tastes of the wealthy, and make deadly havoc on the fruits in the garden and the grain on the field.
Signal Hill rises up beyond Opoho, and as the ascent is easy, and the road in fair condition, its summit can easily be reached, and a magnificent view of land and water, hill and dale, be obtained. But if the energies have been sufficiently taxed, turn to the left, and soon the North East Valley is reached, the spot in which most of the early settlers made their first suburban selection, and which is now constituted a borough of the same name. Here the tram-car will convey the passenger up the Valley to the old Port Chalmers road, and on the ride, both up and down, some nice scenic views will be obtained, the murmuring brook and the crested mount alike demanding a share of admiration.
Some of our prominent citizens have elected the Valley as the place of their abode, and have erected handsome mansions, with tastefully laid out gardens and orchards.
This Valley, forty years ago, was a dense forest. There was not a single acre of clear ground throughout its length and breadth, so that judging from this fact alone, the mighty change which has passed over the scene may, to some extent, be realized. The clearance has not been effected without great labour and considerable cost. Add to this the fact that a large number of the early settlers were as little acquainted with bush work and tree felling as dwellers in town usually are, and the traveller may form some idea of the magnitude of the labour involved.
IX.—CORSTORPHINE TO TAIERI MOUTH.
As our purpose is to show our friends the best of everything we possess, our proposal is that starting from Dunedin, on horseback or in buggy, we pass through the village of Caversham, and half way up Look-out Point take the road leading by Corstorphine to upper Green Island. The approach cannot boast of much beauty, but when once the hill is fairly gained, the panorama is grand indeed.
The vast expanse of restless ocean, the capacious harbour, the long stretch of coastline from the far north to the Nuggets, the numerous indentations and promontories, half-covered reefs and
