TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 630, 3 June 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

THE CAVALRY REYTEVY. Sir Donald came down to-day, and re* viewed the Te Awatnutu Cavalry in the Government paddock. They mustered officers and men nearly seventy, and under the instruction of Sergfc Major Fraser, went through their drill like soldiers. They charged at the trot, at the canter, and at the gallop, wheeled about by divisions, (I don't know whether I am right or not), went through the sword exercise, and were drawing up in review order for inspection. Sir Donald went round both rauka, booking carefully at the men and horses, expressing 1 his approval at their appearance. Afterwards they formed three sides of a square when Sir Donald in a few well chosen words to Major Jackson, expressed his pleasure and satis- | faction. He said that although they might never be wanted for defensive purposes, it gave them useful exercise. As long as he was connected with the Defence Department ho would give the greatest encouragement to all such institutions. After the inspection, Sir Donald accompanied by Capt Morrison, Dr Waddington, Mr Morpeth and the reporters of the Times and ' Cross paid a visit to the redoubt. It is a fine structure, capable of holding several hundred men — and possess one great advantage namely, that if it were taken by the enemy, it could not be held by them many hours, it being commanded by higher ground, not far off where artillery could be placed. The arrangements made for the comfort of the men stationed there are very complete. The reading room il tastefully decor, ted with large lull page illustrations from th« ' Graphic' and ' Illustrated London Nev B,' which are pasted on tho walls. The room also contains a library of select books. Altogether the place is one that a wet afternoon could pleasantly pass in. From the ramparts a fine view is obtained of Ruapeka, the snow covered mountain in Taupo district, nearly a hundred miles away. This mountain can be seen from Whanganui, from Napier, and from the sea off Taranaki. Sir Donald expressed his approval of the place, and returned to the hotel, intending to leave at five o'clock per the Bluenose. I left Alexandra, with its large stores and dull streets, at half-past three p.m., and proceeded overland to Hamilton. Ascending the Maugapiko bridge I beheld Ruapeka once moie, with the declining sun shining full upon it. It looked, a3 I saw it for the last time, lika a pile of glittering silver. Shortly after I stood on the Patorangi hill, and hero I saw the whole of the upper Waikato in one vievr. Away to my right lay the King country. In front, indistinctly seen, the Te Awanmtu and Rangiaohia districts, with a little white building, which I know was the ford redoubt,, no .v descite-1. To the left tho fl.it fertile district of Cambridge. The Kind around Alexmdra is for tho most part, very broken, and I should iuiv^ino not of tho best quality, but as ib appioiichcs Putei-iin^i it improves decidCilly, and is adniiiably adapted for grass.I passed a largo tract of laud near, jn fact, surrounding tho spot whore tho s«Y^ poor follows aie buried who were kill^dfi&J the creek close by, — where the T^Md autumn glass was up, and looked g&es* and healthy. There are numerous swampa in the neighbourhood, whicX in sotno places are developed into beautiful lake^. I thiuk that the hills form the only good land in this district, tfnlike the' Cambridge land, where the hills are comparatively of little worth. The road here is very rough, and travelling in winter must be attended with some difficulty. "When I was within two miles of Ohaupo the suu set in the waters of a small lake, the last but one on the road, and I think I never beheld a moro gloriotn sight. Tho bush" on either hand seomed a n're, and the lake itself was a pool of molten goli. I^'cko. say no nnro that would not be hackneyed, bat I walked my hor.se till the view was lost. Tho darkness set in rapidly, and I could only c itch a faint glimpse of Ohanpo as I pasasd it, with its hotel, its school house and dismantled windmill, and its deep wooded hollows, an I then the whole landscape faded, and I hurriel on through tho muddy roads until I say the welcome lights of Hamilton ; and here I must lay xaide my |>eu. my inia&ion being ended.