NOTES OF A JOURNEY FROM TUAPEKA TO THE TEVIOT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 27 October 1870, Page 6

NOTES OF A JOURNEY FROM TUAPEKA TO THE TEVIOT.

To me it has always been a charm and a pleasuie to leave, 'for a season, my sedentary employment, and go forth to view the grandeur of nature, as well as to witness the improvements made by man. With these objects in view I sallied forth on my Kocinante, and journeyed westward to the Teviot. In regard to the various improvements in and around Tuapeka, I now say nothing, as they ai - e well known to the residents, and within the reach of their inspection. On leaving Evans Flat, Mr. Lawson's mill, and Mr. Brooks's comfortable homestead, I was immediately beyond the pale of improvements, and journeyed for twelve miles to the Beaumont, over a country in many places \pell fitted for comfortable homesteads, but there were none (with the exception of two solitary houses apparently untenanted), I saw nothing but wild nature, But far- the road and the appearance of a few head of cattle man might well imagine himself in some vast wilderness thousands of miles removed from his fellow man ; and this is, I understand, what is called par excellence the Bellamy Station, with an area of some 30,000 acres, and returns to the Government the handsome sum of three halfpence per acre. On surmounting the Big Hill, the terror of team- ■ sters, a greater scope is given to the 1 eye. Now the Beaumont (Dunkekl), with all its varied beauties, first comes in sight. A short five miles brings the traveller to human habitations, and he is presently in the midst of improvements, and views with delight the effects of the plodding industry of the sturdy Anglo Saxon race. The improvements here are marked indeed, showing unmistakably that unfettered industry always confers a blessing. On this side the river there are two comfortable hotels, the owners of which are ready and willing to administer every creature comfort. With that exception, this (or the Lawrence) side of the river presents no marked improvement, arising from the fact that land could not be had hitherto, and that the former owner of the run backed by a superbly liberal government hunted and hounded off those who were comfortably located, and who were both able and willing to turn the wilderness into a garden ; and lam credibly informed | that although compensation was adjudged to the parties driven off, to this day they have in vain attempted to get payment. The Government and the squatters have either forgotten or are unwilling to fulfil their engagements. Passing over the punt, I was glad to recognise in the boniface of the Crooksfcon Hotel an old familiar face long j known in Lawrence. To the left of the punt may be seen the magnificent property of Richard Lancaster, Esq., beautifully situated below the Blue Mountain Range, and admirably sheltered from the cold bleak wind coming from the south-west, thus entirely escaping its direful effects. The improvements made on this property have been very great ; the feuces, houses, and yards, are evidently built with an eye to the future, all substantial. Mr. Lancaster* mode of treating the soil, unlike some of our Lawrence cockatoos, deserves commendation. Instead of exhausting fche humours in the soil by repeated cropping, he has laid it down in. grass when it is yet in good heart, thereby insuring to himself a good return. The same gentleman is now, I understand, largely planting trees on this property. In a word the improvements made by the spirited owner deserve the highest credit. Would there were more like him in the province. In a few years, I have not the least hesitation in saying, that this will be one of the handsomest and most valuable properties in the district. Others in the locality deserve equal commendation. From the manner in which their land is treated, it is at once evident that they are old hands at the trade. Their fences and their homesteads are substantial, and made for use more than ornament ; and I must say that these sturdy settlers have had regard to the old saying that " God helps those who- hlep themselves," as they have finished the erection of a neat little chapel by subscription, and which in the meantime will, I understand, be used as a schoolroom. All honour to them. (To be continued),