FIJI-NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION 193 
tion. As a matter of fact the New Zealanders seem to me much 
more approachable and less reserved than the average English- 
man. They form acquaintances and take a more lively interest 
in strangers than do the British or even passengers on our Pull- 
man ears; but this I have found to be true of Colonials in 
general. 
About noon we entered a series of deep valleys between abrupt, 
picturesque hills dotted with pretty houses, many of them of the 
bungalow type, much like those in the United States and differing 
greatly from the suburban dwellings found in England. 
I was met at the station by Mr. Hislop, Under Secretary of 
Internal Affairs, with whom I had had some correspondence. This 
meeting was a turning point in our fortunes and Mr. Hislop 
proved a most powerful and efficient friend to all of our party. 
He had my luggage put into a government auto and introduced 
me to Mr. Oliver of the Dominion Museum who was instructed 
to take me in charge. We drove at once to the Empire hotel 
where a room had been reserved and I was informed that the 
government car and chauffeur would be at our disposal while we 
were in the vicinity of Wellington. 
