A NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

Observer, Volume IV, Issue 84, 22 April 1882, Page 86

A NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

A German gent who deemed his jaw Proof against dislocation, Came lately to New Zealand shore For a summer peregrination. He travelled all through the Northern Isle, From the Hutt to Mongonui, And crossed the country, mile by mile, From Taurauga to Wanganui. And every place which our tourist sawHe inquired its designation, Resolved to test his power of jaw On Maori pronunciation. He mastered soon such simple names As Xaikoura and Otakiri ; He learned Te Tiki and Koinokoriki, Puriri and Eangiriri. And Mangawai and Mangapai Were as simple as Takapuna : As were Matamata, Whatawhata, Whangamata and Waitetuna. And he struggled through with Waikoukou, Wainiauku, Matakana, But he knit his brow at Parakakau, Kihikihi and Eotomahana. But he swore when ho came to Whangarurn And Nihootikiore, To Whangaparoa, Ornawharoa, And then to Eaukokore ! Then came Tamahere and Meremere, Wharehine and Whitianga, Ohineroa and Whangapoa, Ongaonga and Otorohanga. But his face turned blue at Pukearuhe, Nsarnawahia, Otamatea, At Waingongoro, Pokorokoro, Ngaruroro and Eaugiawhia. For the rivers had names as bad as towns, And south of Te Awamutu Were the Waitotoroa, the Waihanoa, Whenuakura, Tongaparutu. The Titiraupenga hill he passed, Till he reached theTaungatara ; Went by Parawanui and Pahautahanui, Till he came to Kaiwarawara. By Waipnkurau and Porangahau He reached Tapnaeharuru, Then by Pakuratahi and Taiiherenekau He gained Maraekakahu. And when his wanderings all were o'er In pain and tribulation, He proudly boasted that his jaw Was proof 'gainst dislocation. ■ He could rattle o'er, ten times and more, Ofcahuhu, Karangabiipe ; But alas ! and ulack ! his jaw went crack, When he tried Kaukapakapa ! So he owned himself " sold," this German bold, And soothing rest he seeks On the genial soil of Erin's isle, At Macgillicuddyreeks ! The Black Knight. Auckland, April 3, 1852.