Chap. XI. " OLD JENKINS." 271 
Bank was situated. Here he did a thriving business ; 
having his bar full of boatmen and sailors, whalers, 
bullock-drivers, stockmen, and others of the thirsty- 
class, and a neat parlour in which commercial transac- 
tions and sales of cattle and horses were often con- 
cluded over a jug of beer. At length he built extensive 
stables, with four stalls and five loose boxes ; speculated 
a little in buying cattle and setting up a butcher next 
door to him ; took in horses to livery and to be broken 
in ; and became the owner of considerable property 
both in land and stock. When I left, he was paying 
a rent of 20/. a year for 100 acres of hill-pasture near 
the town ; had made an excellent road up the steepest 
hill in the neighbourhood to his section ; had fenced 
in half of it ; and had a fine troop of brood mares run- 
ning on the farm. 
" Old Jenkins," as he is generally called, is quite a 
character. He can suit his conversation and manners 
to any class of society, and there is not a gentleman in 
Wellington who will not willingly chat over the news 
of the day with him at the door of his tavern, and 
often be glad to profit by his experience and knowledge 
of the world. For, although of unknown origin, and 
ignorant even of writing, he has many sterling qualities. 
Though a public-house keeper, he is an absolute ob- 
server of temperance without having taken the pledge ; 
and he can boast an uncommon share of vigour, manly 
independence, and public spirit. He is one of those 
men who must be in a new community to obtain the 
estimation which they deserve. 
On the 4th, the first sitting of the Supreme Court 
at Wellington was held by Judge Martin. 
A case of some interest, and of great importance to 
the relations between the White people and the natives, 
was tried before his Honour. As I was not present. 
