28 February 1872

page 82

Mrs Whitmore’s fowls and garden were her hobby, and seemed likely to increase on her hands. We left in the morning to meet the Coach for Napier, Col. Whitmore riding with us for some miles. In descending a long steep hill, one of the Coach Horses, began to kick and tried to run away. Fortunately for the passengers he kicked his leg over the pole and got it fast in the lock. The end of the pole ran into the side of the road, stopping the momentum; and after a deal of bother we got the horse loose; he was young and touchy and we had therefore rather a nervous ride, part of our way being on a steep hill side. When we reached Napier Plains I saw as many as 8 sheep to an acre of Land, and such cattle and grass as shewed that it was something like land. Artesian Wells, made by driving gas pipes into the earth on the Abyssinian plan, supply water on these Plains. There are some tremendous floods occasionally; - a curious pebble beach has been formed for keeping the sea from washing over the Plains. While staying at the Club, we meet the Napier Members of both houses and feel again amongst old friends.