THE COUNTIES, RAILWAY COMMISSION

Dunstan Times, Issue 987, 18 March 1881, Page 2

THE COUNTIES, RAILWAY COMMISSION

7 ""TT In our la|t> week's las uo We noticed tike rrival in Clyde on the evening of the 10th latent of the gentlemen composing the bove Commission, ■ and briefly reported heir progress through the lower division of p inoent County. We now shortly review heir journey npwarda to Lukes Wanaka nd Hawea, and their return to Clyde. On hit morning of the llih instant at 7 pm., in party accompanied by Vinoeut Pyke, isq., Chairman of the County, and Mr G. ache, of the Donstan Times again sarted. Arriving in Cromwell, Mr D A. oily, County Treasurer, Mr C-Coloiough, nd MrS.'N. Brown (Cromwell Argus) reresenting the Borough of Cromwell, joined le cavalcade. After breakfas ing at Host ioodger’s, the road was again taken by the ist bank of the Clutha. Em aging from he town of Cromwell on to the fl it, the irge extent bf level ground, the major porlon of which i* fenced and under oultivaion, was pointed out. The Lowhurn and Fakefleld blocks, the moat of which are meed and under cultivation, Messrs Marsh, ’erriam, and Ooodger being the principal elders, were next passed. Proceeding onwards, Messrs Howell and Loughnan’s Mt. ’is* Blation,was reached- As the cultivaion of fruits, cereals, and trees is. carried n here somewhat extensively, the Coraliesion made a visit of inspection, under ho guidance of Mr Willmott, the Manager. Ifisars Ooodger, Tobin, An leram, and Cidd’a farms on Tarras block were next in rder e« route, and came in for their share I Attention. Proceeding onwards to Mr Taidman’s at Luggate Creek, the party vas joined by Mr Henry Campbell, ofWanka Station, and Mr William Grant, of ML larker block. Mr Maidrain took the genlemen over his grounds, and showed speimens of the fruit grown—some of the ap»les weighing from eighteen to twenty-two mneei. The flour-mill, which is being irected here by Messrs MTntosh an- 1 Maidraan was also visited About two miles rom here a divergance fr m the road was nade into Lake County for the purpose of dsiting ML Barker block. This bein’ inipeeted, and eveningrapidlv advancing, the lorses heads were turned in the direction if Pembroke on Lake Wanaka, and which was reached about 9 a.m., a distance of but. ittle short of sixty rai'es bein’ covered luring the dav. The inner man being re 'reshed with the cood things provided by Mr* Russell, the hostess (inter alia a bet;er spread it would be impossible to put on i table), the Commi«siou took the evidence if a number of gentlemen as to the capabilities of the district and. its resources. Fhe following morning at 6 a. m , Messrs Bastings, Clark and Reid, accompanied by Mr Henry Campbell, of the W anaka Station, and Mr M'Uougal, merchant, of Pembroke, took saddle, and visited the rich illuvial flats on the Matukikuki river, returning again at 1 p.m., the others of the party visiting in the meantime spots of interest in the locality, and some taking a sail up the lake to obtain a view of its beauties. After lunching, the horses were once more harnessed, and a start home- | ward was made ; Newcastle was quickly reached, and the Clutha-being crossed by the punt, and quick trot being the order, the grand expanse of (Lower Hawea) Flat soon came into vieW Here a large number of the settlers interviewed the Com mission, and at some length gave evidence as to the resources of the district. Next in order was visited the Lagoon block, blocks 1, 2, and 3 Tarras district, and a good view taken of the Lmdis Valley. Evening now coming on apace, every energy was direct, ed towards reaching the proposed destination—Cromwell, and which was effected at about half-oast nine, after travelling a distance, including .the journey to the Mat ukikuki Valley, of nearly 7° miles. On Sunday morning the Commission proceeded on to Clyde, where they sojourned for the balance of the day, making good use of their time by visiting the orchar Is of M Feraud, Mr A. Oliver, and Mr Williams, on the Dunstan Flat. On the Mon day at 6a.m. the party was again afoot for the Blacks division of the district; they passed through and examined the Tiger Hill and Spottis Hundred blocks, ami after visited Ida Valley, reaching Blacks that night, and from whence they went the following morning, under the guidance of Mr J. Ewing, Chairman of the Maniototo County to Lauder, and St Bathans, en route tor Naseby. We do not intern!, nor do we suppose that it is expected for us, to anticipate the report of the Commission. We, however, cannot dismiss the subjeot without saying that the Commission expressed their estr one satisfaction at what they saw, and that previous to their tour they had no conception of what the country they have gone over was like Within every few miles they were shown samples of the produce in the shape of fruits, cereals, and roots of all descriptions, and in ho'one instance were they other than satisfied, and they were in no way backward in saying that they perfectly agreed with the agitations now on foot for the construction of the railway, and for the catting np of the runs on the leases falling in. Wo have as yet made no reference to the manner the Commission was received during their tour through the district. Every class alike received them with wel • coins, and in several places along the route sumptnons repasts awaited them—Mr A. M'Leod, Sandy Point Hotel, Tarras district especially, had provided amostexcellentcold dinner, the table actually, groaning under ite load of poultry, hams and all the other etcetera* that go to make up a good feast, and it was only to be regretted that time Would not allow of greater justice being done to liia boopitality. Amongst the evidence given, some points were of particular and special interest, and we ; think will go far to influence the. powers that be into pushing on tbo construction of tba railway JJOWMfc , jNw «f land

Available, and suitable for farming par* poses in the basin of Clutha above Cromwell, including Lindis, Haweaand Wanalta Flats, was estimated by all to be in round numbers about 200,000 acres, that about 15,000 are already in occupation as freeholds, and under agricultural lease and that of the one staple alone, wool, the annual produce was from 3500 to 4000 bales. The estimated yied of oats in the valley was from 40 to 50 bushels, and of wheat3s to to the aoie. Potatoes Bto 12 tons to the acre, other root crops there was no estimate given, they not being grown in quantities, but wonderfully large samples we e exhibited, unions weighing IJlbso.iohj pumpkins, 441 bs ; vegetable marrows, 26lhs each. As we before said, the Commission both individually and collective!y, were loud in the expressions of delight at what came under their notice, and all concurred in the one expression that the Clutha galley was, in its resources, the richest tha*- could be found in the country, and Far beyond what they ever anticipated. The Matukikuki Valley, which is estimated to contain 20,000 acres of ploughable laud, especially claimed their Warmest praise, Messrs Donald Reid and Hy. Clark botu agreeing that the much vaunted Tieri Plain must now hide its diminishes head, the Matukikuki being far superior to it- We shall await the report to be given. [Mr Bastings, the member of the Commission, who left Clyde for Dunedin on business purposes on Monday morning last, purposes to join the party at the lower end of the c >untry to be inspected ]