FROM AUCKLAND TO GISBORNE, COASTWISE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 341, 22 August 1889, Page 3

FROM AUCKLAND TO GISBORNE, COASTWISE.

[BY “ NARRATOR.*’] PART VI. U," to land, and “ awe,” quickly, improved . into “Uawa,” which is not cacophonous. I Taraki (tbe east wind) corrupted into Tolaga, or Tolago which is; either, or both, signify a settlement and river next in order along the Coast, dignified or otherwise according to opinion with the appellation of “ Howiok ” of the South. It may be described as a village which has a future before it, which is form Bate inasmuch as its antecedents are—well, the reverse of blissful, Tolago Bay formerly boasted three pubs; now it is sometimes credited with supporting two. There is a single store (in the township proper), the proprietor of which, however, has made his pile, and knows it. He charges the good old prices, and, as for competition, just tells competitors to “ come on." Several have come on, and gene off again, eadder and wiser men. If I were a capitalist, I should not invest money in Tolago Bay; not, at all events till the future before spoken of has evolved itself out of the Tauwhareparse Block, or the sweet by and-bye. Uawa proper, since the collapse of the Glasgow Bank some twenty years ago, and subsequent all bnt extinguishment of the k Wbarekaka station, seems to have been more K er less under a financial cloud (',e., the bnsi- . ness portion of it), sometimes irradiated by a gleam from an occasional Land Court session; but of late the neighbourhood has been sparsely peopled by a few confiding agriculturists, sheep farmers, 4c., who no doubt will realise fortunes—or their position, sooner or later, according to their ability to part, and possession of the needful to part with. The iohabitants of Tolago Bay, with some exceptions, are phenomenally fond of law, Sometimes they litigate in couples, occasionally all hands and the cook have a wire in promiscous x like. Narrator remembers once, much \against his inclination, being compelled to f>ke a slight, very slight, part in one of, these foiTensic exarcerbations. One gentleman another about the trespass of Borne .ike matter, during which a lamb ~ accidentally or otherwise, I never knew which, by the defendant. Two and six pence I suppose would be the outside value of the animal, but the ever prevailing proclivity of the Tolagotes must be satisfied, An B.M, MM opened the campaign, which ultimately ” culminated in the Supreme Court, by the Grand Jury throwing out the bill. Narrator’s evidence wasn't wanted, but he got his expenses, and so did the lawrers— rather I— to the tuna of some £7O to £BO, from each of the litigants, I believe. Meanwhile affairs at Tolago reverted naturally to their italue ante juo, but I don’t think the contestants again triad the glorious uncertainty of law. I once saw a cartoon in Punch, ever so long ago, which was singularly appropriate to this - episode, Two stout farmers of the real John Bull type were striving vi et amnie for the possession of a eow. One grappled it by the horns, and pulled his way as hard as he could, while the othgr tugged manfully away at the tail, in his dirce'ion ; the unfortunate cow, with open mouth and protruding tongue, apparently not enjoying the process. Between the two sat a gentleman of the long robe, on a stool, busily engaged in milking the much enduring quadruped, and apparently fully appreciating the situation. I have hitherto presented only the seamy side of Tolago Bay to your editorial vision. I may now remark that there are many moat estimable, kind, and gallant people there—as has been often proved in situations of no little distress, danger, and excitement on the dangerous coast. Among these may be mentioned Sergeant Stagpoole, whose bravery in saving a Maori from drowning has met with due recognition from the public; and Mr Henry Glover, whose equally gallant behavior on several occasions, has not. Mr Glover on one occasion rendered such effectual aid to one of the Australia’s boats when in a position of no small peril, that the Company presented with a valuable gold ring, suitably as a slight recognition of his :^?^®fc£rTice3_b - T the hands of Captain And during the melancholy e K' l ’ l family, when some five drowned, he also behaved very ■Puantly. Narrator takes this opportunity ’ of making the amende honorable to Mr H. Glover for a former mis-statement made under his (Narrator’s) signature in the Family Friend, an Auckland literary weekly, wherein the subject has been formerly alluded to. I have positively nothing to say about Cook's Cove, the show place of Uawa. Too much has been said about it already, and I suppose " A Tramp, Esq.,” '--Will be presenting the mouldy old fraud to us freshly embellished shortly. Want of space also compels me to pass by in admiring silence, other “ men‘of the time ” who can scarcely be denominated coves.” The brisk little eeltio warrior, who is said to resemble "our only General” for instance; the Hons. Hy. Pei, Tikera, and others. The teeming millions of the "coming race,” alluded to by Bulwer Lytton, and Sir G. Grey, will pardon me the omission, perhaps (?) Weighing our anchor once more, and for the last time during this passage, prior to arrival at Gisborne, we pass in succession Puatae, the late residence of A. McDonald Esq., than whom a better, kinder hearted, imprudent, good fellow (which after all is only another name for a fool) never existed; and coast along past Mr Seymour’s much litigated, and hospitable homestead and sheep run, peat Gable End Foreland, and so off the entrance to your river. The tide suiting, we run in St once, with a fair wind, and anchoring at the quay, as usual, proceed to furbish up a little previous to going on shore. This be Ing accomplished, accompanied by my Auckland friend, who the reader will observe has had mighty little to say hitherto, we make observant progress up the Gladstone Boad. and have a drink,” quoth my long mfeent friend (who had brightened up considerably at the nearer presence of decent tipple) as we passed an ancient institution commanding a view of the Turanganui and the Bay'; " and some oysters,” but we amb]ed up to genial " Jack’s ” of the 'Albion, where in foaming tankard, of the ell pervading Crawford’s XXXX, we drank success to the good ship " Gisborne," her officers and crew,—and later on, "when beards wagged all”— " Prosperity to Waiapu County." (runs.)