A TRIP TO TARANAKI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 105, 11 March 1879, Page 2

A TRIP TO TARANAKI.

To the Editor of the Wairarapa Daily. Kuripuni, March 11, 1879. Sir,—l promised you a short time since that I would furnish you with an account of my late journey to Taranaki, where I have been with the view of getting my health improved. I have been busy since my return, and have not been able to attend to it as soon as I intended, but will now make an attempt to give you a sketch of what I have experienced in my late tour from Masterton to that province of fertility of country, beautiful scenery, and romantic-like people. Leavingthisturn on the 11th January last, I proceeded to Wellington, and waiting there a few days a left in the steamer Wellington on the 17th, and oil the way called at Picton and Nelson. We cleared out of the last mentioned place on the afternoon of Friday, tho 18th, and reached Taranaki on Sunday morning, tho 10th, On coming on deck early in the morning I found the weather very fine, and that portion of Taranaki lying to the south opening to our view, viz,, Omata, Tataramakia, Okato, and other parts of the province, and very soon after I had the pleasure of a full sight of those old and very ancient mountains of Nature, tho Sugar Loaves. All hands on board seemed much interested in the appearance of the country. I pointed out to some of the people places where defensive positions had been raised during the late war, and where one very smart engagement had taken place, and where many a Maori fell, and, as near as I possibly could, pointed out the place where tho gallant Colonel Murray placed himself and his men under a furze hedge, while the Militia and Volunteers were hotly engaged at the time, I believe, within his sight, and ho refused to go to their help or allow tho men to go. We had not long to view these parts, as the fine steamer soon made her way round the Sugar Loaves, and passing smartly between them, I soon had a fine vieiv of the town of New Plymouth, much improved. The old garrison in its commanding position, with the grand old Egmont in its rear, had a great effect on my mind as respects things of the past. The steamer glided swiftly down to her anchorage, the surfboats were soon by her side, manned by many of my old friends, who expressed themselves glad indeed to see me. I took a seat in one of the boats and was soon on shore, where I wa3 welcomed by many, and on the whole throughout my stay, apart from outward show, I was welcomed as heartily as the Prince of Wales could have been, and earnestly requested by many to come back and take up my residence again there. I received invitations to visit the Sunday schools and other institutions ; I also had the pleasure of being present at the annual tea-meeting of the Church of England and Wesleyan Sabbath schools, at which a great number of children and adults attended, and I believe thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I visited the beautiful cemetery, where I saw tho last resting places of many of my old friends, and the beautiful monuments recently erected to thememory of the late Rev. JohnWhitaker, Wesleyan Missionary, and others killed by the natives at -the White Cliffs. I also saw the Revs. Messrs Reid, Richardson, and Slade there, and

hoard the former gentleman preach twice. This reminded me of past days, but I regret that in consequence of intelligence reaching mo that my wife was ill in Wollington, I lmd to leave the much admirod spot and the good friends, young and old, soonor than I had previously intended to have done. I returned in the Tauroa from Taranaki, which steamer took from that place to Wellington over 300 bushelß of prime grass seed, and left as much or more behind in the stores for after shipment, the growth of which has greatly benefitted those persons who are holding lands on deferred payments in the districts around. The town has undergone considerable improvement. A vast amount of shipping business was being done at the Waitara, at which place a fine rising township lias sprung up, with a railway leading thereto; this and the fine lino of! railway to the beautiful district of Inglejfc wood, rapidly progressing on to Shallford™ must be considered improvements of a i first-class character. I visited Inglewood» by train, and it really appears a fine country. There were swarms of children in the township, fine schools and places of worship, which contributed greatly to enhance its character. I also noticed a fine saw-mill in full work on its borders, and as far as I could see the people appeared happy and prosperous. I was often asked the question what I thought of the old place (Taranaki), to which question in many instances I replied that I thought, as I always did, viz., that its land was the best, and its scenery the most lovely in the Colony, and its inhabitants the most hospitable in the world, In conclusion I feel free to state that wherever I may bo I shall not fail to breathe the prayer, " God prosper Taranaki."

lam, &c., Teomas Wm. Shuie,

P.S. —I had forgotten to mention that on Friday, the 24th, I received an invitation to attend the funeral of the lato George Outfield, Esq., which took place at the cemetery the day following, for which purpose a carriage was employed to take me to Brooklands, the late deceased gentleman's residence, and from there to the place of interment. Mr Outfield was, I beiievo, eighty years of ago; he had been a resident of Taranaki since 1840, and was brother-in-law to the late Captain King, R.N., and in partnership with him in farm transactions. There were four farm laborers employed by them for many years, three of whom are dead also. When I was looking over the lands, having known it from the first, when it was a tract of fern, but now well grassed and beautified by men's hands, I thought what changes in tlio spaco of about 41 years to have taken place here. Truly the owners are gone, and the place that knew them once will know them no more for ever.