OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue II, 9 January 1904, Page 55

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

A MONTH WITH A SURVEY PARTY IN THE PIRONGIA DISTRICT-

(By

David Smith.)

The joy, the delight of a mouth’s holiday in the country is not excelled by the pleasure of the school boy, with his bag <>f books bounding out of school on vacation day. To be relieved of the dreary and monotonous desk life, catch a train, aud be whirled away from town, a transformation as it were, from dust, ■moke and bustle io a perennial paradise of sunshine and pure air, refreshing the fagged out constitution like a rejuvenating elixir; to join a party of young fellows full of animation and manly vigour, characteristic of country life; to forget figures, accounts, ledgers, and leave the big world behind and throw yourself into the vortex of eamp life for a month is an ideal holiday; a pleasure undreamed of by those unacquainted with a survey camp. Awake with the morning larks' song, refreshed by nature’s sweetest balm—a good night’s slumber—fitting one to undertake the burden of a heavy day without fatigue, and rolling between the blankets as the last expiring ember of the log fire gradually dies away in the dim recesses of night, makes one sigh and long for the quiet and peace of the bush after returning to civilisation. Hamilton being my headquarters, I arrived there and found my genial companion the surveyor with whose party I was to spend such a pleasant time. Hamilton is one of the most eharming spots in New Zealand. With a rapidly increasing population, and the completion of the Main Trunk railway, I venture to predict it will bo the largest and most, important inland town of the Northern district. Three days sojourn there, and then a move for camp next day. Up with the morning sun peeping from the cast, and commencing to shed its golden rays on the dewladen and glistening grass. Hamilton town wrapped in slumber we proceeded on our journey of 27 miles to camp—2o to ride, the remainder to shoulder our ewags and tramp. The ride of 20 miles was glorious ''among the gleaming grass,” as we wandered on. but the tramp, it seemed 50 instead of seven miles. With a pleasant companion, however, time swiftly ran and camp hove in sight as hunger was beginning to lay siege to my already tired system. The cook', with whom I became fast friends, soon appeased the necessity. and I felt greatly relieved and refreshed. Well, the camp was pitched on a charming and delightful spot; situated on the banks of the Kaniwhan! Wha, a typical New Zealand river whose rippling waters and overhanging willows recalled to mind the Waihou. With dusk approaching, the party rolled into the blankets for the night, but my slumbers were greatly disturbed by the myriads of mosquitos hovering around my head looking for my blood. Having satiated themselves. I was troubled very little by them for the remainder of my stay- Two d >ys flitted by pleasantly on this spot, vUien orders were givsn to make a shift for the flying camp, a further distance of nine miles, through dense bush and scrub — a heavy journey to one unused to bush life, but Ry this time I was becoming hardened, and therefore not so prone to exhaustion. It is termed a flying camp because of its mobility to be removed over rough country. It was situated about 2000 ft above sea-level, but was not so congenial a place as the main camp. Still I -was enjoying the outing and was thoroughly at home. Our party at this juncture was increased, and now numbered seven, and real good hearty fellows they wore. Next morning I was out with them on the lines armed with a bowie knife and bill hook, cutting our way through bush and jfenib and crossing innumerable creeks trying to discover the remnants of a survey completed 40 years ago. It ■was a tough job, but I stuck to it. The cry, "Dinner ho,” resounded through the bush as sweetly as a clarion note, •nd I gladly welcomed it. The “billy” was swung under a huge rata and boiling in no time, and I might say that things for a quarter of an hour were very quiet amongst US. A short spell, •nd then work was continued towards mndown when a shout of “Pig hunt” •cached our cars, and off we went Belter skelter, mon and dogs, in hot fprsuit. He was a game ’un, and

gave us a good run for his hide, but we boon found him bailed up by two of our dogs, and “porker” was quickly despatched and brought back to camp, which we reached as evening was closing, and the smell of cooking was wafted on the breeze to us- We soon discovered cook had made a “plum duff,” and that duff got three hearty cheers and was made as welcome as the flowers in spring. A duff is a bush luxury, and all heartily enjoyed it. Tea finished we curled ourselves up on some scrub close to the camp fire. The thickening shadows of night gathered round us, and save for the cry of the morepork, a death-like stillness reigned supreme. The sombre grandeur of the primeval night bound forest gloated over by a summer moon with the soft sigh of the breeze through the trees only added to its weirdness, but the merry voices of my comrades recalled me from dreamland and cards. Song and story were indulged in until drowsiness stealthily crept upon us and we turned in for the night. Several days were- spent at this camp following the general routine of survey work. On the coming Sunday it was arranged that the party should go on a shooting expedition, and on the Saturday afternoon preceding the Sunday great preparations were made for the morrow, and all looked forward with pleasant anticipation of obtaining an enjoyable day’s sport. The sun rose on a clear and cloudless day. It was perfect. With.youth and strength one could not feel happier. We boiled the "billy,” swallowed our breakfast and started. Five miles to the north of the camp lay a dense thicket, the resort of wild pigeon’s and pheasants. Wild pigs and cattle were also plentiful. On our way thither we came upon a “shaggery,” where hundreds of these birds had built their nests, and were sporting in the sparkling waters below with their young. They created a deafening noise when we drew near. So terrific we could hardly hear each other speak. This possibly was to show their indignation at our approach and disturbing their retreat- Two fell victims to the gun, the report of which was the signal for instant flight. Remarkable was the rapidity with which they disappeared. Some took to flight; others fled into the rushes decking the river bank, and many dived beneath the water terror-stricken. A moment before the river was a mass of floating life; now it, had all vanished as if by the flourish of a magic wand. , We proceeded on our journey, and had traversed a considerable portion of rough and broken country, and had just reached a piece of open country when the dogs disturbed the. solitude of a large boar. We gave chase, and soon overhauled him at bay in a formidable fighting attitude. As soon as we closed on him he made a desperatp rush to reach the scrub just behind me. I fired, but missed him, and the cry “run” reaching my ears I turned and fled for the nearest tree, up which I scrambled just as the „oar dashed past, with the dogs almost hanging on to him. My friends would have shot at him, but, seeing that I was directly in front, recognised my danger. We soon followed in his tracks, and cornered him onco more. This time the dogs had all the best of the tussle. Father “Porker” was completely worn out by his rapid flight, and the dogs rolled him over and over, but. still he made one or two desperate but fruitless endeavours to effectively use his tusks on them. They, however, were too quick for - him, and speedily got out of reach. Further time was not wasted, aud one of the party stole quietly behind the beast and quickly despatched him. He was a fine big fellow, and must have weighed three or four hundredweight. Just as we were partaking of a cool and refreshing drink from the rata vine a rustling noise was heard in the rear, and a sow rushed into our midst, catching and lipping up one of the dogs in its course, and then disappearing into the thicket. So sudden and unexpected was the thing done that wc could scarcely believe our eyes. However, the yelping of the poor brute who lay disabled on the grass recalled us, and we hurried over to the. spot, but found that we could do nothing, for the helpless creature was mortally injured, and was moaning piteously, so we relieved its agony by shooting it. The loss of this animal somewhat interfered with the enjoyment of the day. The dog was a valuable one, and. had been attached to the party for some considerable time. We pushed on for another half an hour, and then unshouldered our haversacks and had dinner. The repast was soon finished, a short interval for a pull at the pipe, and we once mor*

resumed our journey. We had hardly entered the thicket when one of the party espied a brace of pheasants, which brought us to a standstill. Crack went the rifle, and one of them fell. The report of the rifle disturbed a flock of pigeons immediately ahead, but we soon overtook them by proceeding very cautiously, and soon we bagged a dozen. Further on a flock of turkeys came in view, and quietly we crept towards them, but unfortunately in my eagerness to obtain a good shot my foot caught in a creeper, precipitating me to the ground. My gun going off in the fall frightened the turkeys, who instantly took wing. Though several shots rang out, we only succeeded in bringing down a couple, du-j no doubt to the density of the bush, which by this time we had almost traversed; aud, feeling we had secured sufficient game for one day we were retracing our steps when some distance to the left we heard the dogs barking. Proceeding in that direction a short cut was made for open ground, which we reached, and found the dogs surrounding a young bull. Seeing us approach he made a rush at us, and then there was a run for the nearest trees, up which we scrambled like squirrels with the exception of one of the party, an old and experienced bushman, who dodged behind a rata. The bull, observing him, followed, and we had an enjoyable quarter of an hour watching the beast making fruitless efforts to reach our companion, who now and again stabbed him in the neck with his bowie knife. This enraged the bull, who roared and bellowed and rushed at the tree, but without avail. From the constant attacks of the dogs and the loss of blood he tired rapidly, and the bushman soon mastered him and severed his jugular vein. The day Was now drawing towards evening, and we wanted to reach camp before dusk, so knives were brought into requisition, and the bull was relieved of his hide. Haden with game, we reached eamp, tired but quite satisfied with our day’s sport. Soon the billy was boiling. Tea over, we rolled into our blankets to sleep the sleep that knows no waking until the rise of the morrow's sun. The next day we packed up and returned to the main camp, where I spent the remainder of my holiday, staying there until the time arrived for my departure for Auckland. The days that were left were spent in fishing and sporting on the Kaniwhani wha River. All good things must have an ending, and it was with feelings of regret that I rolled up my swag and bade adieu to the fine fellows who had been my comrades for the month—companions of toil and enjoyment, who had assisted me to spend a delightful month which fond memory will ever recall as one of the happiest periods of my life. As I left the camp with the chief, I eould not help looking back and wondering whether I should ever see their faces again and shake them by the hand. Well, who knows? Time will only reveal the truth thereof. I can only thank them for the many kindnesses, and the chief for his inestimable goodness, the remembrance of which shall be evergreen. I spent a night in Hamilton, and the next morning left for Auckland, feeling ever so much stronger and better foi- my stay in the country.