CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 821, 26 January 1867, Page 2

CHATHAM ISLA ND S.

3 (from our own correspondent.) Dec. 18, 1866. In our former correspondence we noted the P arrival of some twenty passengers from Lyttelton per the Despatch. Of that number a few were casual visitors, but the majority I were new settlers, and amongst them some useful artisans, viz., a blacksmith, wheelwright and carpenter, handy and expert 4 mechanics — in fact, men calculated to ad- \ vance their own interest and prove most l useful to the colony. a r Our young sheepfarmers are now settling i down upon their various stations.. Some of them have secured tracts of from twenty to thirty thousand acres of country, which \ experienced men have pronounced to be ? unrivalled. Our island, though swampy, , contains a fair average of fine hard dry pasturage, and the land is fertility itself. Here ' and there the plains are dotted by little | clumps of bush, affording desirable shelter for the fleecy fold. There is another pcc uliar feature in our landscape, which, is not only picturesque and pleasing to the eye, but peculiarly advantageous to the sheepfarmer, f Arising invariably from the level expanse, conical hills or gigantic mounds tower up to the altitude of from four to five I hundred feet, and around their base may be found the choicest verdure, and shelter from j! every wind that blows. . • ' j In a recent journey from one settlement | to another, we dropped upon a party of our young sheepfarmers quietly located in a snug . and cosy little bee hut which they had i erected pro tern. A single glance at the inmates was a convincing fact that they had been ushered into existence amidst the swathings of purple and fine linen, and their manner and deportment was such as can only be acquired by refined and elevated associations ; evidently, however, they were • matter-of-fact men of the world, determined to fight the battle of life boldly and cautiously. There was nothing of the gentle l shepherd or the romantic Orlando in their composition, and we felt an internal con- . viction that they would neither squander time in mutilating God's trees, nor waste their breath in useless invocations to ima- . ginary Rosalinds. A most hearty welcome awaited us ; indeed our arrival was an immediate signal for the culinary preparations a to commence, and here our full powers of admiration were called for by the inimitable domestic arrangements of this impromptu establishment. The gentleman who undertook the bread department was evidently ' great in jloiir, for the cool and scientific ' manner in which he measured out that nec essary condiment, the artistic blending of all the materials, and the workmanlike finish " of the massive loaf, ornamented with bass , relievo and deeply indented by a gigantic St. Andrew's cross, was, until its final consignment to the huge camp oven, a most goodly sight. Long and intently we watched ' the glowing embers, until, influenced, per--1 haps, by that unfortunate worm which dieth not, we ventured to insinuate that it must be done very Drown. Now, a subaltern's ' advice to a skilful and experienced commander is sometimes ungraciously received ; ' the great man is quite able to direct his own affairs. Thus it was with our artistic • baker, and his prompt and curt negative evinced something like disgust at an imperil tinent suggestion. We fell below zero, and awaited the good time coming in silent rej signation. At the right moment the signal was given, the camp oven was uncovered, ' and, Oh! shade of Epicurus! such a glorious loaf was revealed to our view, so exH quisitely brown and so elastic, that it had " almost burst its barriers, and arisen to the ' margin of its prison walls, and St. Andrew's 1 cross, yawning wide, actually represented in ' miniature the celebrated pass of Glencoe. 1 We will briefly add that with prime mutton [ chops, which the Chatham Islands produce *' in positive perfection, a fragrant cup of tea, with various delectable et ceteras, the time passed "as merry as a marriage bell." \ Mivart himself could not have catered bet- ' ter, and the entertainment was decidedly cheaper. A simple incident rendered us in ' the slightest degree uncomfortable ; our 1 worthy hosts seemed to labour under that | cutaneous affection, so prevalent in the mountainous districts of Northern Europe. ' Marking this, and uttering an involuntary ? benediction on his Grace of Argyle, we resolved to steer clear of personal contact. ' The alarm, however, was utterly unfounded, ' as the sequel will show. The settlers ha--1 ving daringly intruded on the sanctity and • solitude of the mosquito territory, the fear--1 ful little insects had in revenge poured their myriads down upon them, like the Assyrian 1 host upon the devoted soldiers of Hezekiah, but with a very different result, for they ', winged their way from the sanguinary contest gorged to their hearts' content with the best blood of the unfortunate pakehas. Our good friends dwelt most eloquently on their sufferings, and interlarded the tale with countless anathemas upon their relentless persecutors. This fully accounted for the suspicious indications before alluded to. A most pleasant evening was passed, enlivened by reminiscences of other days and other lands ; the song and jest went round, and " Auld lang syne " rang out merrily through the silence of night. May success attend these industrious young pioneers; indeed we are well assured that they will not fail. By God's help aud blessing the wilderness and the solitary place shall be made glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Ere the conclusion of our pilgrimage we encountered another " new chum," bran new from the old country. He had been a merchant, and for many years maintained an elevated and honorable position amongst his compeers. Circumstances, however, over which he had no control, destroyed the fruits of many years' labour, and he awoke from a long dream of prosperity and fancied security, to find his household gods shivered, depressed in eh'cumstances, all lost save honour and unimpeachable integrity. His energetic mind prompted him to seek a new home and country, and by God's help rebuild a fallen fortune. In this manly resolve he came hither, with the heartfelt good wishes of many sympathising friends. At our first interview this worthy gentleman seemed excessively fatigued after a heavy day's wash. Upon lines in front of the dwelling, an extensive wardrobe was suspended, drying and bleaching in the sun, and before him stood a huge basin of starch, which from time he most skilfully and dexterously applied to collars, bosoms and wristbands. We were truly astonished to see him so far advanced in the art and mystery of the craft, but to see them so smoothly ironed and so neatly folded would

have astonisned even Mrs. Grundyy y little circumstance may be deemed trivial, nevertheless it is by no rneanSr an uninteresting trait of the Anglo-Saxon character, which ever did, and ever will, rise superior to circumstances. At'Kaingaroa we found the place resounding with the sound of hammer and saw ; and, on a most pleasant and romantic elevation on the western side of the harbour, the spot was pointed put whereon a very beautiful villa is about to be erected by Thomas Ritchie, Esq., of Lyttelton ; on the one side the eye commands an extensive and panoramic view of park like scenery, and at our feet, in most glorious tranquillity, reposes the clear and pellucid waters of the Wabo lagoon. One may. well imagine what an oasis in the desert this will become, when to the luxuriance of nature is superadded the refined and cultivated taste of its talented possessors. The gentleman in question has in conjunction with his young relatives (who have resided on the island for about three years) secured large and valuable tracts of country, and has finally determined to locate himself amongst us ; we feel assured that such an advent will be a great boon, and tend most materially to advance the interest of our infant settlement. The next visit was to the hospitable abode of our young friends Messrs. Ritchie, and here an unusual aud interesting scene' awaited us; they were busily engaged in sheep-shearing,. and their Maori neighbours in a body had spontaneously come forward, shears in hand, to render assistance, and this without hope of fee or reward, but solely from motives of respect and regard for their young pakehas. They worked with a will and in an incredible short space of time the sheep were denuded of their fleecy mantle ; the kai was ungrudgingly dealt out; a barrel of flour and the carcase of a ninety pound wether disappeared with magical celerity, and all parties seemed pleased and satisfied. We have had some experience of Maori life, but most assuredly this little incident developed a new phase in their character, and serves to show that by plain honest dealing, kindness of heart, and good humoured bearance and forbearance with the manners, customs, and follies of our less gifted fellow beings, gratitude may be awakened even in a Maori breast. . It is truly gratifying to mark the pleasing anticipations with which our islanders hail the approaching holiday ; indeed it is our religious belief, that, of all the festivals of the Christian church Christmas is one.which should call forth the most triumphant' demonstrations of joy and thankfulness, inasmuch as it commemorates the most glorious advent that ever illumined the dark and sinful heart of man. It also awakens the memories of other days and another land, vrhen the voices and shadows of dear departed friends seem gathering around us, when hearts are drawn more closely together, and worldly cares seem for the moment dispelled. • Oh ! that is the time when the grey old man Leaps back to the days of youth And brows aud eyes wear no disguise But flash and gleam in truth. Oh! that is the time the soul exults And seems right heavenward turning, Whilst we love and bless the hands we press And the Christmas log is burning. We arc- not ascetic enough to believe that the Almighty looks down with a jea- ~ lous eye upon the innocent amusements of our juvenile friends ; and have much pleasure in perusing the spirited programmes which have been put forth— both at Waitangi and Kaingaroa. In furtherance of the object, munificent sums have been subscribed. We believe the sports will commence with horse races, to be succeeded by foot races, and games too numerous to be set forth; marquees will be erected and good Christmas fare provided. The St. Leger will be contended for at Waitangi, the Derby at Kaingaroa. At the latter place the festive amusements will be superintended by a respectable young sheep-farmer, assisted by a few spirited gentlemen from Canterbury who will need no injunction from Sam Weller to "Keep the pot a boiling." ARRIVED. December 19.— Rifleman, schooner, from Lyttelton, with 184 sheep, John Alexander. December 19.— Dispatch, •••, from Lyttelton, with 230 ewes, Thomas Ritchie & 00. SAILED. — :— — Rifleman, schooner, for Lyttelton, with cattle. Dispatch, , for Lyfctelton,with eattie and 4 passengers.