NOTES OF TRAVEL FROM LAWRENCE TO AUCKLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 994, 28 November 1883, Page 3

NOTES OF TRAVEL FROM LAWRENCE TO AUCKLAND.

[Written expressly for the " Tuapeka Times" by "Exile."] For the information of your readers who have not travelled to the North Island, I shall, with your permission, supply a few of the more important notes I jotted down on my journey from your pretty town (Lawrence) to the Auckland district.

On arriving by train from Lawrence to ( Dunedin, I secured a berth in the s.s. Manapouri, belonging to the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand. The royage to Auckland city (or Waitemata Harbour), in* eluding stoppages at the principal towns on the East Coast, occupied five and a-half days. The Manapouri is a fine steamer of 1703 tons burden. She is fitted up for comfort and convenience, splendidly lighted with electric light, and cleanly and beautifully kept. I was kindly shown through the machinery by which sue is made to plough tbe "ocean wave," and its ingenuity and complexity beat anything I have ever seen before. On leaving Port Chalmerß, we soon entered the bar, where (as a proof that the dredge is still required there) two heavy " bumps " were felt as she almost grounded on the sandbank. The weather was unusually fine throughout the voyage, and the "rolling and heaving," so much dreaded by passengers, were not felt to any annoying degree. All night we kept steadily ploughing the "deep blue sea." From dark till time for repose, the passengers amused themselves and each other by singing, dancing, &c. On the following morning, about six o'clook, a look from deck would have well repaid the traveller : On the right lay the broad ocean, calm, and beautiful. As the poet says there was " not a breath the blue wave to curl." On the left, loomed in the distance, the mainland of Canterbury, where was plainly risible the Akavoa lighthouse. We kept along the coast t ; ll we reached Ly ttelton Harbor. This we did about 9.30 a.m. The Manapouti remained there till six p.m., most of the passengers taking advantage of the stay to proceed to Christchurch. Lyttelton is distant from the " City of the Plains " about eight miles, and the run from the port by rail will not be in vain, if the traveller only keeps bis e&rs and eyes open. Fine houses, and fine paddocks well clad with cattle and sheep, greet tk? eye now and then. A considerable section of this line consists of a tunnel. The lamps are always kept lighted. Lyttelton is beautifully situated on a hill overlooking the harbor. Its importance consists in its fine, harbor where ships of any burden may lie at anchor. It has also got a splendid railway station, audit is worthy of note that the town is lighted with tbe electric light. Christchurcb is a fine city, though, at first impression, a traveller might feel rather disappointed owing to its situation on a vast plain. It is situated on the River Avon, has a fine cathedral and several church-buildings, a lovely park (Hagley Park), a splendid museum, and many promising places Of business. Trama traverse the streets in all direc tions, and numerous 'buses and cabs ply everlastingly from place to place. While the pas* | sengers were regaling themselves on shore, Che Manapouri was busily discharging and taking in cargo, and the quantity "put through" speaks highly for the'commercial position of the Colony. We left Lyftelton about 6.30 p.m., our next port of call beiug Wellington, The folio-wing morning dawned clear and bright, the night before being very beautiful. At six o'clock a.m., we passed through the well-known Cook's Strait, which separates the North and South Islands. Three hours later the rugged outline of the South Island began to disappear on our left, while to our right rose Cape Palliser and the heads of Wellington. Here is a conspicuous lighthouse, reminding one very forcibly of those of the Home Country. Several were passed along the east coast of the South Island, but some scarcely resembled, however well they might do the duty of, a lighthouse. Wellington waa reached about nineja.m., and we remained there till six p.m. This city, lam informed, is remarkable for its high winds, though I must admit that on the day of ray visit the weather was quite the revcr3ej being very calm. The " Empire City " has recently been, described in your paper' 1 ; so I need Jiot dwell upon it. Its population is. about 20,563, and tbe buildings are mainly wooden ones. The place being subject to earthquakes, brick or stone would'be likely to be razed to the ground. There are several places of iuterest and importance. I bad a good view of the Governor's residence. It is guarded at the

gate'by a sentinel with carbine' unslung. Not far from the residence of the Governor is situated the Colonial Museum, which contains many Maori curiosities, but in other respects is not so good as Dsnedin or Chris'cuurch Museum-. Having "done" the museum, 1 uext wended my way to the House of Parliament. Here, through the courtesy and kindness of a membrr, I was conduoted — first, to tbe House of Representatives, or Lower House, where I saw tbe Speaker's chair, the strangers' and reporters' galleries and the various seats allotted to the M.H.R'.s, Next I was shown tbe lobby ; thm> tne Legislative Council or Upper House. This room is gorgeously fitted-up for comfort and ease. Finally, I was taken to the library, where a miscellaneous collection of newspapers and books are to be found. The next building thnt attracts one's notice is the offices of the Government Department. This building is a remarkably large wooden one — the largest in the Colonies. There are also several churohes and public buildings. The gardens are not of much moment, and on the occasion of ray visit, the flowers and trees looked bare. Having satisfied myself as to sight-seeing, I felt a desire for dinner, and had a very good meal in one of the hotels for a reasonable sum. Our next place of call was Napier, which was reached abont 10 a.m. Napier is the chief town of Hawkes Bay. Its population is about 5,756, and it is situated an a paninguk formerly known as Scinde Inland at the mouth of the Rivers Esk and Tutaekuri. It lies 200 miles N. E. by sea from Wellington, aud 370 miles SE. from Auckland. Its gi catcst drawback is its poor harbor. Our steamer was unable to get up to the bat bor, but boats and lighters came out and took in cargr, We left Napier about five p.m. anrl next reached Gisborne, about. 250 miles from Auckland. This town (not so large as Milton or Lawrence) is situated on Poverty Bay. It is a straggling and irregularly built town. Trees grow here and there in the streets and some* what relieve the monotony of the place. We next set out for Auckland which we reached about nine on the following morning. In my next I will give an account of Auckland city and that part of the district which has come more immediately under my notice.