PICTURESQUE NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1197, 8 February 1895, Page 21

PICTURESQUE NEW ZEALAND.

A GRACEFUL poem.

The New Zealand Graphic of the 19th ultimo contained an excellent view of the Papaitonga Lake, accompanied by the following interesting sketch:— It will be welcome news to all lovers of New Zealand that the present Government has issued instructions to the various Commissioners of Crown Lands throughout the Colony to reserve from sale in future all the choicest scenery, the sites of ancient pas and fortifications, and other places of public interest. If New Zealand is to be made in every way attractive to the tourist of the future, surely this is sound policy on the part of our rulers, to say nothing of the importance of conserving “ local traditions” for the benefit of the future New Zealander. It is very gratifying also to find that some of our colonists begin to realise the necessity for this. A case in point is Sir Walter Buller’s beautiful country home in the South. This spot is thus described in the last volume of the “ Transactions of the New Zealand Institute ” (vol. XXVI., p. 572)“ Sixty miles from Wellington by"the Manawatu railway, and less than two miles to the westward of that line, -there is one of the prettiest bits of natural scenery in New Zealand. This is Papaitonga, so called from time immemorial, the name signifying ‘ the beauty of the South/ It is a lake of 125 acres in extent, with two exquisite islets covered with bright vegetation. On the north and north-east sides it is enclosed by a beautiful native forest, which presents a thick fringe of tree - ferns and underwood along the water’s edge; on the southern side there is open rising ground, with clearings in the forest bejmnd, showing the snowcovered ranges of the Tararua Mountains; whilst on the low-lying flat to the westward there is an outlet to the sea, about three miles distant, by the Waiwiri stream. Every part of it is historic ground, Papaitonga having been the scene of one of the- most important of ancient Maori fights, and the little island which has given. its name to the lake the principal battle-ground. To this day the island is a perfect necropolis of human bones, although concealed and protected by the; dense growth of evergreen vegetation that now covers the site of the ancient pa. The original possessors of this picturesque lake—the Muaupoko—after being vanquished by Te Rauparaha and his armed followers, were driven out of the district, but a remnant was afterwards permitted to Gome back and settle at Horowhenua, a little further to the north, which is still the home of the tribe.” The Papaitonga Lake is the home and breeding place of numberless waterfowl. Sir Walter Buller brought out with him from England white swans, Egyptian and barnacle geese, Iceland sheld-duoks, mallards and other birds', and these are all now’ fairly established there. But besides the imported birds, the lake teems with native wild duck and teal of various kinds. Not a shot is allowed to be fired on these placid waters, and the ducks breed among the raupo sedges in perfect security. Among recent visitors to this sylvan retreat was the Hon W. Pember Reeves, and to commemorate this visit his name was given to one of the pretty wooded bays in the lake. This inspired his poetic muse, and we have the result in the following beautiful verses, which are now published for the first time

IN PEMBER BAY, PAFAITONGA LAKE. Safe from the mountain tempest’s wild alarms, Safe from the driving sea-wind’s bitter spray, Placid, enfolded in the forest’s arms, Lie 3 Pember Bay. Did some brown lover in his fancy’s youth, Name thee in accents musically slow, Soft Papaitonga, ‘ Beauty of the South,’ Called long ago ? Midway between the mountains and the deep, Secure from upland cold, from salt winds Bathed in sweet air and sunshine thou dost keep A golden mean. Dark clouds may brood on yonder peaks and spurs, Chill winds may chase the sea foam flake on flake, But here is peace. Nought ruffles, nothing stirs The tranquil lake. Nought shakes tlio eras, whose interlacing fronds, Like sea birds’ wings, uplift their giant pinions. Nought stirs the brakes, whose creepers’ myriad bonds Guard green dominions. Look, while the sunset clings to yonder range, Look, while the lake gleams silver in its ray. And pray that though all beauty else may change This scene may stay. Here the wild birds, from ancient coverts pressed, May seek asylum by this silent mere ; For though no other glade or wave give rest, They find it here. Though in an hour the forest fire ends all That nature can in patient ages build, Though through the land the straight tall trees must fall, The birds be stilled, Yet in this sacred wood no axe shall ring, These winding shores shall sanctuary give, Where in cool thickets happy birds may sing, And verdure live. Long, Papaitonga, may thy ferns grow fair, Thy graceful to6-to6 droop and sway, And never tree or bird know scathe or soar© By Pember Bay.