In Pember Bay.

POEM .BY W. P. REEVES,

I On the shores of Lake Papaitonga (Ohau) is a bay known as Pember Bay., It was called after William Poinber llceves, sometime a Cabinet Minister in New Zealand and later Agont-Goneral for New Zealand in London, llooves, who was a poet as well as a politician, celebrated Pembor Bay in verse. A copy of tlicse verses (which were written many years ago) has beon preserved from a contemporary print by a Levin residont. The verses are as follow: — Safe from the mountain tempest's wild alarms, Safe from the driving sea-wind's bitter spray, Placid, enfolded in tho forests arms, Lies Peinbor Bay. Did some brown lover in his fancy's youth, Namo thee in accents musically slow, Soft Papaitonga 'Beauty of the South,' Called long ago? Midway between tho mountains and the deep, Secure from upland cold, from salt winds keen, Bathed in sweet air and sunshine thou dost keep A golden mean. Dark clouds may brood on yonder peaks and spurs, Chill winds may chase the sea foam flake on flake, But here in peace. Nought ruffles, . nothing stirs Tho tranquil lako. Nought shakes the ferns, whoso interlacing fronds, Like sea birds' wings, uplift their giant pinions. Nough stirs the brakes, whose creepers' myriad bonds Guard green dominions. Look, while the sunset clings to yondor range, Look, while the lake gleams silver in its ray, And pray that though all beauty else may change This scene may stay. Hero the wild birds from ancient coverts pressed, May seek asylum by this silent mere; For though no other glade or wave give rest, They find it hero. Though in an hour tho forest fires ends all That Nature can in patient ages build, Though through the wind the straight tall trees must fall, The birds bo stilled. Yot in this sacred wood no axe shall ring, These winding shores shall sanctuary give, AVhere in cool thickets happy birds may sing, And verdure live. Long, Papaitonga, may thy ferns grow fair, Thy graceful toe-toe droop and sway, And never tree or bird know scathe or score By Pomber Bay.