MARTIN'S BAY SETTLEMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 December 1870, Page 4

MARTIN'S BAY SETTLEMENT.

The s.s. Taiaroa returned from her Martin's Bay and Southern Ports cruise at 11.35 a.m. yesterday, remained at the Port a short time for tide, and then came on to Dunedin. The Taiaroa left Port Chalmers on the afternoon of the 6th inst., and arrived in Bluff Harbour on the following day at 5.30 p.m., with the loss of her crank pin, which caused detention until the 10th, when she sailed for Martin's Bay. On the 12th, at 9.30 a.m., brought up in Big Bay, there being too much sea on to cross the bar of the Hollyford. On the 13th, at 1.30 p.m., crossed the bar of Martin's Bay, and proceeded up to Lake M"Kerrow, arriving off the Township at 4.15 p.m., much to the satisfaction of the settlers, who had only 9 cwt of flour and a few pounds of tea left in store, all other provisions having been for some time consumed. Their ammunition, which they depended on for animal food, was all but expended. The opportune arrival of the Taiaroa relieved their wants, for which they were grateful, and testified to that effect in a memorial to Captain M'Kinnon, trusting that he would make a periodical trip to their shores. The settlement consists of seven or eisrljt nouses, paA there are more going up, including au hotel by a Mr. Allan. All the houses have got nice cultivated gardens arouud them, the soil is good ; and, as a passenger says, the climate for the past six months is all that could be desired. Shortly before the Taiaroa's arrival four young men who came out in the ship Peter Denny arrived at the settlement by the overland route, and took up 50 acres each. They fell to with a will, built a house, and were busily engaged in clearing their laud when the Taiaroa left, and seemed to be perfectly satisfied with their new life. The diggers at Big Bay are reported to be making about 255. to 30s. a week, the only drawback to them being that they lose half of their time in humping provisions a distance of 25 miles ; otherwise, \l provisions could be landed in the Bay, double the amounts could be made. The diggers began first from turning over the beach boulders, where payable gold was found ; they are striking inland on the flats towards the terfcees. The further they go in, better W^>spects and coarser gold are obtained, and, from the information we have received, there is every likelihood of something good being struck. It may here be stated that recently a large number of whales have been seen off Big Bay, and that one monster measuring 110 feet in length, grounded on the beach ; seals are also plentiful in the vicinity, so much so that it would pay a small craft well for their capture. The Taiaroa left La^^ M'Kerrow on the 15th,-aadr-Sf£amed down, but unfortunately took the ground ; got off again early next morning, and sailed at 3 a.m., the wind blowing a stiffener from S.W. ; crossed the bar at 4.30 a.m. ; the gale increasing, she ran back to Martin's Bay boat harbour for shelter. Left there at 6 p.m., and proceeded to sea. The gale and sea increasing, she was hove to on the port tack under fo retry sail and easy steam. At 2 a.m., on the 17th, she was hove round on the starboard tack, and stood for Milford Haven, arriving there at noon. Left again at 6.30 a.m., on the 18th, with light variable winds, which afterwards were followed by a hard westerly gale. Took shelter in Dusky Bay at 8 a.m. on the 19th. Sailed again at 3 p.m., and had strong winds in Eoveaux Strait. The passage from Centre Island, with a strong westerly breeze, was made in 2| hours to the Bluff, where she arrived at 2.30 a.m. on the 21st; left again at« 2.30 p.m., called at Port Molyneux, and arrived as above.

A Thought for the Young Bride. — There is a quiet dignity clustering around the young matron, as she seats herself at the head of her own table ; an importance apparant to herself, and to others, as she enters upon a regular routine of wifely home duties, nowhere to be found but in the shadow of a wellregulated household. There is also a smile of genuine contentment and heart-rest to be seen on the countenance of the young married man, as he enters the door of his own house, and finds that home brightened by the efforts of his chosen^ one, and made beautiful by the refinement of her affection and her womanly tastes. Bat in assuming the care of domestic life, we would beseech the young housekeeper never to neglect the accomplishments that gave so much pleasure to her husband in the days of their courtship. Let your husband ever recognise in the wife the same refined tastes that he admired in the bright and blooming maiden,

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