NOTES BY VIATOR.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2494, 3 January 1877, Page 2

NOTES BY VIATOR.

Fiest Imfbessions op an Excubsiohist to Ohinemubi.

Having long ago promised myself an excursion to Ohinemuri, I availed myself of the New Year's holiday to gratify my longed-for wish, and forward you my notes of the trip in the shape of notes by the way. The several excursion boats being advertised to start at the same time from Grahamstown, I had plenty to choose from ; so after some consideration, I determined to proceed by the Te Aroha, which had been chartered by the 1.0.G.T. for an excursion trip under that Society's auspices. I did so on the principle of " fellow my leader," as the crowd seemed greater on that boat, and the fluttering of muslin more conspicuous. I shall commence by the start at —

7.4o.—The' lluby took the start, Te AvofcSr-* J?econd, leaving the Interprise and-'S^rr to follow—the Huby having a fair number of pleasure-seekers on board; the other boats following, bringing up the rear with the stragglers. I noticed on board the Te Aroha a goodly sprinkling of the fair sex, notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather. They bad also taken care to bring their youngsters with them, for the little heads totted up considerably, and happy enough they seemed to be. The gentlemen portion of the excursionists also were pretty numerous. So far all seemed well, and everybody looked as if they were determined to enjoy their outing. Well, as I said before, the . Ruby led the way, and away we followed after her—quite a stern chase. Our little craft pufted away after her, but the former had too good a start, and was not overtaken. However, on we sped. A little past Shortland, looking from seaward at the formation of the country it put me much in mind of the West Coast of New Zealand —mountainous, and apparently, descending almost to the water's edge, and had we been favored with a sunshiny morning the prospect to a traveller's first trip would have been charming. Inotieed the 1.0.G.T. officers were pretty well on the alert, notably our worthy friend Mr Cocks, who acted as ticket-taker—he was all smiles and affability. I should have mentioned that the successful getting-up of the excursion was in a great measure due to the untiring efforts of Mr H. J. Lee. There were, as far as I could count, some 150 to 160 on board, counting great and small. During the way up the lady portion of the pleasure-seekers struck up some airs from Moody and Sankey's Aymns, and the melody of their combined voices, accompanied by those of the sterner sex, sounded pleasantly on the upper deck, shaded as it was by an awning. j 8.30.—We have just passed under the telegraph wire. I have often, when looking at the towers from land, wondered what they were, looking like mariners' landmarks. ■On a closer look at one of them as you pass by I took it to be a rather elaborate structure of some 50 or 60 feet high. In fact, a discussion took place between two parties as to its height —one averring it must be near 100 feet. To me it resembled the skeleton of some Indian pagoda. It struck me that if it was wired round it would make a good sample of a monkgy-cage for a zoologicalgarden. Excuse ||«,Ifancy will roam,. As" we go further the land 4&stjow^ lying, and on the starboard sid|J gtllckly covered with timber. On the jp'orfr^side may be seen—across, more flat* country, but bare—the everlasting bills.,^.Tne scenery round here reminded me very much of the Hunter Eirer, N.S. W., and were it not for the want of maize fields and the mangrove bush growing to the water's edge, I could almost fancy myself back to the old scenes of years gone by ; the great difference being the more salubrious nature of the climate.

9.so.—Passing timber-getters' huts on the right. On the bank ready for floating down were some 100 logs. The scenery of the surrounding hills is beautiful, forming an amphitheatre ahead, the tops being covered with a heavy mist of fog which even now the hot sun is unable to dispel, and the mirror-like surface of the river which is perceptibly narrowing here, fringed with the tall and densely-rank vege ation growing to the water's edge, mske a tout ensemble not soon to be forgotten.

11 a.m.—We are just passing a Maori encampment on the right; a log canoe lying along the bank, and three or four dusky original lords of the soil lounging on mother earth, a picaninny, and an old crone fanning herself with long leaves of some native plant (not being a botanist, I canlt give you the exact name). " Kapai the pakeha" was their greeting, I suppose, by the wave of their hands in token of friendship, as we passed by, in answer to ours of " How's your poor feet." All, so far, were enjoying their trip heartily— singing, forfcuue-telling (an amusement which by-the-bye, seemed to afford great sport from the bursts of laughter tbat pealed forth now and then) and other amusements suited to the various tastes of the excursionists.

11.55.—Arrived at the Puke. Here we landed nearly half our passengers, who preferred to walk to Paeroa. I myself preferred remaining on board, and proceeding with the boat; enjoying all I could of the river scenery. The Pearl has just come up to us, and is now following, so at least we have company by water. The willows that fringe the river here and there make graceful addenda to the prettiness of the river, and the clearings are now becoming more general, giving evident signs of the habitation of man.

12.55. —Just come to our destination— Paeroa. From the Puke to this place by water the journey is really interesting. Well-built and elegant dwellings occupy the clearings here and there, evidencing the gradual subjugation of the primitive forests to the uses and wants of man— showing the perseverance and energy of the white race over the inert and listless occupation of the soil by the aboriginal. But there is still plenty to do before the valuable arable land fronting the river on both sides is brought into full productiveness; and then, and not till then, will you see, as in more advanced localities, smiling homesand contented looking faces. All yrheat-growing countries have a neverfailing source of wealth —for instance, Jook at Canterbury and Adelaide; and should not the same be the qaso hpye B'.-If fcbe cpuntry abputhete, which appears-to bp of good qua|ity, was fully occupied, P-aeroi}. woujd'be tq Auckland wbaji Maitland is to §ydney-=and some w{io read this may know "what a thriving a.griHUJipgl town M&js]and js ; and has been

tor a number of years past. On ©ur arrival at Paeroa a large crowd of Pakehas and Maoris had assembled at the landing place, drawn thither by an excusable curiosity to see new faces. On landing, our excursionists dispersed in small groups in different directions, whither fancy or inclination might lead them, each to enjoy himself in his own particular way. I went with my own jolly little crowd to a small rise overlooking the township, and there enjoyed the quiet of a small picnic which we had all to ourselves. From my standpoint, I sa\v that the races were onr so after we had refreshed ourselves we proceeded thither, and passing by the Paeroa Hotel, met its worthy landlord, Mr Lipsey, with whom I exchanged the usual compliments of the day. On coming to the terrace overlooking the course, and on which were assembled some 400 or 500 persons, to witness the sports, the bell rang for the next race, which was ridden by Maoris four starting, the distance being twice round the course. This race was the only one I witnessed, and I must say interested me very much, as I never saw a better Maori spin before, and the excitement of their brethren, as the two foremost riders came tearing along in the second heat almost neck-and-neck was amusing in the extreme—clapping of hands, shouting, and laughing boiilerously, denoting the keen interest taken m the sport. . 3 p.m.—After the above race the rain ' commenced, and caused me, as well as others, to beat a hasty retreat from the course just as the bell rang for the next event, so I was compelled to give it best, and returned to the Te Aroha, where I found that tea was the order of the day, and the cabin table was crowded, so I had to wait my turn, andl, with others, availed myself of the opportunity, and at the price of one shilling ahead, we had two cups of tea, sandwiches, cake, or bread aad butter, whichever we liked best. The tea was well patronised. ■ 4 5 p.m.—After blowing the whistle some time, the usual cry of " All aboard" * was given, and shortly after the paddlei began to move, and away the Te Aroha steamed back on her homeward journey. The rain was now comiog down steadily, and the prospect was anything but satisfactory, as the mist was thickening and the clouds looked leaden, giving promise of a steady downpour. After going a short way from Paeroa tbe steamer stuck on the ground for a short time; nevertheless we got to the Puke about 6 o'clock, and after a short stay there, .proceeded on agaiu. Everything went on well enough, and: but for the rain and the occurrence of a slight accident the excursion would have ended satisfactorily to all parties. After leaving the Puke the Enterprise followed in our wake, and for some time kept behind us, but being light she overhauled us, and in trying to cross ahead of us on the port side, in a rather narrow part of the river, the draw of our boat brought her right-on to u«» striking our boat' abaft,the padtf&box, breaking a few feet of the side, rail, and causing some slight alarm among the lady ~ passengers. After this, the other boat fell back, seeing, it -was no go just yet, and contentedTOreftff #ftfcflfceping second place until there was uiitJMj scope for her. to pass in a wider part of!|h»river^anii"t":,-. then she forged ahead^^dpa§|iglui, to '-■" the great relief of W more timj^art *f i -' our pud*^.:;: fjkftei. another sliglfc Ari*T; r : :- Wm&*n& arrnre*|* flAhamstowtfwharf , '~«**atjbalfcpaf^op~~ *■* - Y-, ■- Spln^waß^liahbuldt mention that the I^GJ^Committfee^were untiring in their efforts to make everybody as comfortable as possible, and refreshments were obtainable on board ad libitum (of a temperance kind of course). However, -•_ there was one thing wanting, which, had- "< they provided for, would have made the J excursion much more pleasant. I mean a band, or music of some sort, if it had only been a solitary fiddler. I merely give the hint, as I think the boat that can afford a band on a pleasure trip will secure the most passengers. Viitob.