CHAPTER III. 



Auckland to Dunedin First Impressions of the English Mode of Travel 

 Ejecting an Intruder Maori King and Chiefs Wellington A Happy 

 Experience. 



NONE of us showed any signs of coining down with 

 the disease ; and, after a probation of sixteen days, the 

 steamer " City of Cork " conveyed us all, bag and bag- 

 gage, to Auckland, where we were once more free to 

 go where we pleased. Auckland is a good-sized city. 

 The only large, handsome street runs directly through 

 the middle of it. The side streets and narrow alleys 

 have a shabby look. Most of the houses, one story 

 high, are evidently unacquainted with paint. Many of 

 the best buildings, composed of blue lava blocks, look 

 gloomy and prison-like, having very small windows. 

 The Public Library is a handsome building, however; 

 and a fine museum filled with New Zealand and Aus- 

 tralian specimens does credit to the place. 



The number of drinking-saloons and drunken men I 

 saw the first day of my stay in Auckland could hardly 

 be credited by a person living in a civilized community. 



The handsomest woman to " tend the bars," and the 

 best of music, were the requisites of a first-class den ; 

 and every inducement was held out for men to spend 

 their time and money foolishly. 



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