THE LINCOLNSHIRE DELEGATES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1851, 28 January 1880, Page 3

THE LINCOLNSHIRE DELEGATES.

Messrs Grant and Foster, the delegates from the Lincolnshire farming districts, on Tuesday visited the Northern district, accompanied by Mr J. T. Ford, president of the Canterbury Agricultural Association. They were met at the train at Kaiapoi by Mr M. Dixon, West Byreton ; Mr J. Guild, Ohoka ; Mr Walls and Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, of the Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club ; Mr Blackwell, Mayor; and Mr Isaac Wilson, chairman of directors of the woollen factory. The party proceeded to inspect the factory, after which they wore driven through the Maori run, Woodend, Eavenswood, and Waikuku, thence to the Hon. H. B. Gresson’s farm of 817 acres, where the visitors took great interest in the mode of management, rotation and growth of crops, and breeding of sheep and cattle. They then went over to the farm of Mr John McFarlane, president ot the Northern Agricultural Association, at Coldstream, which is about 2000 acres in extent. Here, also, a hospitable reception was accorded, and having inspected and made inquiries in reference to the growing crops, the grazing of cattle, and other matters, they proceeded along the North road in the direction of Fernside, inspecting the crops by the way. At Bangiora Mr Blackett, the Mayor, received the party, and gave some information regarding the advantages of that district as a locality for settlement by well-to-do farmers. The party returned homewards by the Drain road, pausing at the farms of Mr Threlkeld and Mr Guild, through the Ohoka district, and to Mr James Walls’ farm on Kaiapoi Island, where they expressed some satisfaction with that gentleman’s stud of Clydesdale horses, as well as the splendid crops in the neighborhood. They returned to town by the evening train. To-day they visit the cattle sales and the land office. On Thursday it is proposed to visit the Leeston and Southbridge districts, and on Saturday they will go to Malvern. The delegates from time to time expressed the satisfaction they felt in being aided by Mr Ford’s general knowledge of the country and the particulars which he was eminently qualified to give them on matters which came within the scope ot their inquiries. It is believed that, though in good years in Lincolnshire there may have been heavier crops than those of this season in Canterbury, Messrs Grant and Foster by no means think lightly of the crops of wheat and oats inspected in North Canterbury, nor are they inclined to underrate it as a grazing district. No pains were spared to give the visitors a fair estimate of the good and inferior land.