160 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. VI. 
A fourth pier proved of much convenience opposite 
Barrett's hotel. It was built by subscription among 
the two or three people living on the adjoining section. 
A small steam saw and flour mill had been at work 
in Wellington since the beginning of October, and 
was kept in constant and profitable employment. 
A Horticultural Society had been formed, and had 
held its first show on the 24th of January. Although 
this period of the year, our warmest weather, was by 
no means the most favourable for the purpose, the 
exhibition had been most remarkable. Many new- 
comers who had been present told me that they had 
no idea before they saw this collection, chiefly of vege- 
tables, of what could be produced. 
Two cabbages grown on mere shingle at Pitone, 
within thirty yards of the sea-beach, weighed respec- 
tively 21^ and 12 pounds, being a Hybrid and an early 
Fulham ; although they were kept three weeks after 
arriving at perfection, in order to appear at the show. 
Some of the kidney potatoes grown in the Hutt, 
from native seed, measured nine inches in length, and 
were of excellent quality. Specimens of the red flat 
turnip were shown 19 inches in circumference and 
weighing 2i lbs. ; and of the common white turnip 
21 inches in circumference and weighing 3 lbs- 
The wheat, with remarkably full and large ears, 
had a straw five feet seven inches in length. 
Apples, the first fruits of trees imported from Eng- 
land, were exhibited. 
Every other sort of vegetable figured in the list of 
prizes ; and seedling geraniums and dahlias represented 
the flower-garden. 
Most of these things had been grown, with scarcely 
any attention, on what our detractors called the barren 
and impassable hills which shut Port Nicholson out 
from any available country. 
