The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-07-11
INTO THE SOUTHERN SEAS.

INTO THE SOUTHERN SEAS.
Burial in the Deep.-AustraIian Scenes -
City of Melbourne and Its PeOple.-New
Zealand and native Sights,-The Maori
ESPECIAL CoRREsPoNDENcE.l
WELLINGTON, New Zealand. Before
entering the southern seas on our home
ward voyage, l was transferred from
the Juniata to the Enterprise in order to
complete the circuit of the globe, the
former vessel setting sail for New York
by the way of the Cape of Good Hope,
and the latter going in the opposite di-
rection by the way of Australia and
Cape Horn. In the intense heat and
against strong headwinds we made
fair progress down the seas, directing
our course toward the port of Albany on
the southwestern coast of Australia.
On the way occurred the first death on
shipboard, that of faithful sailor after
brief illness. According to custom the
body was sewed up in hammock, with
shot at his feet, and dropped over the
starboard gangway to his last resting
place in the waters of the Indian Ocean,
which at that point had depth of
thirty-three hundred fathoms, or nearly
four miles.
Our arrival at albany after a long sail,
was delightful experience, an agree
able change to us, who for the past two
years had been in lands among various
ly colored peoples, and had seen but few
forms of our own civilization, The
place presents every appearance of an
American country town, whose
people belong to our own race, sp' ak
our language and observe our customs.
Very little business is done here apart
from the trade in wool and sandal-wood
which are exported in large quantities.
The country round about, with good
climate and favorable conditions, is well
suited to sheep-raising, an industry to
which the people seem devot d and in
which they prosper. Nothing else is
grown, nothing manufactured in all the
provinces, whose inhabitants depend
upon the importations from other lands
for the common necessaries of life.
For the first time in six months our
sailors were allowed to go ashore, and as
a result IN the Australian ports num-
Der of them failed to return to the ship,
presumably taking French leave with
the hopes of bettering their condition,
mode of departure which it is necessary
for a man-of-war to guard against, for
Jackey sometimes has insuperable
yearnings for land. Our servants also
were source of annoyance to us, for
we were compelled to exchange our
Chinese, who had served us well 30 long,
for such cooks and attendants as we
could pick up in port, many of whom
were Inefficient and untrustworthy.
A run along the southern shores of the
island continent brought US to the large
and magnificent harbor of Melbourne,
capable of anchoring the navies of the
world, being in size a small sea, in
which during stormy weather the
lighter craft fare badly. We dropped
anchor just off a landing place two miles
or more from the city, which was easily
reached by half-hourly trains. Mel
bourne is beautiful city, the capital of
Victoria, with broad and well paved
streets that are lined with magnificent
buildings and handsome residences.
The museum, geological and botanical
gardens are objects of local pride and Of
especial interest. The city hall, an ele-
giant building, contains one of the larg
est organs in the world, upon which
several recitals are given each week to
the public. The population is cosmo.
pol.tan, and in modes of living and
amusements the people do not differ
from those of our own cities, except in
the fact that they are more devoted to
out door exercise and athletics.
The visit of an American man-of war
is thing 80 rare in Australia that the
most flattering attention was paid to us
while in port. Our vessel swarmed
with sight-seers and visitors. Every.
where we were received and entertained
right royalty. Invitations to balls, din
ners, lunches and drives poured in upon
us so thickly that the sheer lack of time
often compelled us TO deny ourselves
the proffered hospitality. The first ball
which we attended on the second day
after our arrival, was given by the
mayor in the city hall, and was bril-
liant affair. Beautiful women and
charming dancers thronged the place
and made bright scene IN Australian
society. We remained until the small
hours of the morning, bearing away
with US the most favorable impressions
of Melbourne and its people, This was
but the forerunner of a month of un.
ceasing gayety and pleasure. during
which we formed many agreeable asso-
Citations and acquainlances
A wholesome sporting sentiment pre-
dominates among all classes. Horse
races are of universal interest, and all
who are able to raise pound sterling
will risk it on the result. The race track
is one of the finest in the world, over
which many good horses are run every
year. On one of the gala days we at.
tended a race in which twenty-five
horses we're entered, all of whom except
one came in at the finish, having run
two and half miles, and leaped six
teen hurdles, some Of which were over
four feet high. 1t was beautiful sight
intensely exciting and thrilling. Base
ball and cricket are favorite games in the
field. During our stay native club
challenged the officers of the ship to a
game of ball, and despite their professed
skill were. beaten by their American
guests.
A few miles in the interior we came
upon Ballarat, at one time the centre of
the great gold fields. in the vicinity OF
Il oO VIC oiih oO &c
nuggets of the precious metal were
formerly found. The whole surround
ing country has been dug over by alu-
vial mines, which are now exhausted.
Many placer mines are in operation,
from some of which very meagre re-
turns are made. visited the so called
Last Chance mine, which consists of a
net work of dark muddy tunnels, in
which gangs of men were at work pick
ing at the rock that crumbles away very
easily. At Ballarat the largest nugget
of gold ever discovered was found
weighing over two hundred pounds, val
ued at fifty thousand dollars. About
Melbourne is fine grazing country, and
the people are prosperous and seem 10 be
constantly employed. The building Of
ships and locomotives IS an extensive
and growing industry. The streets of
the city are free of beggars and idlers
who infest all oriental lands.
Sailing eastward from Melbourne for
several days, we arrived at the city Of
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand
situated at the head of beautiful bay on
the lower side of the northernmost
island. 1t is pretty town, and stands
at the foot of the high hills that form
a richly wooded background, and par
TALLY break the force of the constantly
prevailing winds, Owing tu the earth