ONE OF OURSELVES

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 213, 14 October 1874, Page 2

ONE OF OURSELVES

(from a correspondent.)

As an Auckland reader of your paper, and one interested in its progress, I have heard some wonder expressed that you have not a continuous tale from week to week, for tlieumusement of your readers ; but the question is, “ What is it to be ?” I could certainly give a little history of one amongst yourselves which might perhaps rather astonish your readers, which would shew, at the same time, that there are as many wonders in real life as can be found in any work if fiction. My hero, whom I will call “ Thomas Wilkins," (for as he still lives in your midst, I must not give his real name) came to New Zealand some 16 or 18 years back and was then about 40 years of age ; and, after traversing the entire island, and living some few years in several places, came to your part 5 or 6 years back. The only peculiarity about Wilkins is that no one could ever perceive how he makes a living, and yet it is clear that he does live, and never seems in any pecuniary distress. He has never been seen at work, and he always presents a most respectable appearance, living in a very quiet way in a retired cottage with a few acres of land. On one occasion, when he resided in the neighbourhood of the Bay of Islands, he left the neighbourhood and was away for some months. A well known settler at the Bay had to go to Melbourne, and while there, went one evening to the theatre to see a tragedy performed, the chief actor being a celebrated character from New Zealand, who for that one night only would act the part of Hamlet; and he did act it most successfully and satisfactorily. The gentleman at once recognised in Hamlet Mr. Wilkins whom he had seen as a resident at the Bay, but was not acquainted with him. The next day he tried to see him, but he hadjust left for Sydney, and while residing amongst you, he has been missed for months, by those who knew anything of him, and his absence from his place of abode caused some considerable wonderment. He had on one occasion been absent above 3 months when one or two who had watched his proceedings went to his cottage to see if they could gather any information, when to their utter surprise, there he was looking as comfortable and respectable as they had ever seen him. Being a very laconic character it was quite impossible to extract any information from him, but most people supposed that when absent he had some means of gathering up a little capital which carried him on for some length of time afterwards. At the time of jny writing Wilkins is in Auckland but aven I who know him could not discover where he lodged or what he did. He is perfectly polite and civil to anyone who accosts him or who has anything to do with him,, but they cannot discover his mystery for mystery it undoubtedly is. At the time of the Maori War it seems that Wilkins was a private in a Volunteer Force and always conducted himself to the entire satisfaction of his officers, and fought with energy when he was called into action ; but he always seemed to shun publicity; and immediately upon the war being over left the corps to which he belonged. At one time I was myself in Sydney and passing through one of the stree'ts I was struck with the sweet voice

of a minstrel, and was induced to stop and listen when I at once recognized the voice of Wilkins, but there again I could never see him afterwards. There is certainly some strange mystery attached to Wilkins, but it is difficult to describe it, when you meet Him he is much as other men except being extremely laconic. He will not express one word than is necessary; is abrupt, and will disentangle himself from you the first moment he can; he does not appear to have one single acquaintance ; he does not lack money, as he has been seen to go up to Auckland, accomplish a few commissions, and return by the same boat. There have been conjectures that Wilkins is not quite right in the head, but there really are no indications to justify such an opinion although, doubtless, he is highly eccentric. But I must break off abruptly. More anon.