AMONG THE BOOKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 72

AMONG THE BOOKS.

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD SETTLER IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. By John Webster, J.P., Opononi, Hokianga. Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Melbourne, and London. In a preface to Mr VVebster's reminiscences, Dr Hocken explains that the work lias been published " at the earnest wish of Mr Webster's family and numerous friends who rightly consider that incidents not only eventful, but of an historic kind, should not be allowed to perish. Amongst them must be counted his -two journeys of 1839 and 1840 across the desert wastes of Australia, driving cattle from Sydney to Adelaide 70 years ago. . . . Another incident is that of" Bis connection with Hone Heke'6 war as a volunteer, in company with his friend Maning. . . . His account discloses some new perils and gives further information." That, an observant gentleman who has lived in five reigns and has travelled extensively should have something interesting to lay before the public is only what might be expected. Mr Webster tells a Slain, unvarnished, tale, and those who esire to learn something of the conditions of life some 80 years ago, and of the dangers and hardships which had to be encountered by the adventurous spirits who blized the track for those who followed, and assisted generally in reclaiming the wilderness, will accord his work a warm welcome. Born in Mont rose, Scotland, in 1818, he left Glasgow for Australia in 1838, Botany Bay being reached in DeoembPr of that year. Of the many incidents whioh the author experienced during his stay in Australia, and of his two overland tours, it is impossible in the -pace at our disposal to give any adequate idea. The blacks were troublesome, and the party Ijad more than one rather serious skirmish with them. In 1841 Mr Webster wine to New Zealand. His description of the appearance of the country and the condition ot affairs then existing are highly interesting, and it i_ould have been wished that the author had been able to follow up his account of the war M'ith Hone Heke with particulars of the progress of peaceful settlement. His experiences, when trading with the Native*, would have been of the greatest value. We learn from Dr Hocken s preface that in 1851 Mr Webster went to California, and afterwards voyaged among the South Sea Islands, where he took part in many stirring events. At one of the Solomon group. Captain Boyd, the owner of the schooner in which the voyage was made, was murdered by the natives. The vessel was wrecked while endeavouring to enter Macquarrie harbour. After trying his lu<_k on the goldfields, Mr Webster paid a visit to the Home country and finally returned to New Zea* land in 1855, taking up his residence at Hokianga where he mairied and settled down.