her influential
citizens. He was quite optimistic as to the result, but I had my doubts.
He had not been present at my interview with Colonel Reader at
Wellington. I felt convinced that the chief had been much annoyed at what
he no doubt thought the cavalier way in which I had left my job at
Tauranga, after his having given me the appointment to that district so
quickly after my application. However, hope is the mother of cheer, and I
felt more reconciled to my lot. Later on arrived Colonel Reader's answer.
It was short and to the point, but a bad point for me. He regretted he
was unable to recommend the reappointment of an officer who had resigned
at such short notice.

It was all over. I had fallen between two stools. Well, it could not be
helped; why cry over spilt milk? After all, I had been more than
fortunate in regaining my health. I had spent some six months in one of
the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world, gained much
experience, enjoyed endless good sport, made many friends. Why despond?
Nothing in it. Life was still before me. My friends in Dunedin and
Christchurch invited me to visit their stations, fish, shoot, eat, dance
and play. I would put in some three months enjoying myself, and then make
for home and Wardhouse again. The journey homewards would give me the
opportunity of visiting Australia, India and Egypt, and on arrival home I
would have been round the world. Some experience, as an American would
say, for a young man who, twelve months before, had boarded a sailing
vessel in the London Docks with little hope of leaving the ship alive.

One of the most thrilling experiences I have ever had occurred while I
made the attempt to climb the peak of that lofty mountain, Mount Cook.
The time of the year was not the best to venture on such an expedition.
On both occasions, when we tackled the venture, ill-luck befell us. Our
first attempt was foiled by fogs, which, when driven away by a fierce,
bitterly cold gale, that seemed to blow from any and every point of the
compass at the same time, were succeeded by sleet and hailstorms that
forced us to give up the fight and return home sadder but wiser men. The
second time of asking, after a splendid start, once again the Fates were
against us, and a heavy fall of snow, which lasted three days, put an end
to our ambitious undertaking.

Then my round of visits came to an end, and I took my passage to
Melbourne, sorry to leave so many friends,