A Peep into the Future.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3969, 17 September 1881, Page 2

A Peep into the Future.

Leiteb No. 2.

The second epistle from ".Robert Smythe " has come to hand:—.

" WAiHr, Sept. 16th, 1891. "Dear John,--I enjoyed nay , ride, referred to in my last letter, Very muoh, and afterward* dined with the Porters. Adam has greatly changed since we knew him, prosperity has improved him, he has lost that egotism which formerly was his characteristic. I was, greatly pleased to hear him sedately explain the political position of New Zealand at the present time. His views although thoroughly liberal are tempered with wisdom. I asked him how it was he had never entered the political arena, and he wisely answered that he did not think his education fitted him to do so, at the same time he believed he could greatly benefit his fellow colonists otherwise. I quite agreed with him, and under the excite* ment caused by his^rery good whisky, rudely said, "Bully for you, old boy." Adam did not seem vexed at my seeming rudeness, but with his well known shrug of the shoulders passed off', and turning to his wife said, "will youdear.take upon yourself the pleasaut task of initiating Mr Smyth into our VVaihi ways, and show him around P " Mrs Porter took upon herself the onerous task, aud I must say that had it not been for her kindness, I should not have been in a position to give you the' information I am now able to do. Mrs Porter the first thiug after breakfast drove me round the business quarter of Waihi, and I had the opportunity of shaking hands with many old chums. Mick H. with that very polite bow of his first drew our attention. He is not much altered; was glad tQ 166 too, wi

in reply to my enquiries said be was still an old bachelor, but hoped ' the other members of the family would be able to perpetuate the name. While speaking to him I " spotted *' a well known figure bustling along, and at once recognised old Cuff, not a bit altered, and just as sprightly a3 ever. Mrs Porter informed me that he bad made no mistake, neither had he been dragged in the wire bj reason of his having hung on to the tail of the Little Tommy. He was always determiucd to be identified with the field. Billy Tregowartb, when he told the " Corner" men at Grahamstown that there were " millions in Wailii," was not far wrong, and I am glad to say that he has settled down into a very good member of society, and would rather nurse his last born than play billiards with "Little Ben." Manukau Jones has taken advantage of the experience ho pained in former times, and not 'having speculated beyond his interests, is a warm man. The owners of the Ciunes Btill blame him for throwing cold water on their endeavours to get .assistance, but do not bear him any ill-I will. Do you recollect Gudgeon? Willie, I mean. He was in the {Tnion when we left. ■ He threw his whole soul into Waihi, and has nothing: to regret. He is now in, business as a general merman t,'in "Co." with others whose names do not appear, and is one of the rising men here, steady, persevering, and trust- • worthy. Gelly, the matchless, has at last found his match, having married a widow with six children, and I do not think will ever be.sorry for the step he has tak<n. : You remember those two nice boys, sons of McGregor; they hare grown up into Tery handsome youths, and I believe their father (who, by the way, is in with the crush) will never have cause to blush for them. I hare not time to give you a foil account of all the old " uns " in this letter, but if I am spared I will write next mail.—Yours truly,

Robert Smythe,