A LADY'S NOTES ON NEW ZEALAND AND THE HOT SPRINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 739, 13 March 1877, Page 6 (Supplement)

A LADY'S NOTES ON NEW ZEALAND AND THE HOT SPRINGS.

A Giskmax lady has just published a record of her journeyings m some of the more attractive scenes chiefly m the North Island, and her visit to the Hot Springs, which have been collected from the "Protestant Standard," and issued m a reasonable form. The little brochure may be had of Messrs. Upton and Co, and is written m a light and pleasing style, interspersed with tit bits from the works of Dickens, with which the authoress is evidently familial*. The larger and most interesting portion of these notes relate to the lake district, and are full of pleasantries. A very small space is devoted to a description of Auckland, being glimpses of the Domain, its ocenery arid birds, and the surrounding hills. The lady, however, is quite m love with the North Shore, and on landing at Victoria wharf, indulges m a flight of fancy. She says, "On landing at Victoria wharf a hill of the same name, upon which a flagstaff is erected, alFords a beautifiUjvicw on every side, particularly of the noble Rangitoto, standing silent and grand, bathed m a succession of indiseribable tints as the afternoon sun casts its raysuponit. Beautiful secluded lanes are on the North Shore, where the trrass is luxuriantly green ; neat hedges run along one side ; m a meadow the silvery feathers of tlie graceful pampas grass are waving, further on stands a beautiful specimen of the handsome cabbage tree, and a cozy little cottage forms the back-ground." Lake Takapuna also comes into view, and is happily described. The lady lauds her pleasant lodgings, and compares the services and choirs of St. Matthew's and St. Paul's. She then visits her country-men Mr Hoffmann, of Phortland-strect, and Mr Seuffert, of Wcllcsley-street, and justly praises Mr SoulFert's artistically wrought tables, boxes, and other articles, made of the choicest New Zealand woods. She then proceeds to other towns and cities, each of which she describes m her free and easy manner, portraying with considerable power the more singular of settlers, guides, and natives, by the way. Her notices of the Hot Springs, and her adventures amongst them, will be read with interest, and at last, previous to her departure for Sydney, she sits down af Mra Murphy's, m Symonds-street, Auckland, and sums up the expenses of a two months tour, which. amount to £S2ss, and closes her notes by saying " Never did I spend a more pleasant time. The kindness I met with almost every where, the improvement m my health and spirits which I experienced, cause me to look upon New Zealand as the pleasantest spot m all the earth. Would tha.t I could induce a number of people to follow my example, to tako a trip round these glorious islands, which will amply repay all the time and money expended thereon." . . ■■ r, . "'