JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1131, 1 March 1870, Page 3

JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.

Auckland, February 21. ' l §Wßß*.aw;,the uses of adversity" sang the "poet for all time," and as I reflected and repeated the beautiful words of the banished duke, innumerable regretful thoughts arose which reminded me I was being whirled away from Napier and friends who had stood by me through " good and evil wport', and without whose disinterested sympathy I might long since have retired from the: fiery 'arena of political themes to more congenial pursuits. Pensive meditations like these were, however, abruptly dosed by a little dog, which, sitting on the step of an Eastern Spit store, looked at me through a mass of hair which' enveloped his eyes and ears, with such a comical expression^ which seemed to say he couldn't help it, thai I could not avoid laughing, as it struck nic how his suppositious case was exactly qiine. This led me to the conclusion that I had better commence the fulfilment of a promise than waste time in useless regrets, so I at once commenced taking notes for this letter, the first of that remarkable series which, I hope, will vastly increase the paid-up circulation of the Hawkb'B Bat Herald, one of my best and earUesV^ends, which will quench the last embers of expiring faction in Hawke's Bay, and secure for me a chief niche in the Valhalla of correspondents. Here follows first results. : ; Boarding the Lord Ashley at midday, Februafy rl7tb, the civility and attention of herofficer? and servants, was exemplified by -the facilities afforded for the safe dispoq&l of laggage, and the capital luncheon which awaited our arrival. In extacies iras one obese gentleman, who, in the words iof immortal Mrs.' Gamp, said to me in private, "The pickled salmon is delicious; i ,'i can pertickler recommend it ". (by the bye it. was not pickled, but potted) ; and it would have satisfied even Sairey's expectations to find there was " sich a thing as a coweutnber." And here I digress to observe that the good temper, civil attention, and readiness to impart information of the Ashley's officers were conspicuous throughout the trip. . . / ' : Amongst the passengers were a gen tleman desirous of establishing in New Zealand a branch woollen manufactory, and connected with a -wealthy Melbourne firm ; some Thames speculators, intending settlers; a gentleman, going north to re-arrange the telegraph system ; one old New .Zealand colonist, full of valuable information gained hy experience ,* a Maori chief from Dunedin w,^p' had fiieyer before, been farther north than Napier ; and lastly, the Hon. Premier, ■ whose urbanity arid amiable manners favorably impressed all on board. Just before dusk, whilst on- my way to the top-gallant forecastle, to have a farewell look at Table Cape, an adventure befell me which illustrates the sad mutations of fortune., I was passing the engine room, when a form which I thought I recognised flitted past me in the grey twilight— it (the form), had evidently not then got "Ilia i sea legs," as it nearly stumbled over me with two buckets of "swill" which it was conveying to the pig-stye — in nautical vernacular I observed, "stand by mate," "starboard your helm," "so, full and bye." He appeared to be taken " all a-back," and let go. the buckets, and I then discovered thac I was speaking to a young gentleman once connected wfth the H. B. H. office. Two awful looking swells with whiskers, etc., a la Dundreary, were, meantime, "taking stock" of our interview. The poor fellow, who looked quite miserable, seemed desirous, yet dubious, of claiming acquaintance, so to put him at ease I shook hands with him as heartily as possible. He looked rather foolish at first, as if he was going to cry, but changed bis mind and laughed at the lengthened visages of the awful swells,, Who looked so ineffably disgusted that I could not help laughing too- — and I saw at once I had fallen at least 200 per cent, in their, estimation ; but caring nothing for their approval. or otherwise, I got the poor lad te "tell me all about it," from which it appeared since leaving your office a series of mishaps had befallen him, and he was induced, to accept a situation which he dewgnaied aY that of third, cook, but which I should term " deputy-assistant cook's mate." i I imagine my interpretation of his office I correct, for on asking him to define the s - nature of. his duties, I found it was his pro* Tinee i; chiefly\ to peel potatoes, hew wood, ; and draw water. He appeared penitent for some pecadilloes indulged in whilst in th"e""HßEltt'DT'empl6yrarid I promised to speak a word for him to some friends of mine, „'_-.' - Tfiat' night, whilst crossing Poverty Bay, I was trying to make out the lights of Turanganui, and musing on the sad past, when I was accosted by a 1 queer-looking individual who, by his hirsute appendages, reminded me of Coleridge's " Ancient riner*-!-"-The mariner whose eyes are dim, Whose beard with age is hoar." This person's appearance was so very peculiar as to cause considerable comment, gnd I, was at .first inclined to think him M nQ.cannie." He proved to be a well informed man, who had travelled nearly all over the world, and could describe pleasantly what he had seen. His particular hobby, on which he prided himself, was having accomplished the feat of carrying home to his native country, Ireland, a bottle of water from " Josiah's well," wherever that may be ; all his travels had shewn him no place to" compare to New Zealand. I came to , a knowledge of his political creed in this wise—chancing to mention the Stafford; ministry, he commenced spitting right and left, saying, "excuse use, but the penjtion of that lot makes me qualmish, flntft must get the taste of that Stafford out o' my mouth. I reckon the people are hardly such fools as to put that set in power again, why. they well nigh ruined the country, and their insults thrown iv the teeth of English ministers has caused all this ill-feeling between England and vs — cua 'em ;" after which he walked off to bed, "looking daggers," and disgusted. I sat up for a time thinking the old fellow was not so, far out, and then followed his example. - We ran down the coast against a head wind all night. By daylight, East Cape and Wanga Ohena island in .sight, passed Waiapu " about six" morning, which looked as Milton wished it in " II Penserosa." • ' "Not tricked and flounced as she was wont *"?, -: With the-Attio boy to hunt, But kercheft in a comely cloud, ■> .L iWhilf rooking winds are Piping loud ; U. Or. ushered wlth'ashqvrenstili, v. t -. /Wben.thja gust hath blown its fill; . B^i«»tlliig leaves'. ' . , • witb minute drop's from off toe eave§."

— Remarked to chief mate, " Thought the weather would change." Replied with the respectable old joke *' Thought It would be a change for the wetter" and laughed so at his joke that it was delightful to witness his mirth. Sighted bold outline of Hicks' Buy about 8 a.m.; weather squally, and soon lost sight of land, steering for Cape Colville. At sunset no land in sight; about midnight hove to ; and at dawn saw Cape Colville and its jagged romanticlooking points ; Cuvier Island also in sight. By and bye the Barrier and all the other islands and islets which adorn the Hauraki Gulf, came in sight. The Maori chief from Dunedin was enthusiastic in his approval; " Kapai te Motu," "Kapai te motu iti," he repeatedly exclaimed ; especially Motutapu excited his admiration. We entered Auckland by the eastern passage, and the beautiful scene impressed every stranger on board. I had expected much since my last visit, but was not prepared for the immense growth of the city, the crowded Queen's Wharf, and the great number of ships and steamers. We got to Queen's wharf about halfpast three on Friday, the wharf literally swarming with apparently unemployed people. Enquiring of a red-headed youth, who assisted me in carrying my luggage, what all those people did for a living, he replied, " Oh ! them ere is the loafin' lot." The Govei'nor'a oawlage and equerries wore, in waiting for Mr. Pox, who was received with much respect. As yet I have not seen much of Auckland. Queen Street begins to assume an imposing appearance, by the erection of so many stone and brick buildings. Altogether the town looks more like a metropolis than any other in New Zealand. I don't think the Aucklanders care a fig now for the removal of the seat of Government. Fart of the 18th detachment left for Sydney in the Hero, last Saturday ; the men received quite an ovation. Bane's playing, steamers and ships' rigging filled with spectators, whilst the long vista of Queen's wharf and street was occupied by an immense well dressed, orderly, crowd. Boys formed animated male Caryatides for the pier lamps, and much bunting was displayed, but there was very little cheering. You will read further details in your exchanges. Of political news there is none. Ministers, I should say, are decided favourites with the Auckland public — Mr. M'Lean in particular. Government is believed, here, to be doing its best, and it is seen Te Kooti, if not actually yet captured, can scarce find a place for the " sole of his foot." Moreover, I have beard it remarked, we are at least free from those frequent, horrid massacres which gave such a crimson dye to the Stafford Government. Again, people here remember, no man has done more injury to rebels and murderers than Mr. M'Lean, i who has caused to be destroyed and imprisoned more Hau Haas than any other gentleman who ever commanded in this colony". Of Te Kooti, the latest intelligence is, that our forces are in steady pursuit. Tahau (Te Kooti's executioner) and Hapurona Kohi are said by Eotorua natives to be at the head of a large force, which has been ascertained to amount to 70 men, whose numbers are augmented by native fears, and the Maungatapu natives are in a great funk in consequence. More dead bodies have been found, showing our last fight with Te Kooti is probably in effect a second Makeretu, where, it will be remembered, at first thirty bodies only were recovered from the dense manuka, though on the unimpeachable testimony of Henare Kakapanga, one of the best natives in the country, who saved the Europeans after the disastrous fight at Paparatu, Poverty Bay, 1868, ninety-eight bodies were afterwards found by him, and other reliable chiefs. At present, the enemy slain in last fight by latest advices, amount to sixteen certain ; twenty is mentioned, but wants confirmation. The natives say many more, they are sure, will be found. So many garbled accounts come in respecting the death of the notorious half-caste, Louis Baker, once confined in Napier Gaol witb other rebels, that you may like to know on really reliable authority what transpired. Baker was captured and left a prisoner along with M'Donnell and Mr. Drummond Hay. He tried to effect his escape, but was shot down by Colonel M'Donnell. Such was the end of as great a miscreant as Te Kooti can count in his u lwi Kohuru." Kereopa is undoubtedly severely wounded.. At his hands Gilbert Mair narrowly escaped death. Mair had just fired off his rifle when Kereopa rushed up to club him, but fell wounded within a few yards of Mair. The latest intelligence from Tauranga is that bodies continue to be brought in from bwamp3 bordering the scene of late fight. Another suicide has occurred on the island Motutapu. Ropata, of Ngatapa fame, has started, or is about to start with his men immediately, in chase of Te Kooti. He is in high spirits, and naturally anticipates the capture of his and our enemy.