LETTERS ON NEW ZEALAND AND THE VOYAGE THERETO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 684, 23 January 1866, Page 5

LETTERS ON NEW ZEALAND AND THE VOYAGE THERETO.

Hobson treet, Auckland, N.Z., January, 1866. Mr Dear Friend, —I purpose giving you in these letters a description of our voyago to New Zealand and my impressions of the country, as promised some two yeaTs back. We weighed anchor on the Sunday after you parted with us, both myself and wifo feeling very dull as we left tho shores of and bid a last farewell to our native country. As we had never been in an emigrant ship before, we naturally thought very little of the accommodation afforded to the passent gars. Wo were knocking about the Channel some ten days, and during that time experienced strong gales and had our topsail and main-top-gallant-sail carried away ; the moaning of tho wind, the shouting of the sailors, tho beating of the waves against the Bides of tho ship, cannot be realised by a mero landsman who has never beon a voyage to sea. The attempts made by the passengers to walk the decks onßuch occasions during the voyage wore extremely ludicrous to witness. Ono poor fellow, in his endeavours to cross the deck, lost his balance, and the wind and the sea coming at the same time with a sudden rush, he went head over heels into something very like a brewer's vat, and after great exertions, and amidst roars of laughter, was placed safe and aound, not on mother earth, but on the deck of the vessel. We sighted land several times during our voyage ; among other places an island called, I believe, Porto Santo, also the Madeiras and the Canary Islands. When we sighted Porto Santo the moon was shining in all her splendour, the sea was lashing itself into fury; and the island making an excellent background, all united to form a splendid panorama, beyond the conception of those who have not witnessed a similar scene. Whilst in thesa latitudes onr first death occurred on beard, (I am sorry to say we had several afterwards), and it is wholly out of my power to convey to you an idea of the mournful solemnity attending the committal to the deep unfathomable ocean the remains of one with whom we have been in daily contact during tho voyage, and whoso bright hopes and prospects were never allowed to bo realised. As J expect is generally the caS9, we, as passengers i on board our emigrant ship felt very strongly that we had not the accommodation provided for us which •was promised, and a great deal of discomfort 13 caused by the want of management of the officers on board, who have it greatly in their power to make the voyaga pleasant or disagreeable. Our vessel had been a "West Ind-an trader, and was neither so well equipped nor kept so clean as the generally of emigrant vessels. Those marine peeta the cockroaches were as numerous and about as troublesome as the flies in th« Egyptian plague ; they can either walk, jump, or fly, walk down your throat, bite your toe nails, or relieve you of your kaikai, and keep you amused or annoyed all night long. So you see, what with unwelcome guests which you c&unot get iid of by not; being at home, with a thorough change of diet from fresh meat to salt horse, and an absence of vegetables and other necessaries to which landßmen are accustomed, with very limited spactj for either sleeping, eating, or walking, a sense of weariness begins to be felt long before tho termination of a protracted voyage# I shall now conclude this letter without further comment, and in my next will prooeed to give you further particulars of my v yage to New Zealand. I am, &e., G. B. Wm. Hunt, Esq., Sleafoid, Lincolnshire.