Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/143

Rh Captain Cook, in a situation now frequented, but then somewhat like ours on board the "Waipara," wrote this of the bell-bird:—"The ship lay at the distance of somewhat less than a quarter of a mile from the shore, and in the morning we were awakened by the singing of the birds. The number was incredible, and they seemed to strain their throats in emulation of each other. The wild melody was infinitely superior to anything of the same kind that we had ever heard. It seemed to be like small bells most exquisitely tuned, and perhaps the distance and the water between might be no small advantage to the sound." Other observers, such as Dr Buller, in his "Book of Birds," has written—"Its ordinary song is not unlike that of the tui, or parson-bird; but it is more melifluousmellifluous [sic]. Its notes, though simple, are various and sweetly chimed. And, as the bird is of social habits, the morning anthem in which these sylvan choristers perform together is a concert of eccentric parts, producing a wild but pleasing melody." And then we are told by the same authority that "this bird, formerly very plentiful in every part of the country, appears to be rapidly dying out; in some districts, where it was a few years ago the commonest bird, it has now entirely vanished."

As the foregoing portion of this chapter deals principally with travels, circumstances, and events of by-gone years, I will conclude this portion of my publication with some account of what is being done in these southern parts, at the present time—the end of 1884. And as the present County Chairman, Mr Peter Dungan, has recently furnished the County Council with a report of an official visit made by him in September last, I will give, in a condensed form, hereunder, such particulars, gathered therefrom, as may be of interest to my readers. Payable gold is being got at the lower part of the County, some miners being at present working in the neighbourhood of Big Bay. There is also a good opinion held of the Gorge River in the same district, nice samples of gold having been obtained there. The Stafford Valley run, of 10,000 acres, is held by Mr C. Robinson; and the Cascade district, of 25,000 acres, by Mr W. Bruce. The population of Jackson's Bay district numbers about 200 souls. The settlers are chiefly engaged in raising cattle and dairy produce, and there is some mining going on along the beaches. There are 14 settlers, holding in occupation 500 acres of freehold land. Messrs Callery, Jackson, and Collins are lessees of the Arawata run, comprising 30,000 acres, There are about 180 acres of freehold land in occupation, and a run of 16,000 acres in the Waitoto, held by Nisson and Casey, two of its settlers. There are two settlements at the Okura and Turnbull Rivers, close to each other, and embrace a nice block of country. There are nine settlers, holding in the aggregate 900 acres of freehold land. The Turnbull and Okura Valley runs, comprising 30,000 acres, are held by W. Cuttance. There are some miners working on the beaches between the Okura and the Haast Rivers, and a few parties also on what is called the Black Lead. At the Haast there are 300 acres of freehold land in occupation; Messrs Marks and Stewart holding the Haast Valley run of 30,000 acres. From the Haast to Paringa is a distance of forty miles. This is a portion of the main south road. There are about twenty-five miles made over a rough and mountainous country which intersects the Blue River and Maori River Valleys, and at one point having