dinner), again at 4 p.m., again at dinner, (which is generally “high” tea), and very often end up with a last cup just before going to bed!
When we got to this floor the lift door opened into a sort of miniature Shoolbred furniture department, and of course we had to look at it. It was as good in its way as the drapery department, but, though the things were all nice, we were surprised to find that scarcely any of it was made out here, nor of New Zealand woods, though these have such a pretty grain and such splendid wearing qualities. But the manager explained that labour is too costly out here for manufacturers to compete against imported goods.
From here we went over to the Tourist Department, just across the road, to see Mr. Donne, the Superintendent. He took great interest in our plans, and when he heard that we contemplated walking to Milford Sound after driving through Westland, he gave us many useful hints, and promised to so arrange things for us on the “track” that the walk would be made as easy and as pleasant as possible.
Captain Greendays went into raptures over the antlers and heads arranged on the walls of the office, and we could scarcely get him away from the place. But as Colonel Deane wanted to show us some of the shipping we could not afford to spend half the day in the Tourist Department, though the photographs and pictures of New Zealand scenery were as enthralling to us as the sporting trophies to Captain Greendays.
From there we walked down to the Union Company’s Offices, where Colonel Deane introduced us to the General Manager, who took us down to the wharves and showed us over several of the ships that happened to be in port. There was a big turbine, “Maheno,” 5282 g.r., of 6000 h.p., trading between New Zealand, Australia, the South Sea Islands, and Vancouver, fitted entirely for the passenger trade and as luxuriously as the great Pacific liners, though the prices are decidedly less. The “Waikare,” that makes an annual excursion every January to the Southern Sounds, was there too, and when we had seen her, and heard of the programme of entertainment provided for her passengers during the fortnight or three weeks occupied by the trip, Mrs Greendays tried to persuade her husband to forego our proposed visit to Australia on the way home in order that we might stay out here long enough to visit Milford in the “Waikare” instead of walking overland at once.
“Can’t see where the advantage comes in!” said Captain Greendays. “I am sure we will be hearing that you are deadly tired of the sea long before we get home, so why wish to go to a place by sea that you can get to by land?”
“Ah, but you only see one of the Sounds by going overland!” explained Mr Dash. “Milford is the only one that can be reached except by sea at present, and the scenery all the way is far and away the best in the country.”
“And then there is all the fun on board too!” Mrs Greendays chimed in. “Fancy the dances and concerts,—and travelling in such a jolly boat too,—oh, Tom! how can you prefer walking! And you would get such good fishing and
