WAYSIDE JOTTINGS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 7326, 29 January 1891, Page 2

WAYSIDE JOTTINGS.

(By Our Travelling Commissioner). January 27. Leaving Huntorville, I proceeded through tha Poukctiore settlement, and found the country growing more broken, the nearer I approached towards Taupo. The land, however, was all of excellent quality, and splendidly adapted for sheep-grazing. As a proof oE the opening it affords for a man of small means, I may oito the following case : A settler informed mo that three years ago ho took up a farm of 150 acres on doforrcd payment. At the time, he was entirely without means, but has managed to keep himself, pay off his calls and improve his farm to the value of £200. L»st year he bought Eome ewes to the value of £20, and this year has netted from them in lambs and wool £30, leaving himself with his original stock and £10 clear. As I proceeded on my journey, the farm-houees gradually grew smaller and less pretentious, finally giving way entiroly to the humble | wharo, and even more pritnitivo tent. Here tho scene resembled somewhat the early days of a diggings, the ring of the axe, the tents lit up at night, the rollicking songs of the pioneers of the forest, and their joound laugdß and shouts. I wa» hospitably entertained and given a bush " Bhake-down " by Mr Allen Beech in his commodious whare, The arthitect and bnildir of thii edifice appeared to have mado ventilation one of the strong points and main features in the construction of tho building, the arrangements for fresh currents of air being simply perfect. Openings had also boon cunningly and ingeniously effected, by means of which the occupant could study astronomy in any desired direction. It was bore that I made the acquaintance of Mr Wyche, or, as he is better known, " the Porewa Poet." This gentleman possesses a magnificent baritone voice of the highest range and compass, and he ia oiten heard carolling out his own productions at a distance of two miles. In addition to being a firat-olass poet, Mr Wyche is also a mochanical genius, and is the author of several clever and novel inventions. One is a patent stirrup leather that becomes detached from tho saddle the instant the rider is thrown. I saw the invention, and it acts perfectly, obviating all danger of being dragged. He has also made a model of a sheep-shearing machine, which is simplicity and cheapness itself. Mr Wyche unfortunately has not the means to push his invrntionj, but I am aure it would be a good speculation for anyone to take him in hand, and give him an opportunity of perfecting his inventiona and bringing them before the notice of the world. In as also much indebted during my trip to Mr Lane, who aoted the part of guide, and showed me tho country. There are a number of young men up this settlement, five strapping young follows, who are engaged in carving out futuro homes for themselves in the rude forest, 'ihey complain greatly, however, of the impossibility o£ procuring suitable fair helpmeets to share with them in their trials and straggles, and by their attractive presence to lighten their labours, as well as brighten up their rude homen.ard throw a domestic halo of happinossaroundtheirat present joyless surroundings. I promised to do the best for them iv the matter, and as they said they were nut particular as to beauty, and that in fact almost at)} thing white would be acceptable, thero Bhould be no difficulty in meeting their requirements, if once their wants wore mado known. A party of six were just about starting on a trip to tho Hot Lakes. They wero taking packing horses, with tents, blankets, and provisions, and expected to return in a fortnight. I had roluctantly to declino an invitation to accompany them, but have promised another expedition, that is to start about the Bame time next year, to mako one of tho party if possible, and write up a description of the trip, they having generously offered to attend to all lny personal requisites.

Having finished my inspection of this part of the district, I left Hunterville and paid a visit to Rata. This is not a township, but has a considerable population owing to two sawmills being located in the vicinity. These are run by Messrs Bailey and Cornfoofc, and Mr Bell, and appear to be kept hard at work to moot the demands made upon them. Ono great cause of complaint is the want of proper railway accommodation, the station yards greatly needing enlarging, and trucks are often blocked up, causing much delay and inconvenience. Amongst tho mill hands can be found all sortß and conditions of men, representatives of every class, from nobility downwards, being met with in this small but varied community. One of the most popular of th«se appeared to be Mr Charioy Ainsworth who, with true Christian charity, aeeing that I was itrsnjar, took me in. Mr Aimworfci is underttood to be a distant connection of the celebrated novelist of that name, but, as Charioy remarked, the connection is so remote that it ami icorth talking about. There appeared to be a large amount of timber in the vicinity of the mills, totara being largely represented, and it is calculated that the supply is sufficient to last lot another ten years. Returning to Marton I visited on my way the homestead of Mr John Nisbet, and although a perfect stranger reeeivad a cordial welcome, and an invitation from the family to make their house my quarters at any time I might find it convenient during my travels. It is meeting with such kind and gonerous traits as these that lightens my wanderings and give» me a higher conception and estimation of my fellow beings. Reaching Marton, I attended to the requirements of Iho Bronco, and refreshed mvsolf generally at the ho3telry of Host Thurston, who sinoe my lato veferercnes to him hna beoome quite a marked man, and evinces his gratitude by sundry pressing invitations to sample the contents of his bar, as well as by spreading the fame md growing reputation of tho journals I represent. Being at Marton reminds me that I made a slight mistake in referring to Mrs JlcCorby as the authoress of a new operetta that is shortly to be produced ; it should have been Mra McAllay. Tho uamo of the now pieco if " A May Day'ij Frolic," but, unfortunately, owing to the indisposition of tho authoress, its production has boen unavoidably postponed.

Leaving Marton, I headod the Bronco for the Rangitikei River, and reached the homestead of Mr George Signal in time to receive an invitation for the mid-day refreshment, This gentloman hai a pretty farm on tho nver flats, and kindly furnished me with directions as to my futurn rovte, besides rendering me othor signal Bervice. Crossing tho Onopuhi bridge, I found myself for the first time on the other side of the Rangitikei River. Here I found n large Maori settlement, with a number of whares extending a considerable distance up tho road. The most conspicuous object was a large meeting house, which appeared to have been newly erected as it was gaudy with fresh paint, and was carved and decorated in the most approved Hauhau style. Grotesque figures, representing a hideous speoieß of humanity, with largo heads, and tongues protruding a foot lp length, glaring eyeballs, and shrunken distoited linibs, adorned the verandah posts and frontags of tho building. Tho settlement, however, appeared to bo deserted, and, on inquiring the renson, I was informed that the Maori! weru holding a meeting at another settlement called W.utuna, about a mile and a hiiU finthor up tho rivor, the attraction boing a prophet from Nupier, who was bolding out the usual bait in tho way of lavish promises of good things to come in return for the immediate benefits that ho derived from their ignorance and credulity. Prompted by curiosity to behold (his groat personage, I made my way up tho ii\er, aud reaching tho Ininga, found about fcno hundred Maories assembled, amongst whom were many noto.l personages. The prophet, who rejoiced in the appellation of William Shields, was holding forth in tho usual vehement and gesticulative style, foretelling all kinds of wondrous things that were to como to pass ; premising amongst other marvels that he would eauße the pigeons to, como down fron the high trees and roost in tho low scrub, so that his followers would be enabled to pick them off the bushes like blackberries. The scene was a novel and striking one, the men lounging and squatting on the grass; the women busy around,

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the fires, preparing the dainties for the feast that vms being hold in honor of ths occasion, and dressed in their best and moat gaudy raiment. Haviug satisfied my curiosity, I Bet about retracing my steps, and, reaching tho river at the rear of tho pah, paused to afford tho Bronco an opportunity of slaking his thirst. It was whilst thus engaged that three Maori damsels approached. I was at onco greatly struck by tbc beauty and natuial symmetry of their features and figures, and the gay picturcsquo appcaranco of tho 0 single loose garments that clothed their forms. Approaching close to the snot where I sat awaiting tho termination of the Bronco's carousal, they halted and stood apparently pensively gazing into th» limpid depths of tho clear stream. As my admiring eye was taking in the varied charms and outlines of their figures, a slight tremor seemed to pass over the frame of the foremost one, the sleeves of her loose gown appeared to contract and haDg limp as though denuded of their occupants, then the hnndß protruded over tho head, and in an instant the garment had slipped from her shoulders, and she atood revealed in all the unadorned loveliness of a dusky Venus. Again raising her hands above her head, she sprang from the bank, and taking an approved header, disappeared beneath the surface of the rippling waters. Beforo I could recover from my astonishment, tho other two had disrobed in tho same simple and expeditious manner, and followed the lead of the other Naiad. It ia unnecessary to say that my innato modesty and sensitivo delicacy of feeling, received a rude shock, and hastily gathering up the reins, I turned tho Bronco's Bead, and vigorously applying the propellers, galloped off as rapidly as possiblo in the opposite direction, being anxiou3 to become as far removed na quickly as possiblo from temptation, and dreading tho risk of incurring the same fate as befell that historical and famous personage, commonly known as "Peeping Tom," when subjoct to a similar ordeal. Tho recalling of thia distressing incident has co disturbed my natural calmness and equanimity, that I feel quite unable to proceed with a f urtlier description of my travels and adventures, and inuit therefore defer further partioulars until my next, when I trust to have regained my usual serenity and composure. Mabksman.