Chap. n. PROGRESS OF WELLINGTON. 23 
Progress had been made in the signs of civilization in 
Wellington itself. A large and well-furnished chemist's 
shop, with the due allowance of red bottles and blue 
bottles, and glass jars full of tooth-brushes and sponges, 
and gay labels of quack pills and ointments, showed a 
broad front to the beach near Barrett's hotel. As this 
shop, which gloried in the sonorous title of " Medical 
Hall," was close to the usual place of disembarkation 
for passengers, it became a much-frequented morning 
lounge ; especially as Dr. Dorset and another of our 
oldest medical friends were partners in the establish- 
ment. Many other equally gay shops began to orna- 
ment the bustling beach. Two clever rope-makers had 
begun the pursuit of their trade on a large scale, using 
the phormium tenax as prepared by the natives ; and 
they received ample support from all classes, there being 
a considerable demand for small rope for the running 
rigging of ships, fishing-nets, and whale-lines for the 
stations in the Strait. 
The trading and cattle vessels from Sydney and the 
other colonies brought news of a more brotherly spirit 
shown towards us by the inhabitants of those countries. 
The newspapers no longer teemed with unmitigated 
abuse of the place and the people ; and a few staunch 
advocates contradicted the less frequent calumnies, and 
took up the cudgels which our newspaper had got tired 
of using against such mean adversaries. 
Rangihaeata and his followers had destroyed some 
of the bridges on the Porirua bridle-road, and in some 
places trees were purposely felled across the narrow 
path with a view to prevent the easy passage of travel- 
lers. No notice of these acts of aggression was taken 
by the Police Magistrate. 
A trading-boat from Cloudy Bay to Tf^anganui had 
been wrecked near Rangitikei ; and the crew had been 
