for it is said wherever they go they erect a mill, a Church, and a brewery. Mr. Cole has done well to erect a mill, as I have no doubt the Church and brewery will soon follow, and the Village of Papakura promises to be one of the loveliest that ever adorned a landsdape. We left Mr. Cole's on the morning of the 28th and took the road for Tuakua. On leaving the Papakura Plain, we soon ariived at a fine undulating country, where the soil is of the richest quality, and the landscape of unusual beauty, from the numerous clumps of wood still remaining, giving it the appearance of an English park. This spot was purchased from the natives by a Mr. Chisholm and some others, under the authority of Governor Fitzßqy's land-purchase proclamation, and is still known by the name of Chisholms Bush. But the purchase was disallowed by Governor Grey, and the land was seized by the Surveyor- General. As Chisholm, however, did not complete his purchase, the native title remained still in force ; and the land could not therefore, by any possibility, revert to theCroAvr. In the first instance, the natives strongly remoi.strated with the Governor on the injustice of such a proceeding, without obtaining redress ; but when the Surveyor- General attempted to survey the land, they very naturally became exasperated, and drove off the surveying party, resumed pos&ession, and still retain it, although the Government have resorted to every expedient to recover it, except the proper one of paying for it. There is, however, little doubt but the Government will purchase this block, as the natives have oflpred to sell it on extremely moderate terms — about sixpence per acre. Half an hour's ride further on brought us down to the pass of Slippery Creek, which is the extreme point of one of the numerous creeks of the Manukau. On the present line of road Slippery Creek is rather an ugly looking place, and from the slippery nature of 'the rocks, and perforate cl with innumerable holes of some depth (very convenient for a horse to put his foot in) some caution is necessary in crossing it on horseback, but as the new line of road runs higher up and leaves the creek, this awkward spot will therefore be avoided. The tide runs to a considerable height in the creek, and as two small streams fall into it atone point near the present crossing pkee, it looks somewhat formidable dvi ing flood tide, especially if there is a heavy fresh in the rivers. We crossed at low water, but many people take it at the (lood, and swim their horses. (To be continued.)

* Mr. ]J»bi>r, ot the Snivpy Oilice, übont the end of Mai cli in tlio prest'itt yiai, ciosscd tins chain, and pioceocled a few milts, b^und it, and repoils the couutiy availably.