FROM WANGANUI TO PATEA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 7 (Supplement)

FROM WANGANUI TO PATEA.

THE FIRST JOURNEY OF COBB'S COACH.

We take the following interesting account of the first journey of Cobb's coach between Wanganui and Patea, from the Wanganui Evening Herald : — Tempora mutantur ! Tbe first journey of Cobb's coach over a country in wbich less than five years igo ten thousand men could hardly pass with safety, and which within twelve months a body of one hundred was attacked in open day, is a little epoch in our history, and I am inclined to think that the sth TTebiuavy will have a place in the local caleadar. Early ou Saturday morning* the coach started from Rutland Hotel, and, iv order that the event should be duly honored, Mr. Sheppard provided himself with a bugler, and the departure was announced in an appropriate manner. As we passed through the outskirts people were attracted by an unusual sound passing like the wind, and they looked with delight through half opened eyelids at the great harbinger of civilization moving forward. We went np Sfc. John's Bush hill in splendid style, and then we had three or four milevS of rather heavy sand, and after passing this I the road was good to the Brighton Hotel, which was reached in about an hour and a-half. After a call to receive Mr. O'Hanlon's congratulations, we moved down on to the beach, and had. between two and three miles of pleasant travelling. We went inland at the Okeku, and here was the only difficulty of the whole journey. The passengers alighted, and tbe horses bravely pulled the coach up that sharp declivity of sand. The coach will only have to pass this way for a few weeks, until little bridges are thrown across the Kai Iwi and Okeku streams, and a slight cutting 1 or two rcade. The line will be inland the whole of the distance to Patea. Tho sand hills on the other side of Okeku once passed, we found ourselves on a level road, and moving as smoothly as if we had been on a bowling green, we were soon at Pakaraka. At the request of the passengers, Mr. Sheppard branched off the main line, by another very good road via Tauranga Ika. When we arrived opposite the pah, the horses were pulled up, and fifteen minutes were allowed to inspect the remains of Tito's former stronghold. I was much struck by the change in the appearance of the place from the morning it was abandoned by the natives when I carefully inspocted every portion of the works. Then the large towers, the doable line of palisading, the countless whares and shell-proof houses, formed an imposing sight that made everyone Avonder at the engineering skill displayed. All these have disappeared. A rauk gTowth of " Scotchmen," that seems to scorn, by its impenetrable labyrinth, the decay of those inert masses which represented savage power, has enshrouded the crumbling parapets, and not a trace of what once was is to be seen until you are close to the trenches. I, with my fellow travellers, walked round with difficulty on the top of the parapet, for here and there a gap was formed which impeded our progress. When standing on the most elevated portion of the parapet, a trace is to be seen of the extent and shape of the pah. The trees which formed the roofs of the shell-proof houses, are still resting in their sloping position, but nothing more is io be discovered, and the invincible gentlemen I have named, as they have already planted their conquering roots, will soon have wiped out all vestige of what stood so proudly and defiantly twelve mouths ago. There was no time for reflection, for we had just completed our circuit of the ruins, when " all aboard" called us to resume our journey. We had not pi'oceeded far before we met with the first welcome from a settler. Mr. F. Williamson, jun., had awaiting us a large basket of ripe peaches, a most acceptable offering at the time, and after a halt of a few moments, we desceuded to the Waitotara. The cuttings to this river on both sides are well done, and will require little improvement ; not so of the Whenuakura or Patea ones, which reflect no credit on the engineex 1 , who might have taken some valuable suggestions from the ferryman. At the Waitotara, the punt was gaily decked out with evergreens, and with peaches still dinging to the branches. The coach entered the punt under a triumphal arch, the band of the Veterans playing a lively welcome. We were received on the other side by Major Noake (who was on his way into town) and Captain Kells, who had provided a champagne lunch, at which Mr. Sheppard and the passengers were entertained. A change of horses took place here, aud we were quickly in Wairoa, where the first active sign of settlement began to show itself. Many buildings are going up in and about the township. The small holdings of the military settlers here are favorable to population and progress, and caused a constrast to be drawn between that distriot and the Waitotara, where the greater part of the land fit for settlement is in the hands of about half a dozen persons. The effects of the war at Wairoa will soon be removed, and its progress will bo second to that of no other district in the Colony. I noticed carpenters from Wanganui busily engaged erecting a considerable addition to Palmer's Hotel, and I was told that the population, in settlers and tradespeople, was daily on the increase. The Whenuakura was crossed, and in three-quarters of an hour the coach was crossing the Patea River. The ferry arrangement:* at the rivers are equal to those at Wanga.nui, and the ferrymen understand their work. This is no small comfort to passengers who feel themselves perfectly safe. The Patea people were in

eostacies at the sight of the coach, and none seemed more delighted than the Ngatiporous. The coach drew up at Casey's Hotel, and the new arrivals were received with a very cordial welcome by the inhabitants. The journey from Wangutmi, including all stoppages, occupied eig-ht hours. The road, the greater part of the way, is as level as a book leaf, and the passengers agreed that they have never ridden on a better one in the Colony for the same distance. I noticed, on arriving in Patea, that a migration is taking place from the lower to the upper or new township, where some very pretty shops have lately been erected, particularly Messrs. Taplin and Muir's. The lowest township (it can hardly be called a. township, as it has never been laid off for one), is on a sandhill, and, with half the houses taken down, it looks a dreary, god-for-saken place, and before many weeks it will probably be deserted altogether. The new town stands on an excellent site, but no sbreet has yet been recognised as the leading one, and the consequence is that the buildings are rather straggling. The centre of the town will doubtless be near the new ferry. The telegraph office will shortly be erected, and in the ordinary course of things a church and gaol will soon follow upon tbe heels of population. In the evening*, Mr. Sheppard was entertained at a public dinner. The catering was done by Mr. McGuire, and it gave universal satisfaction. Captain Hirst presided, with Mr. Beamish in the vice-chair. A band was in attendance. The usual toasts of the Queen and the Royal Family, the Army and Navy, were given, and the Chairman proposed the toast of the evening, "The health of Mr. Sheppard," and in an excellent speech referred to the event of that day, when Wanganui and Patea was connected by a mail coach running twice a week. The Patea people fully recognised the enterprising spirit of tbeir guest, and were anxious to do him the greatest honor in their power. The toast was received with musical honors. Mr. Sheppard replied in appropriate terms acknowledging the encouragement he had received from the Hon. Mr. Fox and Major Nbake. He said he hoped before long to be running a coach through to New Plymouth. (Applause). Mr. Hodge then proposed Major Noake, whose health was enthusiastically drunk. It was then regretted that the Major was unable to be present. Mr. Beamish gave the toast of the Press, coupled with the name of Mr. Ballance, who responded, and proposed " Prosperity to the Patea District," coupled with the name of Captain Hirst. In responding, Captain Hirst said he believed there would be no war again in the district, and that people might settle and feel secure. The Ministry had adoped measures calculated to cause a feeling of confidence in the present, and faith in the future. The following toasts were proposed and responded to : — The Fox Ministry, Capfcain Wray, Mr. Woods, the passengers by Cobb's coach, the ladies, and the host. A most pleasant evening was spent, the most dyspeptic finding room for mirth and enjoyment. The coach started on the return journey on Sunday morning, at ten o'clock, coming 1 by the Nukutnaru road, which is superior to that by Taurang'a Ika, and arrived in Wanganui at half-past six in the evening. The passengers acknowledged the kindness and attention whioh Mr. Sheppard had shown, and intend presenting him with an address. In about a month, the telegraph as well as Cobb's coach, will have connected Wanganui and Patea, thus uniting in an inseparable band two districts, the interests of which are identical. I have heard a good deal of gratitude expressed for the efforts of Mr. Fox to promote the peace and welfare of the Patea District, and I believe his good intentions are being ably and zealously carried out by Major Noake, who has the entire district from. Wanganui to the Waingongoro River under hisi charge.

Native Lands Court. — The town has been somewhat full of natives during the past two days, in consequence of the Judge of the Native Lands Court, H. A. H. Monro, Esq., having arrived from Auckland, to adjudicate on the different claims of the natives in this district to their land. During the holding of the Court the natives were very orderly, and the business was transacted without much delay or loss of time. — Tavanaki Herald, February 23.

Early Grapes. — We have to thank Mr. Hulke for a present of a quantity of grapes reared by him in his green-house. They are large and extremely delicious iv flavour, and we should say could not be surpassed by any on this side of the line.

The Mountatn Road. — We understand that his Honor has obtained from tho General Government a sum of £500 to be spent in opening a trunk road through the Mangorei District in the direction of the track cut by General Chute.

Government Inspector of Flax. — Dr. Irvine, of Nelson, recommends the inspection, by Government authority, of flax intended for shipment, as a measure likely to inspire confidence in shippers and insurers. He also suggests a similar precaution with regard to wool. The Hon. tub Premier visits Auckland. — The Hon. Mr. Fox was a passenger by the 'Rangatira' for Napier, which left Wellington on the 12th February. The Hod. Premier would remain in that Province till the ' Phoebe' arrived on the 15th, by whfoh vessel he intended to proceed on to Auokland.

Maori Translation of Earl Granville's Despatch. — Some Maori translations of Earl Granville's laso despatch are reported to have been circulated among tho King natives. The authorship of translation is attributed to Mr. C. O. Davis, of Auckland. — Otago Daily Times. The New Zealand Flag. — New Zealand is to have a flag, and the Government has already settled upon a design, which, it will be acknowledged, is a very appropriate one. The Colony will retain the old family shield, and add to it a quartering peculiarly its own. The flag wiU be the Union Jack, in the centre of which will be a green wreath, composed of rose, thistle, and shamrock, and the inner space will be an azure blue, on which will be seen the four stars of the Southern Cross. We understand that in a tew days tho flag, which lias been designed by Lieut. Woods, commander of the schooner 'Edith,' will bo hoisted at the Government buildings, Auckland, under a aalute from the battery.