ALL ROUND THE WELLINGTON PROVINCE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1617, 25 February 1903, Page 64

ALL ROUND THE WELLINGTON PROVINCE

(From Our Special Travelling Reporter.) Fast Monday at 7.25 a.m., in the clear morning atmosphere, the Manavratu train, as soon as “me and bike” vero aboard, shot off away up from 9ft at Wellington above sea level to 307 ditto, in three miles, at lovely rural Croft on passing, en route, verdure-clad gulches, upon the benches and leveller places on which bloom many a garden, gaily pailited villa, bits of beautiful green grass patches down to the rivulets singing far •below to the reverberating choruses of maturing spring calves, disporting skipping lambkins, Rehearsal "of the hen convention, with their strutting lords, and all those other cheerful sounds inseparable from matin rurality ; but the flying train doesn t wait for more than a peep, and presently rushes into the blackness of a series of tunnels till emerging with a roar and a scream into Khandallah, thus climbing 185 ft in two miles. Here we stop a few seconds, long enough to enjoy peeps of the blue waters of our own Port Nicholson between the green hills far down, and also to note that beautiful KHANDALLAH lies in an elevated basin of greenery, plantations and rich looking grasses bedecking the everlasting hills all around. ■Wo are off again through another tunnel, out of it, another peep of our dear harbour, and then we rush off to Johusonvillo with its village in the valley, its business places and towering green hills to the eastwards, from the top of which, of quiet evenings, I have heard the G.P.O. clock of our Empire City strike the hour; with its remote circle of beautiful * homes of well-to-do city folk, who come and go at leisure ; with its vill age settlement further back towards the lands of the Tipper Hutt; with its beautiful walks sacred to Cupid ; small farmers and their cottages nestling in quiet nooks of the undulating country. Jchhsonville is 28ft lower than Khandallah and four miles further on, at Tawa Flat, the train ha,s descended 341 ft. But whilst it stops here a slight accident occurs. A lady passenger, baby in arms, whilst attempting to negotiate the sharp wood gratings parallel to the railway, suddenly lost her footway, and slipping down, hung suspended until “Your Own” and another gentleman rescued her from her somewhat perilous position. Thirteen miles from Wellington Are dash into Porirua, take on and put off passengers, and “Times” copies, during which I have time to get capital bird’s - eye views of the harbour Avaters, of Mana Island, and tho Maori settlement and all other cheerful peeps of a AA'ealthy country en route. At Parent at a and Plimmerton Are get another uninterrupted look at Mana, and the Kaikoura Mountains across Cook Straits, Avhile at the latter watering x>lace the resorts appear cheerful and “our darlings’-' in bathing costumes, line the beaches hard by.. Before wo reach Pukerua, four miles further on at an altitude of 2G7ft, the train has run by some of the finest effects of water, island, and rock scenery, that of Ivapiti shoAA’ing up exceptionally well.

AT PUKERUA we stop to change engines from a thirty-two wheel to the ordinary engine, as onr hill-climbing is done practically, with the exception of perhaps at Waikanae, which is only a mount of 51ft in two miles. Much as I would liko to describe the country passed through before we get to our destination yet I must content me by ‘rushing along at train rate, so we shoot past Paikakarikf with its seashore and hills towering up, Paraparaumu with n's rich agricultural lauds, Waikanae with its raro trout streams, • and capital peeps of Kapiti, and, in clear weather, of the more distant Mount Egmont, ment of the North; Hadfield and To Hero with their kindly-looking country, sleek cattle and fat sheep; OtaLu with its happy folks and Maoris chumming together, and its health-giving sea-side resort (Rangi-uru-by-the-Sea), its wonderfully fertile lands and Native lore. Hero we are allowed time for refreshments: Manakau, Oh an, and Levin with their rich meadow grasses, prime dairy cows. historical Lake Horowhewua, which laves the equally legendary islet of Paipatonga. It was here, in the year 1824, that Te Raupara’s wrath overtook the traitorous Mauhopokos who wero slain to a man. Upon the western end of the island vises a carved monument of totara commemorative of the great event, which Sir Walter Buller still preserves along with many other precious curios of the olden time. Rushing past Kereru. Shannon, Makerua, Tokamaru. and Linton, our iron horse at length arrives at the Longburn Junction station, wjf’ch is the terminus of tho Manawatu Com-, but although the passenger is required to pay the small extra fare of lid to bo carried on to Palmerston North yet the same Glxriagos take you there in ten minutes. PALMERSTON NORTH, which is reached at 11.25 a.m.. is 87

miles from Wellington, 103 ft above sea level, and is the centre and market placo of a wealthy and extensive pastoral and agricultural country, and it has greatly prospered during late years. Five years ago it AA'as reported to be in a very “dicky” state, chiefly owing to loAA’ering prices and slack demand. Since then the butter industry has shot ahead Avith giant strides. The South African AA'ar has been a God-send here as elseAvhere, for it has greatly helped to send up pricea of stock, produce, aud land A r alues enormously. Last Aveek a small farmer in the western suburbs sold sixty acres for the not untidy sum of £OO per acre, and I saw another Avho coolly refused £IOO per ditto for his lot. Of course this seems a fictitious \ r alue, probably begotten of momentary competition, therefore unsafe as a quotation, yet the fact remains that people Avill buy at tlio top of the market, and it is the Aviso and indeed the lucky Avho sell. Each Thursday in every week is marker clay, and it is then that you see sights Avorthy of mention. From eA T ery centra and settlement all around pour into tOAvns mobs of cattle, sheep and horses under the immediate attention of the drovers, the cracking of Avhips, and sharp Avhelping cries of the collies; then there’s the hundred and one gigs, dog-carts of the smaller farmers, milkers, and cockatoos, in which are seated the contented looking farmer, his \A-ifo and his daughters, all rubicund smiles and looking their best: there are the shays and smarter equipages of the better to do farmer and squatter and their smartly-dressed families, and there are tho young ladies avlio ride horses and bicycles, escorted by the gay bucks of tho country on prancing steeds, all merry and gay and laughing. Wo have not such a joyous assemblage in the cities, and that is probably because man made tho towns 'while God made the country. Palmerston is at once one of the cleanest and best laid out inland towns I have seen, and Avhat I like best about it is the free air and roomy appearance it rejoices in, no houses being huddled too closely, Avhile the very centre is occupied by a large xv ell-grassed tree-plant-ed square on tho greenery of Avhich every shop of note faces. Amongst other attractive features the agricultural capital of Manawatu boasts as fine a shoxv ground as need he, but as the shows are growing so rapidly the grounds, large tholugh they be, Avill have to bo extended, and to that end tho society is endeavouring to acquire adjacent lands, although enormous prices are being demanded therefor. Palmerston North lias also a capital recreation reseiwe in the Victoria Esplanade, situated on the banks of the ManaAvatu river. xvhich is distant some mile and a half from tho Square already mentioned; it is also to liaxm shortly an opera house, xvliile its Avatcr supply and sanitary conditions are good. The streets aro aa*e 11 made and xvide. and all the roads leading out of tho borough aro fairly good. In the matter of investments in tOAA'n lots exddences supply soundness, two Sections l xvhich xvere purchased recently for £6O a piece a feAA' AA'oeks ago realised £250 a piece, not a bad spec, for the man xvho sold last. They enjoy the wind a,nd tlxe rains here, thank you, just as much a s xx v e do in the Empire City, although they did manage to annex three fine days this AA'eek, but at the time of writing, Friday, it is coming down cats and dogs; worse luck for those Avho have to get in their hay. Yet matters social ne\ r er get too dull, for the moment any cloud the size of a man’s hand peeps up on the horizon the local press immediately dispels it by going all they knoAV for each other’s scalps. For instance, to-day the atmosphere is sultry by the pitched battle of these scribes, one of AA'hom calls the other a “castiron face,” and to AA r hich that other in reply, threatens to xA’ipe the gutter with its contemporary, all of xvhich “pleasantries” produce fun and commiseration. Palmerston North is being xvell looked after as far as ciwil and religious instruction go, there being xvitliin the municipality and suburbs no less than eight elementary schools, AA'hile there are fix r c churches so that neither ignorance nor His Satanic Majesty Avill haA'e much show hereabout. Taken altogether, Palmerston is a xrnry livable place, and had it that AA'hich is quite impossible—a seaport—it xvould be a most desirable place of abode. A FLOURISHING TOWN. In the toAA’n itself AA'e cannot pass the av ell-appointed ironmonger’s shop of Mr R. S. Barry , AA'hich "looks out upon the Square, Palmerston’s glory. The proprietor is inside, and has been established here some ten years. Previous to that he managed for Messrs Dickey Bros., Auckland, for fourteen years. The chief features of his flourishing business consist of a A'ery superior assortment of lampware, and ho AA'as tho first to import that indispensiblo utensil, the Blue Flame kerosene cooking stove, and of AA'hich lie has since sold hundreds. His office heating apparatus is also a x'a.luable convenience AA'ortliy of attention. Further xvest is the neat establishment of Messrs De Leun Bros., fashionable tailors, xvhose capital Avork in noAvest cuts, latest designs, and neatest fits, haA r e long since earned for the firm enviable support from numerous patrons. When I entered the establishment the Messrs De Leun and men Avere uo to their eves in business.

Along the eastern side of the Square centrally situated, the artistic premises of Mr T. C. FoAA’lor, who is making a success of the Rod Bird Bicycles, the cushion frames being a speciality. He is also agent for tho D.I.C. Simplex. Mr FoAvler, who, by the Avay, was an artist, still unmistakably exhibits those rare instincts in the beautiful arrangement of his show rooms. While there Mr Foaa'lci’ showed me the simple yet AA'itlial invaluable inner works of tho Rod Bird bike, explaining minutely each section thereof. Ho also did me tho honour of playing for my special benefit some fine selections by aid of tho Simplex.

In his cycle repairing Avorks and blacksmith's shop. I had a yarn Avith tho proprietor Mr C. A. Borgerssn, aa'ho, as engineer, machinist, smith, and blacksmith, has laboured here for tho last 18 years, and he has also been in Palmerston for 32 years, seeing it in all its ups and downs. Ho guarantees to mako anything from a needle to an anchor, from an engine to a bellows, from a bicycle to a Avheelbarroxx’, and what is more to tho purpose, too, his handicraft is being readily recognised and supported by bis numerous -patrons. Up tho Rangitikei Road the Eagle Brexvery, under the able management of Mr J. H. Gattscbe, continues to pour out its rich brcAvs of sparkling ales, and for AA'hich it has annexed many first prizes. In 1886, the “Eagle” ale took first medal at tho Wellington Exhibition, AA'hile Mr G. showed me enough certificates and axvards of merit to paper a goodly sized room. As brewer for the firm Mr J. H. Gattscho gained much valuable experience in Germany, and New Orleans, United States of America, and AA’hich noxx r stands him in good stead. It AA'as AA’hile at the latter placo Mr J. IT. G. AA'as an eyexvitncss of the lynching of those eleven Italian (misguided sect), aalio murdered tho Chief of Police there. That occurred in 1891, and since then until lie took charge of his father’s brexvery, tho late. Mr Gattscho. Mr J. H. G. experienced much “variety” in his AA’alk cf life.

Messrs Osgood and Hancock, in their beautiful new shop in tho Rangitikei Road, are at, Avork, and go right into business. They make a speciality in picture faming in all its branches, and i.n tho AA’indows are exhibited some very chaste designs and tasteful pictures in their frames. The firm has been established in Palmerston North . for seven year's, during AA'hich they have plied Avith big success their varied art and trade of painting and paperhanging, and. picture framing. They hold, like many other intelligent farseeing men, unlimited faith in the early prosperity of Palmerston North and its surroundings.

Down tho Rangitikei Road nearer the Square, Messrs Mans'on and Barr carry on in Avell appointed premises a lucrative and expanding business in xvholesaie ironmongery, and farm implements. Since commencing in 1897, the firm has annexed tho solo agencies of Cooper and Duncan’s farm implements, the “Noxon” binders and rakers, and their special attraction to dairy farmers, the “Daisy”, churn. Amongst some American novelties is the irresistible O.K. av ashing machine. Avliich is as good as two servants, and much sought after. Speaking of its excellencies, Mr Manson assured me that he had seen the machine xx’asli completely in five minutes two good tubsful. The firm enjoys a large and increasing trade in farming implements Avith New Plymouth T Ha.xvkes Bay, and Manawatu. A Ausit to the “People’s Cash Store,” in Cuba Street, Palmerston North, is not by any means one of tho least sights of importance in town. Mr A. E. Clausen, the proprietor, is in his office, and at. once volunteers to show me his Avonderful crockery and glassAvaro shoAvrooms, the excellence of Which I had previously heard. On entering the A'isitor is astonished by such a blaze of glassware everywhere. The Avails from floor to ceiling are set out in thousands of beautiful and. delicate designs in glass, crystals, china, and rare” delfs. Along the centre way rise pyramids of gilt, and rainboAA'-liued cut glass and crystal ornaments, and valuable dishes. Speaking by comparison, I can say that I have seen nothing in Wellington to‘eclipse Mr Clausen’s exhibition of golden glitter, brilliancy of colour, and flash and blaze of crystal and glass. The spirited proprietor intends having the interior photographed.

• Mr A. Alderton, boot and shoemaker, Rangitikei Road, while he assiduously attends to the sc(u)les of his numerous parishioners, gives; his awl diligently and willingly to help their understanding, he being also never unmindful of their “last” end. His conversational powers are excellent, he being, like most of his intelligent class, able to converse well on any subject. He likes Palmerston North, but yet has leanings for beautiful Auckland and its lovely ‘ harbour where ho first saw the light. Mr Alderton is very popular, and enjoys a fair share of the public patronage. At the Park Road training grounds I found that_ very popular trainer, Mr David Stevens. Ruapehu, and one or two other' “bloods” were in evidence, but I was just too late to witness any of the morning’s “work”; however, I had a friendly chat with Mr Stevens on

racing matters generally, topics ott AA'hich of course he xvas at home. NotAvithstanding the heax*y rains of the past month or so, tho course looked all right, and as to the surroundings, I mean in a picturesque sense, made up as they AA'ero of plantations, gaily painted homes and cultivated farms, they appealed to me, a city man, as very fine. LeaA’ing Mr Stevens, who received me A'ery kindly, bike and I glided to THE HOME OF MR WHITE, on the cast hank of the Manawatu RiA r cr, and a full A’iew of the Ifitzherberfc Mountains. Mr White is at AA'ork on the hay stack, but comes down, cordially bidding me Aveicome, and shows mo with pardonable pride his prize pigs, pointing out on the Avay to tho piggeries a very fine Yorkshire mother Avith half a dozen suckers at free will in tiie grass fields. In her well appointed sty dwelt the mother cf the field sow, and at the last Woodville Slioaa' she annexed first champion. Whilst turning to, the next sty Mr Whito let fall that for bacon nothing beats tho cross-bred Berkshire and Essex. The Taimvorths grew quickest*; here’s a fine five month Tam AA’hich will turn the scale at 150ib. Of course for real good value in prizes there’s nothing to beat the pure Berkshire. Two years ago one such bred by Mr Abrahams, fetched as much as £ls 15s. “There’s money in pork,” continued Mr White; “for instance, since last No a* ember I netted £4O from bacon alone from one factory. But to bo successful you must feed your thoroughbred pigs properly, and also attend carefully to their housing. I attribute my many prizes at the Palmerston slioavs to these. I feed mine on buttermilk and on boiled refuse. Hero’s a 12 months Taimvortli AA'hich will turn the scale at 5001 b, and AA’hich Avon first prize at the last Palmerston show.” I never saw a finer pig. Mr White, after taking m e to the loosebox of Derringshot, a thoroughbred, by Derringer, inxdted mo inside his own comfortable home and produced Avith much satisfaction a sheaf of certificates of first prizes, gix'ing me lavo photos of his prize-takers, AA'hich appear in our illustrations clseAvliere. Further along tho road is the dwelling of Mr McTaggart, another xvellknown trainer, xvho being at home, chats “turf” and slioavs me “Ballarat,” tho daughter of Gcldreef cut of Groundspec, which Avon tho Flying Hack Stakes at Foxton recently and annexed the Maiden Hack last Christmas. “Ballarat,” Avhen - her cover avss removed, showed good form and did not look at all unlike Advance; Avhich up till the last ex r ent at Wellington had won her owners £6905.

Going northwards along th.\s fine agricultural belt I stopped at the home of Mr C. J. Thompson, avlio oavus as rich a parcel of land as any in the district. £IOO an acre Avould not purchase this tract, and indeed it appears to be Avorth that figure. Here greAV, side by side Avith other vegetables, the richest crop of peas I hax r o ex* or witnessed. Mr Thompson is justly proud of his land, and so Avell lie might be. The next place cf interest is “PINE FARM,” owned and AA'orked by a fine old stamp of an Englishman, in the person of Mr Thomas Chamberlain and sous, avlio, as bike and I come up are busy in the milking sheds; but the genial bead of Pino Farm finds time to look at the “Mail,” order same for the home as a first-class family Aveckly, and yarn about the crops, the prime class of stock on the farm, the farm land itself AA'hich he, in twenty-five years, cleared of the almost impenetrable forests, and carved out his present home. Mr Chamberlain is at present milking 15 coavs, which give capital profit at the factory of Bid for butter fat, and although the weather lias been emphasised by one of tho longest and most severe winters in the memory of settlers, and snoxv has been seen where it never had been seen before, yet my friend of the evening does not complain very seriously either of a shortage of pasture or any great throwing back of the season’s stock, the prices of the latter being, as lie freely, admits, encouragingly high. Referring to the early days of the Manaxvatu West. Mr C. informs me with pardonable pride, that he carried the first plough, on his back, full 2c-Avt, from tho Longbourne railxvaiy station to his farm, then a sea of mud, and' no load either; it was over one mile —which was no joke. MR RIDDIFORD.

Over across the xvay I had the good fortune to fall in AA r ith one of the mostsuccessful landowners in the colony, Mr Riddiford, who chatting about the season’s crops, stock, politics, and the financial outlook, and Ne\A' Zealand's greatest statesman, the Right Hen. Mr Seddon, than whom he, Mr Riddiford, considered the colony of Nexv Zealand held no cleverer man. “I suppose I ought to he a Conservative, for Mr Seddon has trod upon my corns, but I should bo sorry to see anyone else attempt to carry out the policy now being so ably administered by Mr Seddon, who has done xvonders in advertising the colony in both the Home and fereign markets, xxi.tn the happy results, that of putting up both the prices of stock and produce.” Continuing, this clear-headed man pleasantly admitted that tho Premiers 4 efforts in South

.Africa, and in tho Old Country had done •wonders in tho way o-f advertising the actual value cf Now Zealand's lands; personally, they had increased his own particular lands over fifty per cent. “Yes. I am perfectly satisfied with tho present Administration, less the labour portion cf it, which requires much mending.” Concluding, Mr Rickliferd informed mo that his losses in stock and crops had been heavy owing, to tho heavy continuous rains cf the lengthened winter. Next morning hike and. I voyage out East Fitzherbert and strike in the early cloudless morning CLIFF LOAD FARM. HOME OF MR J. C. PETERSEN. Junior Petersen is at wonc amongst the white pine* stumps, and will deal in what lie reckons is the North Island’s best illustrated weekly, the “New Zealand Mail,” which ho not only readily orders but cheerily chats after tho following light-hearted fashion : “Three years ago Ciiff Read Farm, part of the. Prendergast Estate, was a waste cf bush and swamp; you have around you umu i stake a bio evidences of r/.ir work upon this 100-acre holding in the oats down by the river there, in the rich grasses for the depasturage cf our 40 Shorthorn milkers whose rich supply, is sold daily by us to the Nathan 'Creamery, and at satisfactory prices too ; tho one drawback is the river, which is cutting into our land, which, you perc-mvo is situate on the eastern bank. Aitl lougli our roads hereabout arc not. quite so bad as some I could tell of, notably at Pongaroa, in. tho mud of which we had tho unique experience cf having a team of horses stuck fast, yet much could bo done to improve them, and I think Mr Sodden’s attention should bo drawn to tho roadiess back blocks. I think a lot of the Premier. and if ho knew how badly we are being treated by the local road boards in this respect I fancy ho might do something in the way cf improving their condition.” “"Well,” replied I, “tins is just the very thing the New Zealand ‘Time.’ and ‘Mail,’ which I have the honour to reprcs.net, are advocating, and you will no doubt ho glad to learn that Mr Sadden himself is. through our agency, getting so far to know of your wants that last night at Levin he unmistakably voiced not only your past neglect iii this matter, but promised to spend less in the matter cf main roads which would but improve the richer and more extensive blocks cf tho hitherto favoured few, and mere in tho construction of roads through the small farms or the struggling settlers in tho back blocks.” “If ho does,” said Peterson, jun., “ho and Jus Government will earn the gratitude and support of tho many small farmers and cockatoos, which are, I take it, the very backbone cf tho farming and agricultural country.” “Hear, hear,” replied Bike; and off wo went to the celebrated

JERSEY FARM. HOME OF MR S. It. LANCASTER. also situated on the eastern shores of the Maaawaiu River, only much further removed therefrom and in no possible danger of inundation, by reason that tho lands lie on a higher level and the river sets away from it. Mr Lancaster is at home, and farms 80 acres cf the best laud 1 have yet seen. He has only worked here some eighteen months, but Iras, nevertheless, done wonders in * that time; the crops of potatoes look extremely well, and should yield over 15 tons per acre ; this, I judge from the trials made in my presence by Mr Lancaster, who, from root after root, throws up with undeniable satisfaction many great shining tubers, and from rich free brown soil which, he says, lives down everywhere five to six feet. From these acre’s of growing wealth' we proceed to the sheep pen.-; holding the high-class Southdown two-tooth prize rams which have won so many firsts and champions in tire shows of Palmerston North, Wocdvilio, and Masterton. Here is a very fine ram which took firsts at Dunedin and Oarnaru shows last year, here a Southdown which annexed no less six champions; twenty - one guineas wouldn’t purchase him. In the grazing paddocks we find “llangitumau,” a fine looking prize Jersey Bull, Syrs, which annexed five champions in 1901, and two champions in the following year. He is going to the Masterton Show next week. “Rangitumau” doesn’t relish strangers, a;ya hut for tho faithful smooth-haired collie who has also won no less than sixteen prizes at the dog shows, would once or twice have given me an earnest of his disfavour in the shape of “higher altitudes.” Mr Lancaster himself remarking with smiles that Taurus is a bit “cheeky” at times. In the adjoining paddock we find tho Jersey milkers and heifers. Look at this model heifer; she lias just brought kudos to her owner by annexing no less than twelve first prizes, and she is barely two years old; “I wouldn’t take £IOO for her mother there. Tho milk tests from these,” exclaimed Mr Lancaster with pride, pointing out some 30 pure bred Jerseys, “have reached as high as 4.1. For butter fat you. can’t beat the Jersey, and, unlike the Shorthorn, they never go off their milk.” To the styes which held pure bred Berkshire aiid Tamworths, also prize-takers, we went, and then a cup of tea in the well-appointed homo of my host and a last look at

GIUOS jo q.U3SO.TCI "8 ‘p.IBqOJO Oltlde oqj photos of tiic fine stud stock, and good wishes cf Mr Lancaster, and hike and I are off to the next place of interest, which happens to bo tho N A TIT A N DEFIA NCB CREAMERY, managed by Mr J. E. Paterson, who lias j ust been receiving the last of tho morning suppliers, and proceeds to clean up for the day. Learning my quest ho pauses and shows me the interior oi tne creamery, which is well appointed and furnished with a turbine a. an initial power, and a Do Laval Separator. At present tho creamery is putting through daily sixteen suppliers, which give butter tests averaging from 3.9 up to as high as 4.1, the pay last month having been 9jd, the suppliers being 'well satisfied therewith. Mr Paterson, who is very popular, keeps everything scrupulously clean and tidy about tho factory, anti, talking cf the different.*; breeds, holds to tuy belief that

best profits can be got out of the Jersey milker, for tho reason that they give the best per cent ago cf butter-fat. Up tho Fa.hiatua road, which branches eastwards from that cf tho Fitzherbert ditto, I found Mr J. Krivan and son. harvesting a small crop of rye seed, having just delivered their morning butter-fat, produced from 15 Shorthorns, to the adjacent creamery. On tins holding peas, pigs, potatoes, and sheep add considerab’y to tho revenue of this hard-working farmer, who, however, complained bitterly cf tho evil winter which had robbed him of some 15 calves. Retracing, we course again more cf the Fituhorb.art East Road until arriving at the beautiful home of Captain Gardner “TE WHAIiE,” and that, gentleman being at homo, bids us cordial welcome, shows us his Shropshire Down sheep, his horses from the Oberon stock. lie is concerned, needlessly, we think, over the lameness of a thoroughbred foal which had evidently only strained a sinew and should get all right with a little care, hut tells us of most exasperating cattle troubles, particulars of which I am unfortunately precluded by the law cf libel from publishing. Then my friend entertains me with reminiscences cf h:s carder days when hrst in the Royal Navy lie saw a good den! cf active service at Yokohama, where such thrilling tilings ns burning prizes, hoarding, cutlass in hand, the enemy, and hand-to-hand encounters were cf daily occurrence. From the navy Captain Gardner went into the mercantile service—a more lucrative following, for he both owned and captained ships doing payable business on tho high seas. “I have now spent 15 rears on tho sea and fifteen on the land, and cf the two I would sooner have tho sea,” concluded the Captain, laughingly.