Birmingham, New Zealand

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 28, 20 August 1889, Page 2

Birmingham, New Zealand

(notes by oue own cobkbspondent.) Unlike ita great English namesake this ' town is, or will ere long; be a health resort of no mean pretensions. ■ Situated as it is some seventeen hundred feet above the sea, one feels at once the bracing effect of the elevated position. A coach runs on Monday and Saturdays leaving here punctually at 8.30 a.m., and on the return journey at 3 p.m. The ; fares. are. on^thesame scale as railways, 36 miles for 10s, that being, the return fare. Mr Lowe's' Hotel is presided over by the family, where one gets home, and home comforts, and such attention as cannot be found but in the very best class of house's; Cream, butter and cheese o f the richest, with yegetables which would make a China*' man yellow with jealousy. . To sum up the wonders,, we get all these served most excellently at a lower rate than Feilding hotel charges. '■'■ ■ ' ''■■"■ :', A large river flat clearing has just for.; the first time revealed a. loVely reach, of ! the Oroua river, 600 feet below, to view;, from the road. In the vicinity, top, grow , the Prince ofWalesfern,a; todea, so inucb,^ prized for its beauty. In a gorge some ' miles beyond is to be found a plant almost similar to the large leafed begonia, potted, specimens of which we hope to see at the next horticultural show. Many and rare specimens of plants which, like the todea, only grow at over a thousand feeb elevar tion, are to be found near. As a honeymoon resort, or for couples with or without families, the hotel is not. second to any within a hundred miles. An excellent library with music in plenty and. that of the sweetest. Among other curiosities noticeable, one may be pardoned. for mentioning a marvellous collection of Cape butterflies which Mould delight the heart of a naturalist, and which no money would buy. ' •■' The settlement increases apace and the whole of the sections in the-- Apiti survey district, as well as the whole of the small farm sections, are taken up. There is now every prospect of the telephone wir» being erected within the year, and nextmonth the Government are to consider the question of opening' a post office at Apiti, 11 miles beyond Birmingham and Ss9 from Feilding. In two months : from now Mr Daw commences running on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. W&. commend the bracing air for a summer, trip and just to see Mr Lowes' "black maire" fires on cold days will do one good*