Au[c]kland, New Zealand, Thursday morning, Aug’st 4/98.
Yesterday morning after breakfast, Mrs. F., Roy, & I ascended Mount Eden, from which we had a very beautiful & panorama of the city, harbour & country around Au[c]kland, & the residence which Mr. Withy & family occupied when in Au[c]kland. It is a very fine large mansion, square tower, & stands in full grounds commanding a general view, Cleveland, it is named, & presently occupied for £60 per annum. He bought it for £6,000 & after leaving, it stood empty for a long time, but as a caretaker was necessary, a tenant even at low rental, was preferable. It is a long way out from city, a mile beyond Mr. Furnesse’s [sic]. After descending the mount, we went into the city & made for Mr. Furnesse’s [sic] office. Mrs. F. had some shopping to do, afterwards returning home. I had my arrangements to make at Cook’s for passage next Tuesday in the “Westralia,” which is due to leave here 2 p.m. We are due back from the Hot Lakes on Monday night, so I was anxious to complete my visit to Au[c]kland yesterday, thus leaving me the Tuesday morning free. I had to meet Mr. Cobb at 2 p.m. to go & see the shirt & clothing factory in which Mr. King is engaged, & was astonished to find such a hive of industry, a well appointed factory where 150 hands are employed. The shirts are all made by girls & the clothing by men, & are kept constantly employed. Mr. Cobb set me as far as Mr. Furnesse’s [sic]. Again he left me to go & prepare for our journey, & I got my letters & 12 illustrated p. cards posted, & which I hope will be safely received by all. We got home at 6:30, had dinner, & about 8, Mr. & Mrs. Young, & the minister & his wife (Mr. & Mrs. Monro), came by appointment & stayed till 11 o’clock. A very enjoyable night we all spent. The minister conducted family worship before parting, & soon after we retired. The sun is shining brightly this morning, tho’ it does not look settled. Probably it may be better weather inland, if so, a very great treat in the shape of natural wonders is promised me, & I shall see the spot where young Mr. Bainbridge was killed during the historic volcanic eruption, also his grave.[1] Now I close my journal for the present and probably for a few days.
[6:0]
Purchased Aug’st 6/98 in “Rotorua”, New Zealand.
Saturday morning while going to Ohinemutu to view the natives, & the settlement. (Hot springs) boiling water & boiling mud pools.
[6:1]
[1] At 12:40am on 10 June 1886, Mount Tararewa exploded. Mr. Edwin Bainbridge, an English tourist who had shewn great bravery in rescuing fellow guests, then died when the hotel balcony collapsed on him.