[INTRODUCTION]
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NEARLY all the recent writers on New Zealand, such as Lady Barker, Sir C. Dilke, and others, have confined themselves to the South or Middle island, where the people, climate, and imported trees remind one so strongly of England, that it is hard to imagine yourself away from home. But though the glaciers and lake scenery of the Southern Alps are in their way almost unrivalled, I think that for variety, beauty and interest, the natural phenomena of the North island are pre-eminently wonderful; whilst the semi-tropical look of the vegetation, the influence, manners and customs of the Maori population, and the eternal spring weather, lend a powerful charm of novelty to visitors in these parts.
In 1872 I spent some time in exploring the celebrated Hot Lakes of Rotorua and Rotomahana, continuing my journey on horseback from thence to Lake Taupo and Napier; and as my experience tends strongly to confirm the impressions formed by the late Governor Sir G. Bowen, as to the peaceful disposition and hospitality of the natives in recently disaffected districts, I have no hesitation in trying to persuade sight-seers and bond fide emigrants to visit or adopt for their home the "Eden of the Southern Seas," without fear of any further serious disturbances. To the account of this expedition I have added several selected sketches of places and things not generally known, in preference to inflicting on the public a complete account of my travels or giving descriptions of what may
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have already been told in far more graphic language than mine pretends to be. I have borne in mind two maxims; firstly, that
Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci,
in accordance with which I have tried to combine useful guide-book information with personal incidents, and thus to dress the former in a more pleasing garb; secondly, that
Segnius irritant animam demissa per aurem
Quam quae sunt oculis submissa fidelibus;
and therefore I have embellished the pages, where I could, with correct copies of photographs taken by Mr.Munday, of Wellington, and Mr.Moller, of Auckland, on the very spots of which I speak.
Mr.Anthony Trollope, in his recently published work on the colonies, mentions that four hundred books have already been written about New Zealand, but that as he never read one of them himself previous to his visit there, he ventures to think there may be room for just one more still. Being venturous enough to tread in his steps, I must plead the same excuse in presenting to the public number four hundred and two, which I feel assured is far from exhausting what may be said in praise of "the coming country."
