The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-08-11

Many fertile valleys
penetrate the forests !;
and timbered mountains rise IL every direc-
tion. Some lofty peaks soar into the heavens,
and stand as prominent landmarks on the
South Pacific. Mount Egmont rises to hight
of $500 feet on the west coast. and is the first
spur of New Zealand seen on the voyage from
Australia.
In the center of the island the snow-capped
crater of Ruapehu thrusts its cone 5000 feet in
the sky. and eastward the pyramidal dome OF
Tongarriro volcano rears Its smoke STACK "
$500 feet. The two mountains have symmetri.
cal outlines and are imposing peaks. Their
forms are visible for many miles on the ocean
when-to the Californian voyager-the island
has disappeared in the waves.
The irst white settlement was formed in
1920 around the shores of the Bay OF Islands,
on the north end of the island.
Whales frequently enter this coast, and the
bay became noted whaling port for American
and English whaling ships.
commercial station was also established,
stores opened. and q trade developed among
the native Maoris.
The rich soil for grain culture, the luxuriant
pastures for grazing cattle and sheep, the fine
forests of lumber, and the seductive climate
attracted many British emigrants to seek
homes in New Zealand.
New settlements were formed in the valleys
and villages erected on the bays.
In 1852 an English colony was organized in
New Zealand and Colonial Government
formed.
Auckland was made the Capital of the Colony
and the residence of the Governor.
Parliament House, with tasteful grounds,
was constructed on a commanding hilltop.
The machinery of legislation was put in
motion. The Colony fourished and population
increased. The Capital grew into a city of
$4,000 people.
1t is now surrounded with many suburban
villages, has two daily papers and an Opera
House. It is the head of q railroad that ex-
tends through the island.
The port is shipping center for the towns
on both coasts of the other islands, and is
crowded with steamers and schooners It is
also mart for the Polynesian archipelagoes,
and carries on an extensive trade with the
South Sea Islands. Every day schooners from
| the Fills the Samoan, the Friendly. and the So
ciety Islands may be seen unloading cargoes of
cocoanuts. bananas oranges, lemons, and other
| tropical fruits.
The Californian and Australian mail steam
ers. en- route across the ocean, stop at Auckland
twice q month The port is always full OF
ships. and the place has large commerce and
| is in q prosperous condition.
| The harbor is large aud long, extending In.
| land for several miles. and surrounded with
sloping and timbered hills; on its ample waters
the ships of the world would ride at anchor.
A dockyard is operated at the port for re-
pairing vessels for cruises to India, China,
Australia. South America and Europe. The
city is built over rising hills along the bay side.
Queen street. the principal commercial
thoroughfare, on which the stores are situated,
extends from the waterfront on straight line
for three miles, aud divides the city into
halves.
The wholesale and shipping houses are
located along the head of the street near the
wharves, and the lower end devoted TO retail
establishments.
ridge, beyond the commercial blocks. is
covered with private residences, and its brow
bristles with the spires of churches
The houses extend down to the water-side
and front the bay for three miles along the
bluffs The architecture of the bouses is oil
British style, and the English villas look quaint
to the American tourist.
The location is picturesque. The water
views on the bay are charming, and resemble
the waterfront at Montreal. Canada.
The surface of the bay is as blue as indigo,
and dotted with islands covered with trees.
| The bay view Of Auck land is indeed a bouquet
Of scenic beauty, and presents picture that
never fades from the memory.
| The surroundings also of diversified and
| attractive scenery. Whatever way the eye
! turns il rests grand old monntains, sleeping &
in the haze of the distance, and extending their
ranges away until lost in the south.
Craters rise in eastern subGrbs, and Rangi-
| toto guards the entrance to the harbor. The
! craters command an outlook over the city aud
the bay.
ascended the extinct cone of Mount Eden,
and fine panorama repaid the climb.
| The city was spread out in squares below.
! The bay lay like sheet of glass between it's
wooded shores, with its waters spotted with
| lie hptt kr ond dot fta,s
| the landscape, and beyond stretched the waves
| of the ocean.
| Over all bent the deep-b blue skies of New
| Zealand, into whose clear azure depths it was
refreshing to gaze.
For two months in the year the sky on this
island is covered with clouds. The rains fall
| in Winter; then for eight weeks the heavens
are draped in black.
| The rains descend day and night without
ceasing. The atmosphere is charged with moist.
| ure, the earth is flooded with water. tho streams
overflow, the valleys are covered, and the
mountains roar with falls; the streets pour
with torrents, and outdoor work is suspended
The pate, of the rains on the roofs tho down.
pour of the showers without, and the black
folds of the clouds overhead present picture oi
gloom and depression that almost browns The
elasticity of English temperament; but the
| New Zealanders expect ..iese rains, have en-.
durcd them many Winters and are prepared
for unwelcome freshets.
The drenching rains and damp atmosphere
produce plenty of rheumatism, and colds and
bronchial troubles are prevalent.
When the Winter rains are over the cloud:
roll up their curtains and disappear over the
ocean, and leave the armament an arch O.
heavens richest hues
The Winters extend from November to Jan
uary.
The mean annual temperature is $40.
Extreme cold weather Is not known, and ict
and frost or snow is seldom seen at Auckland.
New Zealand although afflicted with un
pleasant Winter, has model Summer climate
Even in the midst of ths worlds hot season
the nights and days are comparatively cool and
pleasant, and strong sea- breezes fan the shores
The Island has northern pont-for l0(
miles-a narrow peninsula, from 10 to Is mile,
in breath, extending into sea.
The end of the peninsula reaches up int
the semi tr9pics an along it's bay sides and tn,
banks of its streams grow cocoauut trees, thick
rind oranges and lemons.
The emi-tr0pic fruits are inferior in quality
| and have but little demand.
The entire Colong is an inferior fruit country
The climate, presume, is too Camp for irnit
to develop and mellow their juices. Nelson
however, on the west coast of the South Island