FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15398, 5 September 1913, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

VOYAGE OF THE LYBURNIA

Reminiscences of 50 years ago are referred to by a correspondent, who writes as follows:— years ago to-day (September 5) the good ship Lyburnia came sweeping up the coast in half a gale, and anchored under the frowning heights of Rangitoto. We were a full ship of 400 souls, excluding the crew. Unfortunately smallpox had made its presence felt on the voyage, but in spite of this we had a jolly trip, particularly those passengers who had come from big centres and were accustomed to sedentary occupations.

"In looking back, it seems like yesterday. Wo had all sorts of weather, and we did not sight land for three months. On arrival at Auckland we were put into quarantine, and our abode for a month was among the ashes of Rangitoto. We had as quartermaster an elderly gentleman who regaled us with a host of humorous stories of life in New Zealand. We wished to explore the green slopes of Motutapu, but when we were told that the island was the headquarters of the Maori rebellion, and that there was a possibility of our forming the chief item in the bill of fare at a Maori feast, we checked our roaming proclivities. The first day ashore I climbed to the top of Rangitoto, which took me five hours to accomplish, but the view amply rewarded me. At the end of a month our quarantine was at an end, and we separated. Ah! Who could say how varied has been the history of that 50 years to that ship's company. Some have attained wealth, others high social positions, and no • doubt all have benefited by selecting New Zealand as their adopted home. Some have found the road rugged all along, but, after all, what matters it if a lifetime is given to build a character that will last through the ages. Such a dowry may, after all, be 'worth being poor to hold in fee.' "