WAIPORI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 89, 23 October 1869, Page 3

WAIPORI.

(By our own FFanckrcr.) Early rising i a a vice I am seldom guilty, of ; still, on rare occasions I do break through the wise rule which regulates my usual life ; thus Monday 11th inst. found me riding along the Wefchorstones' road, at the unearthly hour of 10 a.m. My destination was Waipori— a place generally supposed to lie somewhere near the line of perpetual snow. My preparations had been made in accordance with this belief. I had selected a warm day ; huddled on my thickest tweeds, and for the rest in the words of the poet — j The Wanderer mounter! his trusty steed, To Waipori he would ride-a ; A well-Wicked cutty he stuck in his cheek, And a liobtle lie hung by his side-a. The early hour of the morning caused few persons to be astir, the only person I met indeed being a very stout dark gentleman practising pedeslrianism, between Lawrence and Wetherstones. Tn jjood sooth, the whole journey out was singularly uneventful. The road is much like other roads in its eccentric zig-zag deviations. Indeed, T have been credibly informed that the Waipori track, as weil as a good many others, was planned by an intoxicated engineer, whose lurches from side to side were faithfully followed by the contractors. Let that be as it may, I can only aver that if Hogarth's axiom, which calls the curve the line of beauty, be true, the Waipori road must be one of the most beautiful in the world. Anyhow it is the superlative degree of dreariness, and it was with a joyous heart I jumped off my steed at the door of the Diggers' Rest Hotel. This well-known establishment stands about three miles on this side of Waipori, and boasts of an amount of accommodation superior to many largely patronized houses in more settled districts. It has a nice garden attached to it, but the climate is not over favourable to horticultural pursuits. Having indulged in a glass of water — I never drink anything stronger, finding Adam's wine by far the beet physio to

travel on * jogged along, and entered the far-famed city of Waipori. Thi3 great township may justly be described as a city built in a hole. All around are lofty mountains, some of them capped with snow. Its principal natural products are, as far as I could learn, hotels, children, boats, Chinamen ami gold. Tho hotels are really worthy of a little notice. There are seven of them, and all appear to do a brisk trade— a conclusive proof that some money is in circulation. Tho proprietor of one of the largest of these j buildings (the Provincial) was kind enough to show me round his house and certainly it has none of tho fiimsiness winch the Wasie Lancia Commissioners alleged, as characteristic of all buildhvs in purely mining townships. It has °a very handsome ball-room, good parlours, bed-rooms, offices, everything being kept in apple-pi^ order. I believe the other hotels are equally creditable to the enterprise of their proprietors, but my time did not permit of a personal inspection. The second product I took particular stock of was children. Such rosycheeked sturdy little rogue 3 could hardly be matched in any other country ; indeed, I rather think some of the finer samples shown me measured a <*ood deal more in breadth than they did in length. Aiy impression in respect to the climate of Waipori underwent a complete change. It may be cold, but it must also °be bracing. Large families appear the order of the day ; anyhow I observed little mobs of youngsters near every door. Nor is this likely to decrease, as marriages are taking place right and left. The° week before my visit had witnessed three occasions of this kind. Public opinion was strongly in favour of celebrating so great an event. The result was a rise in the price of kerosene cans ; even corrugated iron was in brisk demand. A trained band, consisting of all the notabilities of the township, were assembled together, and discoursed sweet melodies in honour of the happy, happy pairs. The effect is said to have been startling, and I myself observed that every second man I met was suffering from deafness. Waipori is at present without a doctor, and, to the best of my belief, is likely to continue in this happy condition for a iong period. Where people will persist in keeping in good health, a medical practitioner has not much show, and I for one would be sorry to advise any friend of mine to start business on the Waipnri, I in eicher the grave-digging or doctoring lines. Every place has a grievance ; in fact, life would not be endurable if we had nothing to grumble at. Waipori is ( blest with two causes of complaint— the influx of Chinamen, and the want of a commonage. The former of these is, to a great extent, well founded, as the Chinese have, in a good many cases, shown themselves oblivious to the distinction between meum and tuum. The fact of the great majority being new arrivals from Hong Kong makes it difficult to explain to them that it is not quite the thing to appropriate another gentleman's claim, or to start operations in his tail-race. A little firmness at the outset will, no doubt, rectify all this, and enable the two classes to settle-down into their proper places. John has already begun to make himself at home, having opened two stores in the township, where he can be supplied with opium, tea, rice, and fat pork. The second grievance— the want of a proper commonage — effervesced in a public meeting some time ago, when a deputation was appointed to wait on the Superintendent. An answer has at last been given, stating that Government could expend no more money until the returns of the cattle already depastured Avere sent in. After the returns are received the request will be carefully considered The two grievances disposed of, I left my informants, and wandered round the place. The public buildings are not numerous, the only two edifices worthy of the name beinsj the schoolhouse and the Catholic Chapel. The Court-house, indeed, deserves a visit from all who penetrate to Waipori, it being a most remarkable building. Court-house and S.iol are contained under one roof — the former measuring about four feet by five, the latter being about twice as big. When the Resident Magistrate holds a court, this spacious building is found quite capable of containing (1), the magistrate ; (2), the prosecutor ; (3), the prisoner ; (4), the attorney. Witnesses are examined through the window, and as the door is always kept open a considerable number can obtain a, glimpse of the proceedings. The " gaol " is a capital place for gentlpmen who object to being locked up at night, as a good kick is quite sufficient to send the walls flyincr. Waipori i 3 a curious place to study agriculture in, but during my visit I actually did acquire some ' useful knowlodge in that branch. I always read the j produce report in the " Daily Times," and until now firmly believed in its perfect accuracy. According to it oats are always a penny cheaper, and until Monday last I should have looked with scorn on the man who alleged thorn to be any thin? else. As they cost ss. Grl. a bushel at Waipori, I am under the painful necessity of disbelieving in the cheapening process which T had so long held as gospel. • The shades of night were falling fast when I forded the river, and started on my homeward journey. The wind rose, the rain came pouring down, the night grew colder and colder, and 1 began to repent having ever visited the Waipori. Worse misfortunes followed. While crouching behiad a tussock, making a futile effort to light my pipe, off went my steed, and in the pursuit I got a smash that slightly astonished a few of my ribs. I grot the lensrth of the Diners' "Rest, and there backer! down. I neither could, would, nor should go further, so I dismounted, and chancing on a most pleasant company, spent a delightful evening. Indeed, it would have been no small misfortune had my pluck kept up and enabled me to push on to Lawrence ; I should have losb the opportunity of making pleasant acquaintances, of obtaining ocular demonstration that roses can blossom, even on the rough ranges above Waipori. A night's rest enabled me to face the return journey. I observed ■pith surprise the backward condition of th< j grass on all the higher lands. Indeed, I do not wonder that Mi- Cable losps a Jarge number of sheep, as it appears impossible to depasture stock on these bleak;

ani barren uplands. I noticed that attempts had been made to set fire to tlie coarse tussocks in many places, but \utiiout any effect, owing, I believe, to the diuapness of the climate. The ride ii r .iae<w.ia not without its incidents, a3 tie rvdd was quite crowded. I actually met four European horsemen, and seven Chinese pedestrians. Just above the big dam I came across one of our local constabulary, who was on the outlook for some dear friends, whom he was anxious to supply wHh comfortable board and lodging. I wished him success, and in a few minutes had arrived in Lawrence. Barring the slight inconveniences arising from & broken rib, and a sick headache, I may say I thoroughly enjoyed my tirst, but, I hope, not last visit to Waipori.