A TRIP TO KAWAU.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4023, 9 January 1875, Page 3

A TRIP TO KAWAU.

(FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.)

Among the Christmas excursions one of the most popular is always that to Kawau. I was tempted, among others, to make it this time. The Pretty Jane—an old Otago steamer, I believe—was laid on, the fare be ing os for a return ticket. The day was 6uperb, though rather hot, and the steamer crowded with about 200 people of all ages on board. Leaving the wharf with its ships gaily dressed for the day, the Pretty Jane wended her slow way round the North Head away into the Gulf, which looked its best, gleaming with light and adorned with the many picturesque islands studding its surface throughout. We fell in with the Assay a under full canvas just coming in with immigrants from England. Thei c were abou b 4UO on board. Our band stiv.ck up "Home, Sweet Home," and rounds of delighted cheering greeted ns as we passed from the crowded decks of the Assaye. Of course we responded, aud her passengers could not fail to be delighted with this ihst experience of their new home. Their worn and sea-looking clothing was in strong conti ast with tho gaily dressed crowd on our own decks, but next year many of them will no doubt be as gaily clad and as eager to enjoy their holiday as all Auckland colonists, at all events, always are. Steaming on, we arrived opposite the "Waiwera hot spiings, at which it was intended to have landed those of the passengers who preferred them to Kawau. These hot springs are on the beach, and the water bubbles through the sand, whence it is eone'vnted into baths fitted for the purpose. They ars owned by Mr Robert Graham, formerly Superintendent of the Province, and the present owner of the Ellerslie Gardens. Mr Graham has built a hotel near the baths, which are much frequented by invalids, and are daily growing in reputation, especially in the treatment of rheumatic complaints. No one, however, cared to land there with Kawau ahead, so we steamed on again. After a passage of four and a-half hours from Auckland we got as near as possible to (he jutty in the beautiful little bay at Kawau, and landed in the boats without delay. Sir George Grey behaves with great liberality on these occasions, and the present was no exception to the rule. The garden, filled with choice fruit trees and the choicest plants, was thrown open to everyone without distil ction. Men, women, and children wandered through it, or roved over the surrounding hills with perfect freedom. Not content with this privilege. Sir George is in the habit of throwing open with the same unreserve his fine library and drawingroom, aud in fact the greater part of the en tire house. In the library there are choice books and ornaments, and curiosities of all kinds lying about, rare and valuable pictures by Sir Joshua Reynolds and other great painters, with many of less value, but !<iill worth studying, adorn the walls. Through these rooms visitors wander at ease or loiter at leisure ; no one to watch thi m, no one to interfere with thtm in the slightest degree. Everyone is left to their sense of honour, and it is gratify ing to be able to say that on no single occasion has !Sir George found reason to believe his reliance misplaced. On the occasion of our visit those who had the pleasure of personal acquaintance wee welcomed aud attended to in the few apartments kept private, and among this number I observed oue of your old Otago residents, Mr Edward M'Glashan, who, with Mrs M'Glashan and some friends had taken the opportunity of visiting Kawau. The Island was looking its best, and some portions of the fiower garden in splendid bloom. The labourers and others employed by Sir George were also there to receive their friends—a goodly host apparently—and bad tea and provisions prepared for them on a liberal scale, and dealt out to all comers. Against nl: intoxicating liquors Sir George sets his face, drinking none himself, auddiscouraging their useas much aspossiblein others. After four p!e.isant hours, the passengers gathered from all quarters at the souiicl of the steamer's whistle. Some came hurrying along the beach, where they had picnicked under the shade of the magnificent potukawhas, rich with clusters of crimson blossom at this season of the year; others came trooping down the hills, or from the house and gardens ; and at six o'clock all were on board, and ready to start for Auckland again. As we steam away three ringing cheers for Sir George Grey bring hiai down to the little jetty to waive a recognition of the compliment. He carried in his arms his pretty little grandniece, the daughter of his niece, Mrs Seymour George, who, with her husband, forms the household at Kawau. This lady ar.'compauied him to the jetty, and was also received with the cheers which her gracious effoits to second Sir George's wishes for the enjoyment of all class; s of the pleasure-seekers so richly deserve ; and as we steam on our way to Auckland, I ask myself, Is this the man of v/hom I read in the newspapers as a disappointed cynic—the " hermit martyr of Kawau," as one of them opposed to his recent action styled him ? Nothing could be more unfounded nor more unjust, and nothing, I venture to say, more opposed t» the opinions of the many hundreds in this place who have had to thank the liberality and large sympathies of Sir George Grey for enabling them to spend many a delightful hoiiday.