Outside View of Feilding.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 76, 13 December 1890, Page 4

Outside View of Feilding.

[Canterbury Times Travelling Correspondent.] This inland town is situated on the main line of railway, twelve miles from Palmerston, and, as is usual with most towns along the railway line, has its name painted on a board. At the first glance one would think its proper name was Light's Denbigh Hotel, from the promi nence given to the signboard of that hostelry, which adorns the railway stat on, and which quite elipses the station sign board. The Post and Telegraph Offices are placed alongside the railway station, and ran by a sep rate staff of officers. I may be wrong in my conjectures but it struck me that the present rush of business did not warrant the keeping of two different sets of officers to run these shows, and that one and the same man might do duty as Post and Station master without impairing the efficiency of the service. But let that pass. A ride in the train at 6.30 a.m. gives one an appetite for break fast, and Hastie's Hotel looms right in front of you, its balcony brimming over with boxes of choice flowers looking like a huge conservatory, and where breakfast awaits the traveller. Feilding is the capital town of the Manchester Block of some 110,000 acres, and is one of the best laid out towns in New Zealand—that is, if you reckon size. It has no less than three railway stations, and some thirty miles of well metalled roads situated within the Borough. Like Palmerston, Feilding indulges in the luxury of a "square," on which is erected the Band Rotunda, and the firebell. The town, as you would imagine, spread all over the country, and sadly wants a good iron band placed round it, screwed well up, and when houses were brought closer together it would make a very decent, clean, and well-educated town. The block of land was purchased from the Government by an English syndicate, promoted by the Duke of Manchester, the Earl of Denbigh, and Colonel Feilding. The block was called after the Duke, the town has the Colonel for godfather, and to prevent the Earl being left out in the cold, they heaped the balance of honours upon him, and took the loan of his name for an hotel. The Colonists' Aid Society, as this syndicate was called, have sold the whole of their land, and hundreds of prosperous families are now—after having their fair share of hard work— reaping the reward of their untiring zeal and industry. The land was sold to these settlers on the most favourable terms' viz., the first three years free, the next fiver years 5 per cent, and the next five years 5 per cent increase on L3 per acre. Of course, certain improvements were required from the settlers by the syndicate during the first term, and money was lent at a low rate of interest to build houses. No section was sold until good roads had being made all through the block, and every man had means of access to his farm, How different to the lands that are now sold by the present Government. A settler buys a farm in order to make a home for his family, and it is sometimes years before he can prevail npon the powers that be to give him a road to his holding, that will enable him to bring his produce to market. The success of the Colonists' Aid Society is due in a great measure to the energy displayed by Mr Macarthur, the Society's agent at Feilding, who is ever watchful of the interests of the settlers. Situated as this township is in the centre of a large and thickly populated district, there is every indication of its becoming a wealthy and prosperous place. The land is truly magnificent, and for grazing purposes cannot be surpassed ; the only draw back being immense number of stumps that encumber the forest lands. Feilding seems to be a favourite spot for Canterbury people to squat in. Numbers of "Canterbury Pilgrims" are settled here, and are quite enthusiastic over the unlimited supply of grass for their stock. Messrs Jones and Peters the well known Timaru contractors, have just-settled down on this block, each having a nice 500-acre farm some few miles out of town. They have just com pleted the railway works through the Manawatu Gorge— connecting Woodville and Palmerston—and have now given up the pick and wheelbarrow, and become deeply interested in Lincolns, Herefords, and labour-saving appliances for farm work. The office of the Feildin Star, a local tri-weekly paper, adorns the main street of the town, and is a neat building. The proprietors and staff of this paper are unique in their way. they won't drink, can't smoke, and don't swear—under after 5 p m. Still the paper flourishes and contains the latest news. The churches of Feilding are spacious and commodious buildings but very far apart—this is not to be wondered at, when you remember the size of the town and scattered houses. There is no of land agents, and auctioneers and . Dr Charlton late of Kaiapoi is located here, and is still the same favourite as of yore. Football flourishes with unwonted vigour, and the local Club boasts of an unbeaten re cord. The convincing ground of the football, cricket, and running Clubs adjoins the town and is spacious and well kept ; a band-stand and dancing platform proclaims the fact that people attend the meetings; to enjoy themselves in other ways than watching sprint races. Periodical cattle sales are held by Freeman R. Jackson and Stevens and Gorton, buyers. Ten miles out from Feilding stands the village of Sandon, remarkable for nothing in particular, unless the peaceful disposition of its inhabitants and the quietness of its one street count for anything. The land around Sandon is mostly agricultural, and seems to produce fair average yields of grain. A tramway connects the village with the Foxton railway line, and the guard on this tram considers himself quite equal, if not superior, to the silver-buttoned autocratic porters one sees on the real railways. The cemetery is placed in a romantic spot on the top of a hill half hidden by titree scrub. Adieu Sandon. Neither the quiet streets, nor even the attractive cemetery, would make me wi h to reside there. Ten miles from Sandon you cross the river by a substantial bridge and enter Bulls, Bull Town or Clifton, for it rejoices in all three names. Two banks do business here, several pubs minister to the wants of r the traveller, and Colonel Gorton, a gentleman who name is associated with the Maori wars. is the local auctioneer and land agent of the district. This gentleman spares no pains to point out the beauties and advantages of life in Bulls. I am indebted to him for much valuable information, and take this opportunity of thanking him for his kindness and courtesy. Strangers visiting Bulls, will always find the Colonel ready and willing to give every information in his power. The land around Bull Town is essentially agricultural and may be valued at about L8 per acre. Sellers ask a little more, and buyers offer a little less, but I think the price I have named a fair average. I noticed one farm of 500 acres for sale, divided into thirteen paddocks, with house of twelve rooms, men's houses, and thirty acres of standing bush, at the moderate price of L11 per acre. (To be Continued next issue.)