REMINISCENCES OF TRAVEL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 184, 4 July 1874, Page 2

REMINISCENCES OF TRAVEL.

Being an account of a journey overland • from Poverty Bay to Te Wairoa, by the Rev. J. B. Simpson. Concluded from owr last. A traveller without observation, ie a bird without wings.— Saadi. Notwithstanding the fatigue which our long day’s journey produced, our party was vivacious. One o£ the aborigines was a sturdy, merry fellow, well versed in expediences; and he related with laughter his encounter with a boar. He awaited in a desperate moment, armed simply with a flax stick, the rush of the infuriated animal. How the porcine monster received the overwhelming effort, he used to skiver him, and the opportune catastrophe that followed in the disappearance of the boar over a cliff in ti e rear called forth his liveliest powers of nr.rration. It was somewhere at this stage of the journey that was rendered historically venerable by an assault made upon the bearer of Her Majesty's mail. It is close on the boundaries of the Auckland Province. It seems that the enraged possessor of a grudge, followed for miles along the beach, the unsuspecting mailman. The latter thought on beholding the rapidly approaching horseman that he had forgotten a very urgent message ; but on the arrival of the angry pursuer, he received unmistakable and practical evidences of his wrath. He was thrashed into the Hawke’s Bay Province before he could recover his surprise. It was considered a pity by the historians, that he did not dispute circumstances with his aggressor, by recollecting tha* his stirrup leather and irons were easy of access. Following the track of the unfortunate postman —but with more comfortable feelings than he experienced on that occasion—we ascended a rising ground, and therefrom gained our first view of the Wairoa. The grand river moved calmly onwards; and the lights from each dwelling of the Clyde, sparkled a cheerful welcome. We make few comments upon the settlement, lest we should fall into the mistake generally perpetrated by tourists, who hastily express their impression auent the scene of their visits. As our stay was of short duration we consider that more experience and knowledge on local matters, was necessary to criticise and expatiate on the political or social state of this settlement. The inhabitants are to be congratulated on their grand river. An appearance of age, unusual in New Zealand townsliips, is observable on some of the buildings. There are a few pretty gardens, a few clumps of poplars, and some willows, which give a picturesque air to the place. A barrier occasionally closes up the outlet of the river, so great is the power of the waves. This is an obstacle to trade; and the patience of seacaptains has been often tried for weeks, awaiting egress. We must do justice to the universal urbanity of the Wairoa people, as we do believe, as warm a grasp of the hand could be . obtained there, as in nny place in New Zealand. Our party dashed into the river, much to our surprise, and continued their way by its banks. Any subsequent traveller acting upon this information must not rashly take the water without knowing the way. Tile most venerable pah we ever saw’, stood above us, and monopolized all space on that bank. The figures of Maori heroes, represented in wood, leered above the tall posts. Their huge heads were placed upon very small bodies—the position of the tongue denoting derision —the shells, representing eyes, glared as shells never do in another position—-the knees were bent, and the hands clasped the gastric regions as is usual in Maori statuary. The general appearance of these hideous figures would have the effect, so aptly expressed in Hibernian parlance, of “ frightening a horse from his oats." The sounds of Maori converse ; the ringing laugh of the young, and the song of a native mariner, were heard—-the evidences of Maori life in this settlement of the River. We had performed our journey, with thanks to Him who rules the wind and waves. A sense of weariness and fatigue prevailed, resuscitated by the agreeable thought that we had come to visit a people committed to our care. Missionary work, at present, in New Zealand, is arduous; but the dangers of land and. water are surmounted ; the loneliness and monotony of the long road are enlivened, and the fatigue of the journey is assuaged by the happy reflection that the commands of a Divine Master are fulfilled—that comfort is brought to one troubled heart; and that a ray of light has been shed upon one darkened mind. This was the most agreeable reminiscence of our Overland Journey to Wairoa.