Page:Letters from New Zealand (Harper).djvu/150

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128
Letters from New Zealand

I could not help feeling that such a feeling as this of the true "noblesse oblige" might do much to control the speech of many of our political orators, and chasten the wild thoughtless talk which so often discredits our legislative assemblies.

One has to make a day of it, visiting Maories, so more tea and cake appear, till at last I bid them farewell; a Maori lad brings me my horse, well cared for; "Kapai, Kapai, the horse," i.e. very good horse; they love riding, and appreciate a good animal.

I shall soon have to attend the Diocesan Synod in Christchurch, and be able to give you some account of its procedure. Winter is at hand, often very severe in the Southern Alps, so I do not anticipate as easy a journey as in summer. I have arranged for someone to come and take my duty for three weeks. If all goes well, it is a journey of two days' coaching, but in stress of weather may be longer.

I am, Yours, etc.,
H. W. H.