Page 10 - A Walk from Wellington to New Plymouth

consists of bunches of cups about half the size of a wine glass which are half full of syrup very
much like honey and very refreshing to the tired traveller.”

“Throughout the journey we met occasionally with native gardens and in one place I saw about
100 natives at work together, but they have few fields in cultivation and not much corn, although
in some parts they grow a great deal. Several natives accompanied me as usual some distance
past the village I last spoke of and when I got to the beach I bargained with one to show me the
way to Mr Woon's for 2/6 but we had not gone far when we came to a river and he would not
carry me over unless I gave him a stick of tobacco, which I did and we soon came to another
river and I had to do the same again. We passed in front of a cliff which was perpendicular and
of pumice stone with beautiful streams of water oozing through it and after walking a mile we
turned up the cliff and another mile brought us to Mr Woons's where to our surprise we found
the soldier who had gone by another road and got there overnight. A short distance from Mr
Woon's and just before we came in sight of his house, my guide asked me for the 2/6. I found he
did not like Mr Woon to know that he had charged me so much. From the information the soldier
gave, Mr Woon dispatched a native in search of us first thing in the morning, and we met him
half a mile from Mr Woon's and brought him back with us. I then sent a note with another native
to Mr Smith with directions as to the road etc. and about 12 o'clock he arrived at Mr Woon's. It
was 7 in the morning when I arrived at Mr W-s and he came out of his house partly dressed to
welcome me. He is a fine looking man 6 feet high and weighing about 18 stone. He was very
kind as were indeed the whole family, every one doing something for us. Mr Woon lives at
Waimate halfway between Wanganui and New Plymouth, 75 miles from each and until lately 70
miles from any white man except perhaps some whaling station but nevertheless seems to make
himself comfortable and wants little but society. We were very kindly received and entertained
during our stay, as in fact is every traveller. Mr Woon has built a small house adjoining his own
on purpose for travellers and on my arrival I was shown into it. He sent me hot water for my feet,
and his own razers to shave and both he and his children came several times to know if they
could get me anything more. At about half past eight we breakfasted the company consisted of
Mr and Mrs Woon, Mrs Remensneider, his eldest daughter who is married to a German
clergyman living 50 miles further on the road to New Plymouth, his three sons and his youngest