RETURN OF MR RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 313, 12 July 1898, Page 4

RETURN OF MR RICHARD REYNOLDS.

On Thursday last Mr Richard Reynolds returned to the Waikato after having visited Mexico, the Old Country, and the Continent. His many frieods in Cambridge thought it desirable to have a little re-union with him. As the quarterly meeting of the Wesleyan Church, of which .Mr Reynolds is a member, was fixed for Friday, a social was arranged for that evening, which, unfortunately, turned out extremely wet and dark. .The schoolroom was packed. The chair was taken by the Ryv. W. Cannell. The following programme was gone through :—" Wrestling Jacob," choir ; duet, " He Wipes the Tear From Every Eye," Misses Miller and Cannell; song. " There's No One Like Mother To Me," Miss Garland ; song, " Scenes that are Brightest," Mrs C. Roberts ; Jubilee chorus, " Reign, Master Jesus," choir; the chairman then gave a short, but very amusing resume of his trip home to be present at Her Majesty's Jubilee, in which he extolled the Hoe at Plymouth as being one of the finest, if not the finest, promenade in the world; Mr Hardy then cave an excellent rendering of Judc's "Skipper." Mr Joseph Gane then spoke a few words of welcome to Mr Reynolds. He said it was only a little ovar seven months since they had a very similar gathering, except that on the occasion he referred to they all felt sorrowful, for they were saying good-bye to Mr Reynolds, and they did not know for how long. There was a favorite old song that spoke of a parting and said, " It might be for years and it might be for ever," and it correctly interpreted their feelings at the meeting alluded to, for they did not know if they should ever have the pleasure of meeting their fellow-settler again. Many of the old settlers of the Waikato had battled along for a considerable number of years throiigh good and bad times, and it was indeed a trial to part with the last of a family that had won the love and respect of all of them, and feel that it was, perhaps, the final good-bye as far as this earth was concerned. However, the fates had decreed otherwise, and bo was sure they would join with him in giving Mr Reynolds a hearty welcome back to their district. He had hoped there would have been another present whom they might also have welcomed back to her home, namely, Miss Priestly, who had been to visit some of her relatives in the Old Country, but, unfortunately, her arrival had been delayed for a few days. He then called upon those present to signify their pleasure at having Mr Reynolds amongst them again, and the hearty applause that was given must have convinced that gentleman that the welcome extended to him was a genuine one.

On rising to reply, Mr Reynolds said he certainly did not expect to have seen such a gathering, for it was such a wretched Dight that he did not believe Britishers would turn out. He thanked them for the very hearty welcome they had given him, and he could assure them it was with much pleasure that he found himself amongst his old friends once more. When he left Cambridge, a little more thau seven months previously, he did not know if he should ever come back, but the p'ace he went to inspect he did not consider suitable for his wife and family, and consequently he returnedThey doubtless knew he went to inspect an estate in Mexico, of which he had been offered the management. Perhaps it would interest them if he gave a brief account of his doings since he last parted with them. He had been in many queer places and seen some very queer people, and indeed he believed he had been in the lowest places on earth, for, until he had witnessed the depths of degredation to which some poor creatures had fallen, he could not have believed that such places existed on the face of the globe. Sights such as he had seen made him feel the advantages of living in a Christian country. However, he might tell them more about what he had seen on a future occasion, as there would not be time that evening. He went by the mail steamer to 'Frisco, and then he journeyed by rail to Durango, a town of 40,000 inhabitants, in Central Mexico. There he saw human beings of all sizes, shapes and colours. They were mostly Catholics and had a giand cathedral. One thing that struck him forcibly was the extreme politeness of everyone. If you asked a lad in the street a question, off went the youngster's, hat and he stood at "attention " while answering you. He could not help comparing the reception a stranger would get from New Zealand children, and he Bometimea wondered what sort of men and women the latter would make when they grew up. He was told that it was all outside show with the Mexicans, and that they would " have you " if they had the opportunity, but he was not there sufficiently long enough to find out if the statement were correct or not. The better classes there looked upon it as an honour to give you information, aud would go to considerable trouble to do so. What a difference to the gruff old Britisher who would travel hundreds of miles in the train with you and not exchange a word. One experience he had was when he was travelling to ftew-castle-on-Tyne. He had a fellow-pas-senger in tiie carriage, and they had travelled many miles through a lovely country without exchanging a word ; but as the train passed over a splendid river he thought how much he should enjoy a duy'a fialiing, and, after apologising for so doing, he asked if there were any fish in the river, and the only reply he received was : " Suppose so." Nearly all whom he found courteous aud talkative when travelling by rail in England had travelled in other countries. In America it was very different. Ihere it took you all your time to answer questions, and you could not help joining in a conversation even if you did not want to. The Mexicans were dark and active. They were no respecters of strength, for beiug well armed and with their Jitlio forms they were equal to combat with the strongest men. Everyone there carried a revolver and often other arms, but still any European seemed as safe there as they are in this colony, and speaking pertonally, if the climate were suitable, he would as soon live there as iu New Zealand. He believed he would rather live under the Government of Mexico than under the Government of New Zealand. There was an immense number of poor in Mexico, and when he said poor he was afraid those listeuing to him could cot realise what he meant, for they had nothing to compare to the poverty of the lower classes in Mexico. They lived iu huts—much worse than Maori whares—were exceedingly dirty, and lived on maize and dried meat. "When a beast died they did not bury it ; they saved the skin, horns and hoofs, and ate everything else. They did not care for butter ; but consumed cheese whenever they could get it ; and, like the Maoris, they liked pork ; but it was nearly all rendered down and most of their cooking was doue in pork fat. While inspecting the estate, he had to camp out, and for about a fortnight he had a bed with the earth for a mattress. It was not very comfortable ; but there was no danger from damp, as the ground was perfectly dry, the wet season there being the summer. Although they were in latitude 24, they experienced very sharp frosts at night, owing to the altitude, and he frequently found his moustache and beard frozen together when he awoke in the morning. When he left Durango he went to New York and took a White Star liner for Liverpool. Until he took that journey he always thought a British sovreign was value for twenty shilling anywhere ; but he found out he w»s lint taken. He had one of George the thild or fourth's reign, and was as-toni-hed when it was refused on board the vessel. When he reached Liverpool ho took it to a bank, aud it was again

refused. They told him they, had been called in, and therefore it was not, a legil tender. Since he came to Cambridge Mr Brooks had informed him that, he could have got the, value of the uold in it—probably 19s Cd—but he did not see what poor old George had done that they should turn their hacks on him, and he intended having it made into a brooch for his wife to wear as a touvenir of his trip. From Liverpool he went to London, and from there he journeyed through France aud a little way into Italy, to see Mr Thomas Russell.C.M.G., to report upon the Mexican Estate. He visited Monaco, a small independent principality only six miles square, where the celebrated Monte Carlo gambling establishment is situated. There were no taxes there, all the necessary revenue being derived from the gambling. The inhabitants of the place were not allowed to gamble, there being sufficient of that kind from other countries. It was a lovely place, and every foot of the ground was utilised, even down to the sef shore. In steep places terraces were built, and so even the hill sides were cultivated. Nearly all the trees growing there were olives, and that wood was burnt in place of coal. It was an awful place for beggars, and you could hardly stir a yard without having a tribe of them after yon. On returning to London, he went by rail to Cumberland, about 300 miles, to see bis mother and sister. He found them both well, and although his dear old mother was 77, her intellect was as clear as ever. He then went in for a good lazy time and spent many happy hours talking about those in the Waikato, and he could assure them there were very few in the room that evening that his mother did not enquire after. He found his sister (Mrs Grice) well posted up in Waikato affairs, and wondered how it was till he saw soms copies of The Waikato Abgus, to which she regularly subscribes, and that explained matters. His mother's last words to him when he was coming away were : " Give my kind regards to all my Waikato friends that care to have them." Mr Reynolds then referred to some of the old buildings that were to be seen in Cumberland, and particularly to Roman buildings that had lately been unearthed there, which he said were as sound and good as if they had only been erected a few years, whereas they had existed 1400. He said he came back feeling prouder than ever that he was a British subject, and although he had seen many fine places he was extremely glad to be back in Waikato with his wife, family and friends. During the short time be had been away there had been many changes. Many had been born, not a few married, and some had departed for the unknown laud whence there was no return. One of the first things he intended to do on reaching Cambridge, was to call and see bis old friend Robert Kirkwood, of whose serious indisposition he heard when in Auekland ; but alas when Cambridge was reached it was too late. Mr Reynolds then thanked all for the very hearty reception they had.given him, and assured them it cave him great pleasure to be amongst them once more; Miss Kingsford then played a violin solo, " Home Sweet Home," for which she was encored ; Mr Harvey went through some exercises with the Indian Clubs, and Miss Jarrett sang " Grace Darling,"for which she was encored. The concluding musical item was a Jubilee chorus, "The Rocks and the Mountains," and after that a very recherche supper was handed round, and Mr Reynolds had a busy time amongst his friends, who were anxious to learn all they could about his mother and sister.