NOTES OF A JOURNEY FROM TUAPEKA TO THE TEVIOT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 3 November 1870, Page 7

NOTES OF A JOURNEY FROM TUAPEKA TO THE TEVIOT.

Having refreshed man and horse, I proceeded leisurely towards Horseshoe Bend. From Beaumont to the Bend is a hilly country, fit only for grazing purposes. There appeared on all sides abundance of food for stock. The said stock was non est — at least I could see none. Having entered the flat at the Bend, the change was immediately apparent. The face of the country greatly improves for the • better ; and presently I found myself jogging along what is called the Island Block, over which so much correspondence and ill-feeling has been spent. I am very sure that any one who has journeyed along this beautiful strath, must lament its present desolate condition, and must feel exceedingly sorry that, through the secret influences of interested parties, the land should fall into the hands of the present owner. Along the whole stretch of the Block no signs of animation or improvement are to be seen — all is unloveable desolation. The only thing that I could perceive was a herd of pigs. They were rioting apparently in abundance, as their rounded carcasses evidenced. Apparently they were monarchs of all the domain. Had this block been settled as was originally intended (the land was surveyed in small blocks, and the pegs are still to be seen), what would have been its present condition? Assuredly we should see continuous homesteads, channels cut for drainage, fences erected, trees planted, and numerous happy families making to themselves comfortable homes. Whilst the mind turns away from this beautiful picture, a feeling of melancholy and despondency takes possession of it. Soon, however, a different class of feelings usurp and mount the throne, and one feels savagely inclined to wish that he had the reigns of government in his hand but for one short day, to administer strong but effective medicine for the perfect restoration to health of the patient that has hitherto suffered so much from the guidance and direction of quackery. After leaving the Island Block, I soon came upon signs of improvement. -.To^-the right of the road are to be seen two or three farms in a high state of cultiva- • tion, with good and substantial fences; altogether showing manifest signs and indications of good and skilful husbandry. The only thing displeasing to the eye is the dilapidated condition of the outhouses of the various establish;inents. I have no doubt the parties interested see this, and lament their inability at the commencement to give these matters the attention required. Time, however, will remedy this, and as material prosperity advances, im-. provements will follow. They no doubt find the old Scotch saying applicable in their case, "They maun creep afore they gang." The greatest drawback existing in this locality fs the absence of timber, and were this necessary attendant upon civilisation and comfort here in even moderate abundance, T know of no place from the Eeinga (Cape Marie Van Dieman) • to the Mataura (and I have seen many lovely spots between those two places) where a man could be more comfortably settled. Blessed with an agreeable climate, it is far removed from the influences of the sea, and surrounded by high hills acting as sentinels or outward barriers to protect the low - grounds from the scathing and devastating influences of the southern blast! One remarkable thing is observable along the whole course of the road, Every house is either an accommodation house or an hotel, where the dusty traveller will find everything conducive to comfort, at moderate prices. In the afternoon, wearied and sad, I arrived at Bender Burn.

(To be cojdlmted).

Of Edmund Kean's performance Luke, in Massinger's City Madam, it^H recorded that an old lady, yho had inteVH ded leaving him a large sum of money, /^ was so appalled by the cold-blooded vil' \ lany he displayed, that she transferred^] the legacy to a 4istant relation, jjfl