MR. SUTTON’S-JOURNAL.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 8, 26 August 1842, Page 4

MR. SUTTON’S-JOURNAL.

from onr last.) The Waikato river is here about a hundred yards broad, and extremely rapid. Numerous shallows occur at short intervals, but not running with sufficient force to prevent its navigation by canoes. ■ Leaving the river to' our left, we travelled over a hilly range of country for some miles, and at night reached a large pa, of which Te Pahi, (the chief who accompanied Mr. Shepherd) was the head man. We were treat-’ ed with great hospitality, and furnished with abundance of provisions. I have found the advantage of travelling with a man possessing some consideration amongst the natives, no payment being demanded. I, however, distributed a few sticks of tobacco amongst the “ Elders,” with which they seemed perfectly contented. The pa contained about two hundred people, many being absent at the cultiva- ■ tion grounds. I was informed by Mr. Shepherd, that the inhabitants generally mustered upwards of seven hundred. As the best method of preserving pork on a journey, may not be generally known to travellers in this country, I will mention the manner in which some was prepared for me, and which lasted upwards of a fortnight, without being in the slightest degree tainted. After having been cooked in a “ hangi,” or copper Maori, the flesh was removed from the bones, and being cut into small pieces, and placed in a calabash, a quantity of boiling-hot fat was poured over it. With a little salt, I am told that meat prepared in this way, will last f#r a month, even in warm weather. It was not until late the next morning that we resumed our journey, the native being “ full,” and consequently lazy. Our path lay through -an undulating country, covered with high grass, and a thick description of moss. The soil consisted of a black mould, intermixed with pumice-stone; no other description of wood than stunted manuka presenting itself. Perceiving a quantity of white smoke in the direction we were pursuing, I imagined it to proceed from some native fire; but, on enquiry, found that we were entering the district in which are the boiling springs. The one which we first met, presented the appearance of a basin, about twenty yards in diameter, and fifteen or sixteen feet in depth. Nothing was visible; but, at intervals, a quantity of black mud, boiling and bubbling in about fifty different places. On crossing a rivulet at some short distance . from the boiling mud-hole, I found the water considerably warmer than any I had previously met with; and, following the example • of my Maori companion, I laid down, and enjoyed a most delicious hot bath. After luxuriating in it for about half an hour, I resumed my walk, much refreshed. We passed many columns of smoke, or rather steam; but as I was told that our path would lead near the most extensive springs on the following day, I did not think it worth while to incur delay in visiting them. The country, generally, was hilly for some miles, valleys of considerable extent sometimes occurring. Both the plains and hills were covered with the high grass, which appears common to the interior of the country, and which is admirably adapted for grazing cattle. On attaining the summit of a high range of hills, we caught sight of Ruapaka, to the south-west, covered with snow. This mountain is frequently mistaken for Tongarido, which is more to the northward ; and the natives are not desirous of correcting the error, Tongarido being strictly tabooed; so much so, indeed, that even Captain Symonds, who possessed, perhaps, more influence with them than any other person who lias ever visited those parts, was unable to obtain Maories to show them the easiest ascent. ■ On descending the range, we entered a valley of considerable extent, to the left of which was a native settlement. The inhabitants having, a short time previously, left for Paupo, we found no one there but an old woman, who luckily had a good supply of corn and potatoes, and in whose hut I managed to sleep very comfortably. The next morning we started early, intending to breakfast at some hot springs about five ■miles distant. We travelled through several narrow valleys, intersected by numerous ravines, -evidently formed by volcanic action, the sides being almost perpendicular, and composed entirely of pumice-stone, of which larger quantities were scattered in every direction. The soil is exceedingly barren, even the grass being stunted, and very coarse. Indeed, it appeared of too poor a nature to produce any vegetable matter requiring sweet nourishment. We passed numerous small springs of boiling water; and, in some places, care was requisite in picking our way, the crust of earth, over some of them being so thin, as not to bear the weight of a man. The natives seemed to possess an instinctive knowledge of this locality, and I followed closely their steps. Two hour’s travelling brought us to the place fixed upon for taking our breakfasts, and a most picturesque spot it was. A deep, narrow, rocky gorge between the lofty hills appeared to be filled with hot springs, boiling and bubbling on all sides. The vegetation did not, however, seem to be affected by the proximity of the hot water; numerous shrubs and small trees growing immediately over some of them. Being

desirous of seeing the largest of the springs, 3 went-a considerable way down the ravine, and scrambled with much difficulty to the edge of one, from which proceeded the greatest quantity of steam. On arriving at the brink, I found my position any thing but pleasant. The steam almost scalded me, and the smell of sulphur was insupportable. A breeze of wind fortunately gave me an opportunity of obtaining a clear view of the spring. It was about sixty feet over, and looked like an immense cauldron. Numerous jets of water were thrown up in .about twenty places, to the height of seven or eight feet; and, occasionally, the whole pond was in commotion. At other times it was perfectly tranquil. The pool was surrounded with a sort of petrefaction, resembling beautiful Vandyke net work, and composed of the most brilliant colors, edged with a green outline. I very nearly got boiled in this spring. On obtaining the position I occupied, I had stepped upon a thin crust of what appeared to be rock, my weight, although slight, unsettled it, and I had the gratification of seeing it gradually settle into the hot water below. I acknowledge I was in a state of awful fright, and made a jump, which I should never have attempted in a cool state. “ Rear gives wings,” and, in this instance, fear certainly gave me strength, for I cleared the distance and got safely on terra firma. I rejoined my party, who expected I had met with an accident, it being very dangerous to approach the brink of the large springs. What was worse, they had finished their breakfast, and I was obliged to boil some potatoes in one of the springs. I managed to cook them famously, and became fully convinced of the inutility of carrying a “ go-ashore” in travelling through this part of New Zealand. Having fully satisfied both my curiosity and my appetite, I again made a start, and we proceeded in a southerly direction over an exceedingly hilly country, the soil of which was of a barren nature, covered with a very poor description of wiry grass, and composed, almost entirely, of pumice-stone, and a red stiff clay. We met a large quantity of natives proceeding with pigs to the station we occupied the previous night, and the chief Te Pahi was anxious to return with them. I, however, persuaded him to go with me as far as the river, fearing that, without him, I might find some difficulty in reaching Taupo. We met with no trees but small stunted manuka, and the face of the country, for some miles, afforded a barren, and almost desolate appearance. We crossed many small streams, running into the Waikato river, and all the valleys were plentifully watered. About noon we arrived at the Waikato, which I was surprised to find so large a river. This was about seven or eight miles below lake Taupo, and there appeared to be as much water in it as I had found a hundred miles lower down. The natives from Taupo having brought down their canoes, we took the smallest, and proceeded up the river, which is full of rapids, and it requires great attention and skill in the management of the canoes to prevent their being capsised. The banks of the river are generally veiy precipitous, composed of a light-colored earth, and the depth of. water is extraordinary —the natives stating that they cannot fathom it. The current runs with great rapidity, and we were obliged to pole up. Numerous hot springs present themselves on either bank, many of them within two or three feet of the cold water, and boiling up with great violence. We stopped at a settlement about four miles below the lake, where there is a most remarkable spring : it is surrounded by a wall of petrefaction about four feet high, and of a circular form. The natives wished to dissuade me from going near it, stating that it was very dangerous, and that a person had been seriously hurt some time since. On looking over the brink, I saw nothing to excite apprehension, the water being only boiling gently. About two hours afterwards, I heard a great noise, and on looking in the direction of the springs, perceived a column of water rising into the air, to the height of twenty or thirty feet; this continued at intervals for about a quarter of an hour, and I was fully convinced of the reasonableness of the apprehensions entertained by natives, as no notice is given of the eruption, and a person might be par-boiled before he had an opportutunity of making his escape. (I'd be continuedJ

Sleep at Will. —A mode of producing sleep without narcotics, has been, for some years, communicated to any one desirous of obtaining acquaintance with it, by a gentleman of the name of Gardener ; and we understand that he lias instructed hundreds in the art, many of whom have borne public testimony to his success. From the actual experience of persons in whom we have been long accustomed to place entire confidence, it seems to be ascertained that this remedy for sleeplessness requires no particular condition of the human constitution ; that it is equally applicable to both sexes, and to persons of any age ; that it overcomes the effects of mental anxiety or bodily pain, unless the former be excessive, or the latter unusually violent and acute; that it is equally available in bed, on the sofa, in an elbow chair, a carriage, or a steam-boat; that the process can be repeated as often as the patient may

happen to be disturbed during the hours intended for repose ; that no medicine need be administered, no external application, no aid from other persons ; above all, there are no opiates of any description used, and the process is so evidently harmless, that it may be adopted in any state of health or disease, without the slightest hazard. It is so simple and obvious, that it might have occurred to the mind of any one ; but Mr. Gardener has the merit of being the first to make the discovery publicly known, and practically to teach the art. His plan possesses almost all the advantages derivable from narcotics, and is, at the same time, wholly exempt from any of the disadvantages well known to be attendant on that class of remedies. The sleep obtained is as perfect and as refreshing as the patient can enjoy under any circumstances ; for it is thoroughly natural, and in no respect dependent on any causes which, properly speaking, might be called artificial. To some classes of insane patients it may be highly useful, and to the asthmatic, or to those labouring under chronic rheumatism, it must be peculiarly advantageous. It may, perhaps, be necessary to add, that neither animal magnetism, nor any thing resembling it, is ever resorted to by Mr. Gardener; on the contrary, he emphatically disclaims any knowledge of that so miscalled “ science.”— Times. A Striking Medical Fact.— There is no career which so rapidly wears away the powers of life, because there is no other which requires so great an activity, both of body and mind, as that of the medical man. He has to bear the changes of sie weather, continual fatigues, irregularity in his meals, broken rest, and to live frequently in the midst of miasma and contagion ; if in the country, to traverse considerable distances through by-lanes and dreary paths, on horseback, and sometimes perhaps on foot, exposed to storms and wind, to brave all dangers, to go to the relief of suffering humanity—and this too frequently without any remuneration. A fearful truth for medical men has been established by the table of mortality of Dr. Caspar, published in the British Review , viz:—Of 1000 members of the medical profession, 600 died before their 62nd year; whilst of persons leading a quiet life, such as agriculturists or theologians, the mortality is only 347 in a thousand. If we take 100 individuals of each of those classes 43 theologians, 40 agriculturists, 85 clerks, and 32 soldiers, will reach their seventieth year, but of 100 medical men, 24 only will reach that age. They are the sign-posts on the road to health, but very rarely tread in it themselves. How emphatically may it be said of them, “In the midst of life they are in death; ” and how important that that they be found as the wise virgin, with “their lamps trimmed, and they themselves awaiting the coming of the bridegroom.”

Country Banks Issuing Bank of England Notes Exclusively. —From the second report of the select committee on banks of issue, Appendix, No. 2, we find the number of country banks acting with Bank of England notes exclusively, having fixed amounts assigned, are 25 in number. There are 7 in Liverpool, the total amount of their credit being £1,035,000; 6 in Birmingham, credit £382,000; 4 in Newcastle, credit £395,000; 3 in Manchester, credit £670,000; 2 in Portsmouth, credit £45,000; 1 in Gloucester, credit £180,000; 1 in Swansea, credit £28,000; and one in Hull, credit £20,000. Total amount of credit, £2,655,000. The rate of interest charged by the Bank of England to the country bankers having fixed amounts is three per cent per annum. A Fine Country for Loafers. —According to Mr. Humboldt, there is a tree in the South Sea Islands which produces ready-made shirts. The natives cut off pieces of the tree, about two feet long, from which they draw off the red and fibrous bark in the same manner that boys draw off the bark of chestnut to make whistles. Each man selects a tree near his own diameter, so that the shirt may be a good fit. When the bark is off, they cut a hole in each side, to admit the arms. These shirts do not require any washing, starching, or ironing; and a more convenient article for loafers could not be imagined. The same country produces breadfruit ; so that a gentleman may get his board and clothes gratis ; and (what will meet the views of some Philadelphia gentlemen of leisure), he may sleep out all night, without any interruption from the watchman. Who will put in to establish a grand Loafers’ Colonisation Society, to facilitate the transportation of those gentlemen to the South Sea Island ? The idea of shirts and luncheons (query, auctioneers' ?) gratis, will be a powerful inducement for them to emigrate.— Philadelphia Ledger. On the opening of the Strasburg railroad, a grand dinner was given. One inscription on the walls of the dining room ran thus: —“In 1500 the journey from Mulhausen to Strasburg occupied eight days: in 1600, six days, in 1700, four days; in 1800, two days; in 1841, two hours.

A Yankee paper states, that there “is a sick debtor in the neighbourhood of New York, whose creditors paid him a visit, but found him so feeble, that he warn’t able to raise a single pound.” This species of sickness is very infectious; and we fear there are many English debtors in the same distressing state of debility.