MR. SUTTON’S JOURNAL.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 6, 19 August 1842, Page 4

MR. SUTTON’S JOURNAL.

(Continued from Number 4.J

Stopping to rest one (lay at Turner’s, I packed -up my traps, and started for the Rev. Mr. M organ’s at Otawao, a distance of about twelve miles to the eastward of the Waipa. I had been told that this was the finest part of New Zealand, and my expectations were more than realised. The country consists of land generally level, covered with luxuriant fern, growing upon a rich black soil, and intersected by numerous rivulets, emptying themselves into a branch of the Waipa, which is navigable for small canoes for about seven or eight miles. The whole of this country presents excellent features for agricultural purposes, and a long narrow belt of forest land affording wood in abundance for fuel, household, and necessary uses.

After a pleasant walk, I arrived at Mr. Morgan’s, and was received with much kindness by that gentleman. On enquiring, however, for guides to Taupo, I learned, to my great disappointment, that a party of natives had only started two days before, .for that place ; and that, without paying an exorbitant price, I could not obtain a Maori to go with me. Mr. Morgan, however, most kindly extricated me from the dilemma, by urgently requesting me to make his house my home, until an opportunity occurred of prosecuting my journey. I was very glad to accept his oijjer, which afforded me the means of going over the very splendid valley of Otawao, which presents a level tract of land fit for agriculture for many miles. Slightly elevated lulls occur at distances, but none so steep as to be unavailable. Large quantities of the tlax plant are met with in the moist parts of the valley, and every natural advantage offers itself to the settler wishing to form a farming establishment. The natives, however, appear to be disinclined to part with any portion of this land, but are willing to receive Europeans on a temporary footing, allowing them ground to cultivate. They were awaiting, with great impatience, the arrival of Ilis Excellency the Governor, who will probably be able to purchase from them such quantities as he may require. This part of the island, if occupied, will undoubtedly, at some future period, become the granary of New Zealand, not only from the nature of the soil, but from its facilities of water communication. Mr. Morgan’s station is on an extensive scale; he was building a large and excellent weather-boarded house; has a garden stocked with young fruit-trees of every description; and a capital paddock laid down in English grasses. There is a very large pa within a short walk of his house, all the inhabitants of which are converted to Christianity, and his congregation, on the Sabbath, seldom consists of less than five hundred people. After enjoying his hospitality for two days, I learned that a boy belonging to Taupo intended returning home; and I was, therefore, glad to obtain him for a guide. As usual in such cases, liis demands were exorbitant ; but Mr. Morgan’s influence induced him, at length, to come to more moderate terms. I accordingly hired him, and taking leave of my excellent host, made a start. Knowing that this was the last European house I should meet with until my arrival at the end of my journey, Mr. Morgan was anxious to give me many things which would add to my comfort on the road. I, however, declined them, being fully aware that not only would their carriage entail additional expense, but that most likely the cupidity of the natives might be excited, and that I should be forced to part with them. After some little delay, I managed to set off; but it was late in the afternoon, and I did not expect to get very far on my road. Crossing a level flat of fern ground, about two miles across, I reached a lcai-ki-tea forest, in which Mr. Morgan had established his saw-pits. The path led tor about four miles along the banks of a small creek, on each side of which the natives had cleared and cultivated numerous patches of ground, planted generally with corn and potatoes. On emerging frem the forest, we came to a small native settlement, where I expected to find the brother of my guide, named Robert, who was to accompany us. He, however, was not there; and it commenced raining in torrents. I, therefore, “ made myself up” in my blankets, and slept soundly, in spite of all the discomforts of an unfinished Maori hut. The next day and the next passed, our friend not making his expected appearance, and the other refusing to stir in consequence of the incessant rain. Notwithstanding the wet, I took the opportunity afforded by my detention, to visit the numerous settlements around. At every one of them, without exception, I could not avoid noticing the splendid condition of their cultivation grounds, the produce consisting of corn, potatoes, kumeras, water-melons, gourds, &c., all growing in the greatest luxuriance, in spite of the carelessness of the culture bestowed upon them. From the scarcity of food last year, larger quantities of ground had been brought into cultivation, and the crops promised largely. The natives were' principally missionaries, and at every settlement pressed me to remain amongst them, offering to build me a house, furnish me with provisions, &c., gratis, on condition of residing amongst them.

A fine clay at length presenting itself, ancl no

appearance of Robert’s arrival, 1 determined, much against tire inclination of my guide, to make a start, being heartily tired of the smoke and abominations of the wretched cabin in which I was staying. We travelled through numerous small settlements, for a distance of about 8 miles, when the country began to assume a more hilly appearance, the fern becoming more thin, and the soil less rich in appearance. On arriving at the top of a range stretching about cast and west, I obtained a very extensive view of the country on each side. On one was the valley of the Wai-pa, extending farther than the eye could reach, and presenting innumerable spots of cultivated ground; on the other, a gradual descent for a few miles, bounded by ranges of lofty picturesque hills, of every size and shape. On the summit of the range was a circular embankment, which the natives requested me not to approach, it being tabooed, in consequence of some of their tribe having been slaughtered, and their remains buried on the spot. Descending the range, and travelling in a south-westerly direction, we arrived at a deep and rapid stream, separating us from a grassy valley. The only passage across the river was by means of a tree, which extended about half way over, two feet under water. I got on well, until I reached the end of the tree, when in I plumped, and had to swim for it, the natives heartily enjoying my awkwardness. Two hours further travelling brought me to a deserted settlement, where the natives had a potatoe ground on the side of the hili. Here they stopped to obtain a supply, during which time we were joined by Robert, who had travelled all night to overtake us. A high range of hills to the eastward was pointed out to me, as being the route pursued by Captain Symonds and Dr. Dicffenbach last year, there being an extensive settlement called Maunga-tau-teri at the rear.

(To be Continued.)