WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO A TRAVELLER IN NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 533, 19 October 1875, Page 2

WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO A TRAVELLER IN NEW ZEALAND.

Having to travel from Hamilton to Cambridge up the south bank of the Warkefta, Iwu pleased to see the amount of improvements going on. To start at Hunt's, as below that, there is nothing to "gas* about," but much room for improvement. Two years ago Messrs Hunt's farm was scarcely knovn|; ** * 8 now » by energy and industry, second to few of it* sise in the Waikato. The fem.f* •*♦ scrub hare disappeared and green d*"**^" B 'Pf.'rzig up instead. Long lines of ofl" ig Snd* wire fenoing enclose and suV * , ide it, also a new and commodious house nai been built in a vorj lovely spot. The grounds in front hare been laid out with much taste and neatness, and the whole reflects great credit on the proprietors. From Hunt* s you oorae to Oipt. Steele's, who is » mort recent settler in the neighbourhood ; be has made a good show in the amount of land laid down in grass and fenced in. Leaving thia farm on the left you come to Mystery Creel, so named from the number of persons who get mystified in finding the proper crossing. When I came to it, I asked a darned old cuss if I could oross. H« said, " well. I reckon you can if you ace deter* mined upon it." "Is it deep ?" " I can't say, ain't been across it lately." " But it looks auspicious ; do you think I had better take off my clothes?" "Perhaps you had better to make sure as it's not pleasant to ride these frosty mornings in wet pants. Make a bundle of them, put them on your head, put your spurs on your naked heels, and then if your horse is rusty you oan manage him." Now as I have been recommended to wear tight drawers, and flannels, the process of undressing was rather tedious. I was surprised at say chance acquaintance waiting the process, but he said he would see me safe over, I of course thanked him, at the same time I observed rather a comical expression on his face and his mouth nearly from ear to ear. When I was all ready and mounted, he said, " now Mister, as soon as your horse got* into the Creek, chut both eyes, draw a long breath and give the old mare the epura." I did as desired, and the next instant was on the other bank, for the water was not up to my horses knees, and my friend of the burn was roaring with laughter. I told him it was a good job for him I was not en the other side of the creek, "yes, it is a good job for oae of us I dare say, but I say Mister, you h*d better get your clothes on as I see Andy Wallace's housekeeper coming down the bank to see me." "Goodness gracious-; what shall I do, where shall I go to, ho hiding place, what shall I put on first, I wish the ground would open and swallow mo and especially that old cuss over the creek." The Urat thing I put on was my fancy waistcoat, then my hat, and then I got my feet half way down my drawers, but the spurs got properly jammed, and refused to let go with, out the piece, —footsteps coming nearer threw me into a preppiration- -one strong pull and my foot went home. To make matters worse, that fellow over the creek kept on, "now then look slippery, are you going to be all day ? you ought to btf ashamed of yourself &c." I begun to recover when 1 found the footsteps I heard came from a young man. I made inquiries for the woman, and was told there was no woman within a mile and that Jack Wallace was housekeeper this week, and Andy's turn next, " sold again." I began to give my 'friend over the burn a bit of my mind, when he retorted by sajing he Jid not think I was in a fit state of mind to talk to an independent free selector And that I had better join the Good Templars when I got back to Hamilton, and that a young fellow like me ou»ht to be ashamed of himself to be wandering about the country with his shirt outside his waistcoat at eight o'clock in the morning. With these re- ! marks he left me to dress and proceed on my journey in peace. The next farm is the Messrs Wallaces, who are only recent settlers, and are making very good progress, the autumn grass is doing as well as any I hare seen in the Waikato, it would do much better were it not for the number of stray cattle and honei that #ftt it

nearly out by the roots whilst Messrs Wallace hare to buy hors« feed. They hart been busy with toe home And ploughing for spring grass so thst the fencing had to stand over. The pad - docki of 31 mii a Kaily, Buttle, Rjsdale and Gane are beginning to put on the green mantlo of spring. M* G-ane's new home it quite a landmark and an ornament to the diitrict, the large plantation at the back will aoon be a oonipicioui objeot and add beauty to the scene. Afeun Soott have made rut improvement* in ploughing and fencing, and from the look of the grasi paddocks they are likely to reap a handsome return for the labour and capital expended. The Messrs Fither's farm loekt as green! and neat as of yore j no embellishments, such as uncut furze hedges aad fern paddocks like some I oould mention, but all looks fresh and Beat. The same may be said of Mr Reynold's and all the other farms along this road I see new homesteads in the distance, also Cambridge, so I an afraid to trespass farther on your Cambridge correspondent* domain and your patience,— (A Co ebispovm xt.)