Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-19
AMONG THE MAORIS.
A HOLIDAY STORY OF NEW ZEALAND
 LIFE.

LIFE.
 An Exciting Journey Through the Home
 of the cannihals-A s4.rp Engagement
 and 8 ToFt,,aate Rescue -A Merry Christ
 mas I>ay ss Auckland.
 Tt takes people from north of the equator long time to get accustomed to the great difference in the seasons one finds iii Australasia, and partieu- larly here in tho upper island of New Zealand, where the climate is much ike that of your gulf states.
 That is what Sir George Grey, ex- governor of New Zealand, said to mo at Auckland some years ago.
 It was nearing tho Christmas holi- days and as my stay in these beautiful islands was limited to two months I de- termined to see tho natires in "the kings country, as their great reserva- tion Is called, the famous hot springs to the east and the grand avalanches and mountain lakes of the middle island without regard to the season.
 had letter from Sir George Grey to the Maori chief Ontonga, and half i breed Maori named Mahllah was engag- ea |, 'cC as my guido into "the king's eoureIy. "
 The American consul came to my hotel to bid me goedby, and during tho T conversation he told me Of country man of ours who had reached the city ] that day from Sydney.
 His name is Baldwin. said the | consul, ''ard he is now sick ill this ho- tel. lIo Is well to do, but his is a very sad case, ard I incline to think that from dwelling on bis troubles, his mind l is unhinged "
 Then the consul went on to tell mo that Mir. Baldwin was from Boston. Some six years before this he was the owner of number of New Bedford whalers that camo to collect whale oil and bone ill these southern waters.
 The shipawHer had a son, a spirited but rather delicate boy, who, like most wholesome youths brought up near the sea, had an intense yearning to become sailor
 After much pleading on the boys part ! 1Es intrustod him to the care of Captain l Wellman of the whalcr Albatross, with ] instructions to send CHford-that was the boy name-home on some steam r as soon as he became tired of sailors life, which he expected would be the case by the time tho ship reached the south Pacific
 But the Albatross never came back, 1 and, except once, was never heard of l again. Six months after she left New Bedford she touched at Norfolk island. where Clifford was reported well and still enamored cf the sea-
 The manner of tho less of the Alba tross could be only a matter for specula- i tion, but that sho WAS lost was settled beyond doubt, for the insurance com papies had paid tho claim and the i widows and orphans of the missing sail ors had discarded their mourning years ago.
 ''StiIl Mir. Baldwin believes his son Is alive said the consul, "and he spends most of his time travclirg along the 1 coasts ef Australasia ill his vain search. 1 He is HOW much exhausted, and I fear 1 be will not see the year oat. '' ] Together NC called OH Mr. Baldwin, a thin, careworn man, prematurely old, although he was only 45
 He told me bis sad story, as he had told if for years to every one he met, and ill obedience to his request l prom ised to lcak out for the lest Clifford, as every enc had done, but it is unneces- saty to state that thero WAS never q hope behind any of these promises
 The next day, with my guide, I left Auckland. Il was the I4th of Decem- Der, and more beautiful summer day never came down from the blue skies for the delight of man. Tho woods were shimmoriug emerald pillows. The train ran through broad sheep pastures and past farms and orchards as beautiful and rich ill color as arc the hills of Dev- onshire ill June.
 Unnecessary hero to tell of our reach ing the end of tho railroad, of the long but chaery stage journeys, of our visit to the geyscrs and the scene of the recent earthquake or of our long horseback ride into the forbidden land Of "the king's country.
 Not even the queen of England, said my guide, with show of pride, 'aeould enter the kings country with out permission of the chief But few white men hayo over been there, nor could you go if you were not the friend of Sir George Grey, whom the Maoris call thcir father.
 Ontonsa. the Maori chief, tall, magnidcently formed man, with tat tooed face, treated me with d hospitality 1 that was at once princeIy and barbaric.
 These people in appearance and man ncrs reminded me very much of our own | Navajo Indians. They cultivate the ground after a fashion but havo great nocks of sheep, herds |, f cattle and pigs and poultry without end, while every stream teens with fish.
 Rather reluctantly the chief gave me permission to go 10 tho coast, The rea- son for his opposition was the danger | Ion the islands of uanlan, explained l