From Ashurst Road to the Wanganui Harbor Board Block

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 4 September 1886, Page 3

From Ashurst Road to the Wanganui Harbor Board Block

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On leaving the Ashurst road the first place I notice is that of Mr T. L. Smith. Mr Smith has euly been in this district about twelve months, but he has made rapid progress, having felled abeut one hundred acres of bush, erected a good deal of fencing, and built a large hon.se and a blacksmiths shop, which the settlers find very convenient uo doubt. The next place we uutioe is that of Mosers Brough and Lewis. It is understood that the above named firm iiitt»u<l.s to start a Butter Factory this suurmor, and if they receive sufficient enruuragcineiit, in the shape of milk from the settlers, to turn it into a CWse and Butter Factory as soou as possible. It is hoped they will succeed, as a factory of that discriplinii would be a great boon to the district. As wo pass on the next placo of interest we come to is that of Mr G. Abli worth, one of the oldest sottlers on the Taonui road. A glauce at Mr Ash worth's garden is enough, to convince any one of the suitableness of the soil for growing apples. The trees being remarkably well grown and healthy. In another quarter of a mile we find ourselves opposite Mr Cowan's, another old settler on this road Mr Cowan has just added two large rooms to his dwelling house, and as a result he has now a very convenient aud comfortable hetae. After crossing the Mangaone stream we are attracted by the superiority of Mr O. Pleasants farm. Without doubt this is by far the best farm on this road. It is beautifully undulating, well watered, also au excellent piece of well preserved shelter. We were impressed by the quality and neatness of the improvements. The house, garden, woolshed, stock yard, dip, pens, and fences, give ample p:eof that the owner of the place thoroughly understands his business, and believes in keeping everything in first class order. Turning to the rightabout we find ourselves looking over the Belvedere estate, owned by Messrs Pringle Bros. In our opinion this property takes second place. Messrs Pringle Bros, also occupy Mr Bray's which is a very desirable property adjoining their own. After standing here so long we thought we would go in, and see if we could get some lunch, but after inspecting the windows and blinds, we came to the eenclusion that they were bachelors, so we continued our walk. After another half an hour's walk we find ourselves travelling through fljftf Manson's property. Mr Manson owns the land (about 5000 acres) on both sides of the road running from the Valley and Midland road to the Harbor Board Block. There is about 500 acres laid down in the best of imported grasses, and bushfelling is in lull swing. On looking back we are persuaded that we have passed through one of the best localities in the Manchester Block. We have only to look at the hundreds of acres of bush that is felled, and the miles of fencing that is • erected to judge what sort of stuff the settlers are made of. Five yeara ago it was a <Jense forest, to-day grass paddocks, a result se satisfactory could not be obtained in any other way than by indomitable pluck and persevering courage. mmmm ___