PENCILLINGS BY THE WAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 536, 8 March 1862, Page 6

PENCILLINGS BY THE WAY.

FROM DUXEIHN TO AUCKLAND. I {From the Otago Daily Times.) No. IT. Wellington, Picton, axd Nelson. The impressions produced by the appearance of the coast as you approach Wellington, are not favorable — dark, sterile-looking 1 hills, with little or no vegetation upon them, stretch on either side Port Nicholson Heads ; not a glimpse can be seen of the country behind, an 1 the prospect is unrelieved by the presence of any habitation, excepting the lighthouse, which, stands like a solitary i sentinel on the summit of the cliff at the east ' entrance of the harbour. Detached rocks and low reefs are scattered in the centre of the channel, conveying an appearance of danger, which, however, from the depth of water on either side, and the admirable survey that has been made, is quite obviated. As you proceed up the harbour and gradually near the town the view is decidedly plensing. The town extends along the harbour for about a mile, and the hills behind are dotted over with pretty villas and well laid out grounds. It is to be regretted that nearly the whole of the hills behind the town are denude-*; of timber, presenting a naked appearance, which detracts much from the beauty of the town. Wellington consists principally of one long street, running along the edge of the harbour, with branch streets at either end. There are many large and substantial iron warehouses and good shops, but there is not much evidence of any considerable business, the streets being unusually quiet, and affording an immense contrast to the busy thoroughfare of Dunedin. The Government Buildings are a handsome pile, in the Gothic style, nnd spacious and convenient, and are sui rounded by an open space of garden. The Odd Fellows Hall is a spacious building, with a handsome portico supported by a row of pillars. Thy building, from its interior decorations and general arrangement, is probably the best public building in New Zealand. It contains a very nice organ, built by a resident in Wellington, and the instrument reflects great credit upon its constructor. ! Considerable improvements have been effected by the reclaiming a portion of the harbor, and the land so acquired is about being offered for saJe f for building purpose 8 . There is not as yet any | jetty at which large vessels can lay alongside, but [ I believe such are in contemplation. Wellington is subject to high winds, which rush down from the Kimutaka Mountain and along the Ilutt valley, which* acts as a funnel, and render the Harbor somewhat dangerous for boats ; in fact, accidents from this "cause are not uufreqnenl. Wellington has suffered much commercially from tho native war, the disturbed state of the Province having checked settlement. A considerable quantity of wool is shipped from this port, and an increasing trade is taking place in cattle for the supply of Ofngo, — i.irge herds of which are produced in the Province. Strenuous efforts arc being made by the Provincial Government for the discovery of a payable gold-field, — the presence of the precious metal having been demonstrated in various parts of the Province, but as yet not in any quantity. The Government have applied to Sir K. Murchison to send them out an experienced geologist, and his arrival is looked for immediately, when extensive and complete prospecting parties will be organised. The people of Wellington are quite alive to the advantages of constant and rapid communication with Otago, and are anxious to be more intimately connected commercially with the Southern Metropolis. About 8 miles from Wellington, is the township of the Ilutt, the road to which extends along the base of the clifls on the West side of the Harbor. The ltiver Ilutt, a rapid and deep stream, is crossed at the entrance to the settlement, by a large and substantial bridge, which, along with the extensive artificial banks at this point, have cost an enormous amount of money. The river is liable to sudden and extensive inundations, and the town arid surrounding district arc not urifrcquently covered some feet deep with water, in spite of the costly engineering appliances. These floods will always be a great drawback to the prosperity of the place. The township of the Hutu is tolerably extensive, and contains good shops and an hotel The Valley of the Hint is exceedingly fertile, and but for the inundations would be much more valuable than it is. Fine farms exist for several miles up the valley, and in the immediate vicinity arc the remains of an extensive Maori Pah, which must have originally accommodated some hundreds of natues. The site of the Pah is marked by a number of ln»h posts, carved at the top with grotesque heads, &c At present there nre only a fc*v tumble-down whures, and but few natives reside there. The high ranges of the IJimutaka Mountains bound

the horizon at the end of this valley, and the surrounding hills on cither side are densely covered with bush. The roads are exceedingly good, no visitor to Wellington would regret a ride to the llutt. A lino of steamers run at intervals to Picton nnd Nelson, and availing myself of the comfortable litfle steamer Storm Bi' - d, I proceeded to Picton. After about 24 hourVsail across the Straits, we entered Queen Charlotte's Sound by the Tory Channel, from which Picton is distant about 15 miles. The sail from the entrance of the sound to Picton i& a.s delightful ns one can well conceive, the complete protection of the harbor rendering the water as calm and glassy as a lake. The varied scenery, now abrupt cliffs, now wooded hills, with vegetation down to the water's edge, and anon, snug little coves, form a picture which, for beauty, is not to bo surpassed in New Zealand. Deep water cxi«ts almost dose to the banks, and at the wharf at Picton, which is only about 60 feet long, there is 17 feet water at low tide. Picton, the capital of the new Province of Marlboiough, is as yet, of course, in its infancy, but considering its extreme youth, about two jear<s, is more extensive than would Lc supposed, and contains about 30D inhabitants. By the erection of a wharf, alongside ivhich large ships can bo moored, and the construction of a large receiving warehouse, it is hoped to make this place the port of shipment for the wool produced on the extensive runs in the interior. Great efforts are being made to connect Picton with the country behind, by means of good roads, and about £20,000 was expended on public works of this character last year. Twenty miles from Picton is a large plain called the Wairau, on tho banks of the river of that name, but the value of the land is much deteriorated by the constant inundations of the river, which frequently overflow the country for miles. The voyage from Pictoji to Nelson is, unquestionably, one of the most interesting in the colony. Au inspection of the map will shew that Queen Charlotte's Sound is a perfect Archipelago, and the constant variety or the scenery, the still blue water", and the sinuous course of the channel, now skirting close to wooded banks, and again between rugged masses of rock, constitute a tout ensemble unequalled in its peculiar character in these seas.

Before us spread A spacious bay, whose deep blue waters laved The verdant shores, which, grateful for the boon, Did kiss the rippling stream with dainty lips, Making sweet liquid music to the ear. Around us rose iv silci.t majesty. High, pine crowned hills, anil rocky cliffs, Which tow'ring upwards, shoot their rugged crests Deep in the flaky clouds, who&e vapoury" palls Did wr;ip them as a garment of the skj . Gently glide mo on, and as w e speed, Scenes fresh, and varied strike the raptured eye High hills and fertile dales, and lonely coves, Pit renting place for the spirits of our loves.

After threading the maze of islands and promontories, we came up again on the North coast, skirting which for a while, we steer to the southward ofD'Urville Island, which is separated from the mainland by a narrow pass at the entrance of Blind Bay. This pass is one of the " sights " of New Zealand, the tide rushing through at an enormous rate, causing large eddies and whirlpools, dangerous for small vessels. Some idea of the rapidity and force of this stream may be formed, -when it is estimated that there is a fall of three feet at certain times of tide when the volume of water from Blind Bayjfrushes through with immense velocity. The channel here is only about a ship's length wide, but deep water exists almost to the shore.

Prize History of South Australia.— An advertisement will be found in another column, requesting gentlemen who were supplied with subscriptionlists for the prize of £200, offered some time ago by the Gawler Institute for the best History of South Australia, to forward them at once to Mr. S. R. Fox, the Secretary. The 25th of June is appointed for the Committee to decide upon the prodretions sent intj andit is therefore requested that the lists may at once be sent so that the accounts may be made out. — S. A. Advertiser, February Bth.