FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4193, 24 November 1883, Page 10 (Supplement)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

[By an Amkrican Lady.]

No. I.—Auckland.

To even the ordinarily-cultivated mind a. continual change of scene and associations >-lS must produce a variety of thoughts and H suggestions, and leave an indelible imprint I I of experience.. The first impressions of a new country, when unbiassed, are generally- 9 ! appreciable as a record to those who are for the time, the subject of the same |HI therefore, I am de«irous of not presuming■ "ft to write a literary article, open to all gorte ' I of criticism ; but, as nearly every American lady keeps a diary of her travels, I thought li a few elaborated extracts from mine would I he acceptable as regards New Zealand. } When my husband started on his lengthy ' tour through New Zealand, I had from " what I had been repeatedly told' fond- H anticipations of the pleasure and delight I was about to enjoy, and I can honestly eav that already my anticipations hay© been i more than realised. New Zealand so faras I have at present seen, is a lovely couo try and without wishing to flatter you ' ' 5 Auckland, I am sure, must be a bright crem in its array of beauty. I ga^ «•£ mingled feelings of surprise and admiration at the many landmarks on the rueeed coast, and, as we entered this harbour I was fain to admit that it was a sight lo'n? to be remembered. Weird and picturesqu! the view, with the mighty Rangitoto looming in the distance, and the other Ihftv mountains all around us; the charming North Shore on one side, and the pretty broad-spreading city, with its windmill and bright-looking houses on ths other Ihe whole scene reminded one more of an" Italian.view than any I have lately witnessed. Even with the gentle beauty o£ Sydney harbour in my mind, I was fascinated with this one, and 1 must admit '^ that while the Sydney waters and surround- 1 M ings are delightful in their loveliness, these are gorgeous in their grandeur There ari H so many special objects of interest herethat I have scarcely had time to see them aIL. i-' and the incessant rain lately has prevented me from seeing half that I should have I wished; but one little trip I was much I pleased with, and that was my visit to tho North Shore. What a lovely little seaside. 1 suburb ! And what nice boats to take you 9 there! The view from Flagstaff Hill alone i repays one for the time spent in going oter, 1 and the luxury of having one's portrait. I taken by a voluble photographer, .who, I by-the-by, remarked to me when in j,.|J position, "You look quite a hangel, Miss,"' f>| an orthodox expression of his, I under- I stand—followed by indulging in strawberries and cream in those gardens contain-^'ll ing such a nicely-arranged combination of <M arbours and rustic retreats, make up a day's enjoyment that I should) like to re- fiS peat very often. Another '' smiling view ll ;'M is a drive through Remuera to the raoe- ,'M course. I was particularly struck by thel i'll marvellous amount of excellent pasturage, M dotted here and there with suburban retreats in all styles and sizes, and I con-'jiS sider the panoramic view with tho riret winding in and out, backed by the volcaniaJi^K pinnacles, a picturesque study sufficient to I enchain the eye of any true artist, ai^;:||! enchant the attention of even any ordinary :';|jf observer. The races I should have enjoyed >.*| further, had there been more people and I less rain, but being passionately fond of Ap horses, I saw much to admire, and I mujlMf congratulate the Committee on the fhtti'wf stock exhibited, especially that dear little Revolver! No wonder Auckland is prondilpt of the recent racing feathers ipill its cap, when horses like these-1.; are plentiful amongst them. -TJ»| B Agricultural Show, too, has many B . charms for me, and I was marvellously surprised at the exhibition of local potteryware. I must confess to beingsp disappointed, though, at the local hacks .I?----being ridden by men. Surely you musHl,' have some graceful equestriennes who eoalj|Ki be induced to lend a lustre to the Showb™|s their appearance? Oh, yes ! Ladieß:-«]H lend lustre to everything, and althoug¥ffl||J! am speaking of my own sex I am determined j?' to indulge in this little piece of flattery. Now from the simple beauty once mow3if: to the gorgeous grandeur. I had heard to much of the surrounding view from the ' summit of Mount Eden that the other draß I took the first opportunity of making an" ; ascent. Oh! what an ever-changing, bril-iji; liant view- as one goes round and round on I the -winding road ; and, oh! what a majeiwli sight when one reaches the summit. Sqfi3fl| after we started the now too much familiar^n' rain desconded, and although I should^-.., dearly like to stand up there on a fine day^jß yet I was by no means sorry for my visit, u,.. the rain gave the scene a wondrouß Mtfijjp thrilling appearance. The fast-gathi^HH rain-clouds rolling on nearer and nearer, - with the Heavens pouring forth all aromiOp andthecoustantpealsof thundermakingofle '< start so suddenly, gave me a terrible inajMsß into the wrathful powerof Nature. Idon'teare1;: to moralise, but I itust say that standingjjfi.1 '! high upon that peak with the proofs of all, f. that mighty power around you, brings! < i thrilling thougnts to one, and makes tofra feelingoneof aweas wellas admiration. Ismlß the crater also. For some long time I livei-jfe!' j where, from my window, I could see ™||ijj enormous Mount Vesuvious, and hav»E' many times been down the coolest SfSSHS ■< (which is very hot indeed) of its exteniiy^g ■ crater, and though that of Mount Eden;ffl»| scarely one-tenth the size of that of MoMtjjjii j Vesuvious, still I enjoyed gazing down,asiaw : made one think and wonder what thu||p| country was like once, and how much ereditfe'--is due to your citizens for the speedy aiw|||| ations and decided improvement that all the surroundings have undergone. • It aeenw t, almost a pity that such a historical landiS-1 mark, affording such fine scenic opportuntsfip; ties, should be the victim of the advancefl^B civilisation, by being gradually decreaeeflwlj to obtain substance for modern roads ; in all countries the object of old associatiotiffi'; gradually fades, and I suppose Mount ~ J cannot be petted by being made an ex^Sll tiou to the rule. ,'•! I cannot individualise the courtesies|nfflß kindnesses I have received at_ the l>an(«fflK ' so many of your leading citizens, isJJ|Si| have been so numerous; but I ™*^X heartily thank them, one and all, for eniwMj ling me to obt-ain tho information an^.'WH the beautiful sights which I have eriw|3H voured to notice in this humble letter. Mrs JraiA A. PoaßHt

There was a miner in the village of WPjSjii dorf in Germany, who, when hs was iII,WM accustomod to send his son to the eftptafl, of the mine to give his compliment*, '.fmaa say lie was sorry he would not be able togp;>y : to work that day. One night the father died suddenly, and the boy, thinking M only right to let the captain know, wrote: tho news to him in the following words s--1 "My father sends his compliments, N|| says he is sorry ho can't come to work'ilil| mere, as he died at half-past two o'clock;' this morning."