homesteads close to the road. Then down we went on to the great Canterbury plains, looking just like a flat map with its marked-out fields. And how tame they looked after the wild scenery that we had passed through, with nothing but long belts of thick plantations of blue gums to break the monotony-and, I suppose, the wind, which must sweep with great force here, for every haystack was knocked out of shape.

Every variety of scenery and natural beauty is found in this Southern Cross world, from bold rocky islandstudded coast-lines to rolling hills and level plains; from towering heights of active volcano to a wonder-land of silica terraces and undying fires of a hot-lake region, unreal and weird in their plutonic grandeur; from inaccessible glacier peaks of eternal ice and snow, where avalanches wake the echoes of a hundred valleys, to the fathomless depths of land-locked fiords, where virgin forests guard the shores with such garlands as only nature could weave; from wind-swept gorge and rocky precipice to the great cold lakes; along the shores of golden reaches to fierce broad rivers, to ideal summer haunts where, among wildernesses of ferns and mosses, sunshine steals in and goes to sleep; and, in the words of the Scripture," A land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olives and honey."-Ibid.

THE IMPORTANCE TO ENGLAND OF THE

COLONY OF NEW ZEALAND

BY SIR ROBERT PEEL

I WILLINGLY admit that the interests of that colony are recommended to us by many considerations. I look at the extent of that colony, at its line of coast, at the quantity of land in it capable of cultivation and improvement; I look, above all, at its position, and the new importance which it has acquired by the events which have been passing in the Pacific, and by the opening of the trade with China . . . There appears every probability, as far as we can form a judgment, that that colony, if its interests are duly regarded, and its welfare fostered, is destined to occupy a most important station in the world. I agree that its relation to this country is most important. Surveying the unoccupied portion of the globe, I know of no part of that globe more calculated to afford a profitable field for employment to the superabundant population of this country.

Now, with respect to the future government of this colony, I must say that, looking at the distance at which it is removed from the seat of government at home, and considering the great difficulty of issuing orders for its government in this country, I am, for one, strongly inclined to think that a representative government will be suited for the condition of the people of that colony. . . I cannot see what assignable interest

you can have, except in the commercial and social prosperity of that colony. The only possible ground of connection that can exist will depend upon its being profitable. It is impossible that at the distance at which we are, this country can seek any advantage in its connection with New Zealand except reciprocal interest; and, above all, the local prosperity of the colony.-Speech on the New Zealand Government Bill. 1845.

A BUSH FIRE

BY MRS. ROWAN

TOWARDS night the heat became unbearable, and a dull, lurid glare lit up the horizon. Away in the distance came a low, continuous sound like the roar of rushing wind, and a dense pillar of smoke curled upwards with a dull yellow glare. Below, some terrified cattle rushed aimlessly forward, and sure-footed kangaroos bounded away, ten feet each spring, the horses whinnied and stamped in the yards, and the air was filled with the shrill cries of cockatoos as they wheeled and swayed backwards and forwards in floating clouds in the blackening sky. Now with fearful rapidity came the menacing sound of crashing and crackling of timbers, and, leaping and blazing, the flames shot forward, sending blinding showers of drift and fragments of leaves. across the road, the only bar now between us and a horrible death. The first scream of the blast rushed upwards, the flames leaping at their prey, and wave upon wave rolled onward. Below the fiery tongues

hissing, toppling, and hurling over each other as they spluttered, gripped, twisted, and grasped the tree-trunks, then defiantly hurled a fiery stream to the resinous leaves of the foliage above.

And now a fresh horror seized us; the panting flames had leapt the gap and crossed the road. A huge tree that was burnt through at its base now tottered and fell with a crashing sound, scattering a sea of burning fragments, whose quick tongues clutched with relentless grasp the dry tufts of grass and the light saplings round the fenced-in yard. The smoke grew denser each moment. With sinews and muscles strained to their utmost, and with hands grimy and scorched, we wrestled and struggled in frantic efforts, beating and stamping it out. How the reds and the yellows struggled for mastery. The whole force of the fire was upon us, and we fought for dear lives' sake. Our throats were dry and swollen as we gasped for breath, a legion of devils was on us; for a moment we seemed to wrestle with the powers of hell.

In the thickened smoke a man's figure staggered for a moment and fell with the cry, "O God, we are undone!" Indeed, his words seemed too terribly true, and would have been so had not the wind been suddenly met by a stronger one from the south, which forced the fire backward. It was a wonderful deliverance, and a wonderful sight when the flaring torches that lit the heavens turned and swept on for miles until spent on a distant lagoon. The atmosphere was choking with the dust of charred embers, our swollen eyes pricked and smarted, our skins were scorched and our clothes burnt

into countless holes, and when the morning light came what a scene of blackened desolation lay smoking and smouldering before us!—A Flower Hunter in Queensland and New Zealand. 1898.

QUEENSLAND SCENERY

BY MRS. ROWAN

THE coast-line was fringed with cocoa-nut trees. In front of us was a species of india-rubber, a large tree with dense green foliage and a long plum-coloured fruit which the natives cut into strips and dry, and from which they make a splendid crimson dye. Beside it was a flame tree, one blaze of scarlet blossoms. Beyond that again stands a tree with the whole trunk and branches clothed with masses of white flowers. Out of the hot, moist ground I could almost fancy I saw the plants grow, all nature seemed to revel in the exquisite beauty that she unfolded in never-ending blooms of brightest hues and vivid contrasts. Dusky figures of women were busily going to and fro, under the bright green foliage, carrying water in yellow and brown gourds on their heads. With backs as straight as arrows, the men, waist-deep in water, were hauling their fishing-nets. There are days in our lives that we never forget, and I think that this was one of them. Perhaps it was that I felt so well, and so much alive, and that the world was a beautiful one. Every bird was singing, the air was full of scent and sound, a distant hum of bees was overhead, and butterflies danced in the sunlight.