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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 200, 21 March 1868, Page 3

SCHAFEB, THE PEDESTEIAX ToTTBIST. —This famous German traveller, who is now sojourning in Hokitika, is thus noticed by the Otago Daily Times of the 24th ult: —We have mentioned the arrival in Otago of Mr Christian Friedrich Schafer, who is famous as a pedestrian tourist through many lands. On Friday evening.the Dunedin Choral Union (Germania) held a festive meeting at the European Hotel, in order to welcome Mr. Schafer, an invitation to be present being given to the German residents generally. There was a well attended meeting, and Mr. Schafer read a brief abstract of his travels. It was also resolved to commence a subscription towards Mr. Schafer's expenses; for the great enterprise of going through all the countries of the world was commenced without private resources. Mr. Schafer is a native of Hesse Cassel. He was born in Oarlshafen, on the 23rd November, 1836 ; and his father was an hotelkeeper. When eight years old, he was run over by a coach of some kind; and he was so injured in the back, that he is permanently a cripple, and he is now only 4ft. Bin. or 4ft 9in. high. When he became old. enough to work, he was taken into a lawyer's office; and while there he resolved to do that of which he had before conceived the idea—to travel over the world, walking as a rule, where walking was possible, and always keeping in mind one great object, that of writing a book of travel which should be unique in so far as being only a record of his personal adventures and observations. But from the first, Mr. Schafer has done more. He has carried with him a book, which is now, perhaps, unequalled as a collection of autographs, and of official seals. He has everywhere sought, and has rarely failed to obtain, introductions to ruling men, to lesser authorities, and to men of eminence in different ways ; and his book contains thousands of signatures, and very numerous recommendations. He has also, we believe, collected over 6,000 photographs of notable people, not a few of them having been sent long distances after him. The autographs, &c, Mr. Schafer contemplates having lithographed, when he produces his book of travel; but the originals, with the photographs, will probably find a resting-place in some German Museum. It was in 1852, that Mr. Schafer commenced his journeyings; and he devoted seven years to the different German States. Between 1859 and 1863, he travelled through Denmark, Holland, Belgium, England, France, Spain, Italy, the northern part of Africa, Palestine (including Jerusalem) Turkey, Greece and Russia, and back into Germany. Thence he sailed to America. He visited 24 States ; and, in crossings of the continent from east to west, he journeyed 16,000 miles, of which distance about two-thirds was done on foot. He walked over the Rocky Mountains, suffering very great hardships amongst the Indian tribes; and in 1866, he arrived in California. Thence he went to Japan and to China; he visited the islands of Batavia and Sumatra, and others in the great eastern group ; and thence he reached Sydney. From Sydney he proceeded to Melbourne and to Adelaide; then to Tasmania, visiting Hobart Town and Launceston. He returned to Melbourne, and came to New Zealand in the Omeo. While she lay at the Bluff, he went on to Invercargill; and he arrived here in the Omeo on Monday last. On Saturday, he was introduced to His Honor the Superintendent. To-morrow, or as soon as possible, Mr. Schafer will go, by way of "Christchurch, to Hokitika; thence to Nelson and the North Island. From New Zealand, he proposes to start for the Mauritius, and thence to visit Madagascar, the East Indies, Siberia, and to make his way through the northern portions of Asia and Europe. This, he calculates, will occupy about three years. Mr. Schafer estimates that, during his 16 years' travels, he has gone over about 150,000 miles, taking the distance from country to country, and from city to city, in a straight line. He states that of the 150,000 miles, he has walked quite 100,000.