CHAPTER III. —FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2852, 23 October 1890, Page 4

CHAPTER 111. —FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

"At last the time came when wo expected to reach New Zealand. Quite a new feeling seemed to pervade the ship. Passengers begun to look up all their belongings and get them packed again. The crew were busy putting the ship in order; all the brass work was burnished until it shone like gold. Even the captain's voice seemed to take a sharper ring of command. At last we sighted land, and although it looked rugged and desolate in the distance, we were all delighted with the beautiful harbour and calm waters. Though it was the end of March, it was just like summer at Home, but witli statelier skies. We had to beat about a good deal before reaching our anchorage, and those few days at the last seemed the longest of them all.

"After a pleasant voyage of 100 days, we cast anchor in the beautiful Waitemata. It was evening bo fore the anchor was clown, and we all sat on duck, and saw the funny looking town of wooden houses lit up. The next morning there was a general rush for the shore. We had taken our passages through to Taranaki where my sister, Mrs B„ lived. So we only took a small quantity of luggage with us, not knowing if we could get any accommodation. Oh, my dears, such a strange town, and on the beach lots of half-naked Maoris. The main street in Auckland was Shortland-street, and the houses were all of uneven sizes and height Tho principal shop was a grocer's, iSomerville's. None of us could walk very straight at first. I went into a shop and asked for some apples 1 saw in the window, they were Is per lb. After some trouble we managed to secure a furnished room in Princess-street, and your grandpapa went back on board again for some more things for us. It seemed so strange to us, the fires on the hearth, and of wood. We stayed some weeks in Auckland and visited all the interesting places. Up Mount Eden, such a lovely view from there but so different from what it is now; also to the Three Kings Mission Station. The most attractive resort to Aucklanders at that time was the Halfway House, on the Epsom road, and on Sundays such crowds of people used to go there. There were some nice churches, and wo wont to theni all in succession. Our rev. fellow passenger had his church, and I thought sometimes when I heard him preach of the japaned water can. He was a very good man, however, and had helped a young man in the steerage so much that lie got into a good position at once, and I have often heard since of his kindness to others.

"After our short sojourn in Auckland we went out to Onehunga, and stayed at the only hotel there at that time. There we made a »oo(l many friends, to whom we had letters of introduction.

"Nearly all the people at that time had the gold fever, and nuiiiIjersj were leaving for California. My father had wished that one of his sons-in-law would have a try for it like the rest, f did not like parting with my husband, but. seeing so many g'>ing we decided at. last that I should go on t.o my sisterH mid wait Ilir-re iinlil lie returned from the Kldoranu, or sent for me. So .selling our piano for £40, and other tilings, we arranged everything and waited until our ves;;el was ready for Taranaki.

"Onehunga at that time was a very small village, such a little l>it <jl wliari. No largo vessels eauio

into tlio Manukau, the principal wore small schooners ami cutters. Thu village was first established as a settlement by military pensioners who had pretty cottages and pardons There were also a few nice villas. Tlio pensioners and busliiiion, who worked in the kauri forests that fringed tlio Maniikuii Harbour, used to spend their money very freely. One evening Mrs V. called us out to seo a man with his feet in a footbath of champagne. He hail but someone ho would do it, at a heavy cost to himself, for it was a pound a bottle. Somo of our steerage passengers had parents in the settlement, and w0 went to seo them, also Miss H., who lived in Otahuhu with her frionds- I was sorry to leave Ouehunga, but liad to go on board for Tarauaki. " And oh, my dear children, if I was sad at parting from my father and mother in England, how much more did I feel it on leaving my husband. He nearly altered his mind, and very little would have decided him to come on with me.

" VYe had a worse trip round the West Coast, then we had all the way from home, the vessel, our English ship pitched and rolled in a dreadful manner, and 1 was very ill. The steward usod to take the baby away from hip, wash and dress him, and bring him back again. I think the captain thought lie would have a death on his hands, for I could eat nothing in fact I don't think I tried to.

" One day after we had been tossing about for nearly a week, against head winds, the captain sent me a note, asking if I would oblige liini by mending a flag that he wanted for Taranaki. He had been so kind to us, that I wanted to do it, but I felt quite unequal to the task. At lastl said 'Bring it here steward,' but that would not do, it must be done on deck. I made an ell'ort, and dressed as well as I could in my shakey condition, and the steward led me on deck, where there was a lot of flags ready for me. The captain made me sit in a comfortable seat and have some wine and biscuits first talking pleasantly all tho time. At last I said, 'Well, captain, this is not mending the flag.' He gave me one, and I began ; then after a time the baby was brought up to me, then more mending until the evening. I was quito surprised to find thatl felt hungry, and hud mv dinner with them.

"Next morning, at tho flags again, but about mid-dny the captain, with a merry smile, said, 'Steward, you cau put away the flags Mrs S. does not requiro thorn any longer,' and I found out that it was an old dodge, those flags, to set tho ladies out. Captain J. said he had never found it fail once.

(To be con United),