AN OFFER FROM THE GOVERNOR OF TASMANIA
My life in Tauranga was becoming every day more interesting. Fishing,
both fresh water in the Wairoa, and deep sea, was excellent. Any amount
of shooting could be got within easy driving distance from the
township--red-legged partridges, rabbits, and any number of pheasants; as
a matter of fact, these were looked upon by the farmers as vermin, they
were so plentiful, and they did much damage to their grain crops. Some
eighteen miles away one reached the border of the King Country, the large
tract of land then in the hands of the Maoris. At this border the natural
bush commenced. Wonderful timber, among which semi-tropical creeping
plants revelled in forming almost impassable barriers, so luxurious were
their growth. Wild boar hunting was most exciting as well as dangerous.
Supple-jack was one of the most treacherous parasites of the giant forest
trunks, for, notwithstanding hand axes, the deeper you cut your way, the
more entangled you became. Our patrolling duties often necessitated our
being away for five or six days, and enabled us to get some excellent
sport. There was but little trouble with the Maoris. They somewhat
objected to the making of roads, which were then being extended inland
towards the west coast, and they were a source of some annoyance to the
working parties; but the appearance of one of our armed patrols soon
brought them to reason.
Ohinemutu was a Maori village at the foot of the wonderful hills up whose
slopes rose the marvellous pink and white terraces which were, a few
years later, to be wiped off the face of the earth by the terrible
volcanic eruptions that devastated that part of the North Island. Acting
upon the advice of our doctor I decided to take a short course of the
sulphur mud baths which were scattered here and there over the ground.
Having obtained permission from Te-Whiti, the then king, I spent eight
days at Ohinemutu. The two chief guides, Maria and Sophia, were well
known in those days to all tourists who were fortunate enough to visit
that wonderful region. I had been free from any rheumatic pains since my
landing at Dunedin, but the doctor assured me that the sulphur baths
would complete the cure. He was right, as I am thankful to say that from
that day to this the old enemy has never tackled me again, though I am
afraid I have sorely tempted him.
It was one day shortly after my sojourn at Ohinemutu that I received a
letter from Sir Frederick Weld, the then Governor of Tasmania, offering
me the position of private secretary, which had become vacant. I had
taken out letters of introduction to him from some mutual friends, which
I had posted on my arrival in Dunedin; hence his offer. I was naturally
delighted, and cabled accepting. Without delay I tendered my resignation
to the officer in command of our district, Major Swinley, who told me I
could count upon its being accepted, and could make my arrangements to
leave for Tasmania as soon as a steamer was available. I found there
would be one leaving Auckland for Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin in
a few days. This was indeed fortunate, for it would enable me to see
Auckland, call upon our chief, Colonel Reader, at Wellington, thank him
for his kindness in giving me the appointment at Tauranga, and say
good-bye to all my old friends at Dunedin. At Auckland, a beautifully
situated city with an excellent and picturesque harbour, I spent some
four days, having ridden from Tauranga through the Kati-kati settlement,
the old Thames Gold Fields, and finishing my most interesting journey in
a little steamer, the _Rotomahana_, sailing from Grahamstown. On arrival
at Wellington I called on Colonel Reader. He expressed much surprise at
seeing me, and told me that as he had no recollection of having received
any application from me for leave, he failed to understand on what
grounds I had come to Wellington. I was, of course, surprised myself that
he had not heard from Major Swinley, and explained to him exactly what
had happened. He appeared considerably annoyed, and told me that Major
Swinley should not have permitted me to leave Tauranga before the
application for leave had been approved by himself; but, as he had done
so, he would not stand in the way of my bettering my position, and would
accept my resignation. I thanked him and returned to the steamer, which
sailed next morning for Christchurch.
In due course I arrived in Dunedin. Here a real surprise awaited me. It
was a cable from Sir Frederick Weld to the effect that he had received
instructions from the Colonial Office to proceed without delay to
Singapore, where he had been appointed Governor, and where his presence
was urgently required. He expressed his regret that the alteration in his
plans forced him to cancel his offer, and hoped that it would not cause
me much inconvenience. There was nothing for it but to bow to the
inevitable, break my journey, and put my thinking-cap on.
I had wired to some of my friends in Dunedin, advising them of the fact
that the steamer would be calling at the port, and that I would be glad
to see them again. Two or three of them were waiting on the pier on the
steamer's arrival. They were much concerned at my bad news, did their
best to cheer me up, and promised me a good time while I stayed with
them. Being young, I put aside my troubles for the time and determined to
take them at their word and enjoy myself. Plenty of time for worry by and
by. At the end of the week the senior officer of the local garrison
battery came to see me. He said his officers had asked him to apply to
the Government to have me appointed as artillery instructor to the
district, which then included the port of Invercargill, otherwise the
Bluff, and that he had that day sent on an application to that effect,
supported by the local Members of Parliament, and other influential
citizens. He was quite optimistic as to the result, but I had my doubts.
He had not been present at my interview with Colonel Reader at
Wellington. I felt convinced that the chief had been much annoyed at what
he no doubt thought the cavalier way in which I had left my job at
Tauranga, after his having given me the appointment to that district so
quickly after my application. However, hope is the mother of cheer, and I
felt more reconciled to my lot. Later on arrived Colonel Reader's answer.
It was short and to the point, but a bad point for me. He regretted he
was unable to recommend the reappointment of an officer who had resigned
at such short notice.
It was all over. I had fallen between two stools. Well, it could not be
helped; why cry over spilt milk? After all, I had been more than
fortunate in regaining my health. I had spent some six months in one of
the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world, gained much
experience, enjoyed endless good sport, made many friends. Why despond?
Nothing in it. Life was still before me. My friends in Dunedin and
Christchurch invited me to visit their stations, fish, shoot, eat, dance
and play. I would put in some three months enjoying myself, and then make
for home and Wardhouse again. The journey homewards would give me the
opportunity of visiting Australia, India and Egypt, and on arrival home I
would have been round the world. Some experience, as an American would
say, for a young man who, twelve months before, had boarded a sailing
vessel in the London Docks with little hope of leaving the ship alive.
One of the most thrilling experiences I have ever had occurred while I
made the attempt to climb the peak of that lofty mountain, Mount Cook.
The time of the year was not the best to venture on such an expedition.
On both occasions, when we tackled the venture, ill-luck befell us. Our
first attempt was foiled by fogs, which, when driven away by a fierce,
bitterly cold gale, that seemed to blow from any and every point of the
compass at the same time, were succeeded by sleet and hailstorms that
forced us to give up the fight and return home sadder but wiser men. The
second time of asking, after a splendid start, once again the Fates were
against us, and a heavy fall of snow, which lasted three days, put an end
to our ambitious undertaking.
Then my round of visits came to an end, and I took my passage to
Melbourne, sorry to leave so many friends, and little thinking that, in
after years, I would again see them and enjoy their hospitality in those
beautiful southern islands.