A VISIT TO THE DEANS' ESTATE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2444, 4 February 1882, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE DEANS' ESTATE.

By the old residents of Canterbury the Deans.’ estate is regarded somewhat in the light that the holy city of Mecca is by the good Mussulman. Here the true pioneer* of that civilization, which has since spread throughout the length and breadth of these fertile plains, the Deans’ brothers, first set up their habitation, at that time in the wilderness, but a wilderness whioh has since, under the care of their descendants, truly blossomed like the rose. Around this estate cluster historic remembrance* of the early days, whioh perhaps exist nowhere else. Hero the weary and footsore traveller, sent like the spies into the Promised Land, from ont the detachment of colonists, that advanced guard of civilization, known as the first four ships, met with hospitable welcome. In a somewhat lowly looking residence, still extant on the estate, no less a personage than bis Majesty the Emperor of Canterbury in those days," John Robert Godley, whose statue stands ia the centre of the locality be loved so well, dwelt for some considerable period of his reign. Here the first fruit* of civilisation in the shape of flocks and herds and cultivation made their appearance on the vast plain, as yet destitute of the snag villa residences and trim gardens whioh now meet the eye of the traveller on the road. It is therefore scarcely to be wondered at that the Riocarton Estate, apart from its own claims to notice from beauty of situation, Ac., has a strong hold in the memories of the older colonists of Canterbury. So, when Mr John Matson, after conference with the present hospitable owner of Riocarton, invited mo to go thither to inspect some choice stock recently imported, and also take a look over the estate, I accepted the offer with pleasure. A tryst was made, and in company with the genial John and a most acceptable travelling companion in the shape of a lone lorn orphan from Western Australia, who was on his travels, I set forth on a burning hot day with a cheerful nor’weeterblowingto pay the promised visit. To relate the anecdotes which Mr Matson poured forth on the road, diversified by moving accidents by flood and field related by our West Australian friend, would fill far more space than could well be spared for the purpose. Suffice it to say that story followed story in rapid succession. It was quite a a treat to listen to the unctuous satisfaction with which Mr Matson descanted to my West Australian friend upon the sale of the portion of the Deans’ Estate, whioh will be remembered by many. “Twenty-nine thousand pound* for twenty-seven acres,” said John emphatically, “ What do you eay to that ? Anything in Western Australia to lick that, sir ? Not yon.” The mere passing of the spot, on which by-the-bye several fine houses are being erected, and a regular township springing up, seemed to awaken in Mr Matson’s mind the same feeling tbst possesses an old soldier when fighting his battles o’er again. The memory of past eloquence, whioh bore such golden fruit, appeared to exercise a wonderful influence over him, and like the Heathen Ohinee, a smile that was childlike and bland broke over his countenance. A short drive along the Riocarton road, with its handsome residences fringing it, brings us to the house, where we are warmly welcomed by Mr Deans. Here, perhaps, it may be as well to give a general idea of the extent of the estate. It is divided into fourteen paddocks, varying from fifty-three to six acres, without taking into account the belt* of plantations, which are numerous and afford good shelter for the stock. These plantations, with the mill on the property, total up about fifty acres. The Avon proper runs through the entire estate, and a branch of the same river bonnds the north side. This is what particularly strikes our West Australian friend who, used as he is to get drinking water out of a muddy hole with a splendid residuum of clay, is in ecstaoios at the pure sparkling water whioh abounds. The total extent is 371 acres, and in the sunlight with the rich pastures and splendid cattle grazing, the bush giving the background, it certainly looked quite too perfectly charming, especially to one used to the arid plains of West Australia.

After a short bait and inspection of the many curios collected by Mr Dean* during hi* recent visit to the old country, amongst which a veritable Scottish shepherd’s crook takes Mr Matson’s fancy highly, we stroll forth to interview the lord of the shorthorn harem, which Mr Deans trusts will ere long rival the celebrated Weathcrby herd. If pedigree, color and constitution, can effect it, then there is now at Ricoarton the nucleus of one of the finest shorthorn herds in the Australasian colonies, if not still farther afield. The first animal led forth for inspection is a perfect gentleman of the bovine race. This is the shorthorn ball Duke of Gunterstone, bred by Colonel Gunter, of Weatherby Grange, Yorkshire. He was bought there by Mr Deans during his recent visit to England, and arrived in grand condition by the Lady Jocelyn. Ho is really a splendid animal, with a skin as fine as silk, a magnificent head, tail well set on, grand slope from shoulder to hind quarters, and massive fore arm. His length is great, and yet though this is so there is a symmetry about him which shows at once that he really is, what Mr Matson after a critical examination pronounces him to be, “ a regular aristocrat.” The pedigree of the hull is such an one as rarely comes to the colonies, and not only Mr Doans but Canterbury generally is to bo congratulated on having secured so grand an animal. How highly Colonel Gunter, himself one of the most noted breeders of shorthorns in England, thought of the bull may be gathered from the following extract from a letter written by him to Mr Dean*. He says— 11 1 bred Duke of Gunterstone expressly to use to my Duchesses and in my herd generally.” The grandsire of Duke of Gunterstone, bred by Colonel Gunter, was sold to the Duke of Devonshire for £2OOO, and Mr Deans was asked 1500g* for a calf by the bull Duke of Gunterstone. This shows most conclusively how thoroughly aristocratic a bull he is, and it only needs a glance to confirm the impression caused by a perusal of his pedigree. That is as follows: —Duke of Gunterstone (43101, Ooato’s H. 8.), 'calved April 4th, 1879 ; by Oxford Cherry Duke 2nd (34792, 0.H.8.), dam Wild Eye* Bth, by sth Duke of Wetherby (31033), The pedigree also includes, amongst others —Wild Byes sth, Wild Eyes 39 and 23, Stout, Duke of Richmond, 2nd Cleveland Lad,and Duke of Northumberland. It will thus be seen that in the pedigree of Duke of Gunterstone is combined all the most fashionable short horn blood in England. Wild Eyes sth and Bth wore bred by Colonel Gunter and Mr A. Maynard; Wild Byes 23rd and 39th by Mr Thomas Bates ; Stout by the Earl of Zetland ; Duke of Richmond 2nd, Cleveland Lsd, and Duke of Northumberland by Mr Bates, of Kirklevington. This certainly should be good enough for the founder of what it is hoped will be a herd of shorthorns unequalled in the colony. With our grand climate, the feed, &5,, and other advantages, Mr Deans ought certainly with such a bull le able at no distant date to send forth to other parts of Now Zealand and Australia shorthorns from the Riooarton estate which for purity of blood, <kc., osn compare favorably with the old established herds of the colonies, such as the|Brunswick, &o.

Of course, in order to do this, it is neosr. sary also to secure that the matrons of the herd shall be equally good with the bull, and in this also Mr Deans has been remarkably successful, having secured three of the finest heifers of the Brunswick herd. Taking leave of our aristocratic friend his Grace of Gunterstone with regret, we next interviewed these ladies, whose pedigrees are of very high order. The first one to claim attention was a beautiful roan heifer Duchess of Brunswick stb, calved 29th July, 1879. She is by Duke of Alvie, and her dam Duchess of Brunswick 2nd, by Earl of Genova (3X063.) This heifer, for which Mr Dears paid 500 guineas at the Brunswick sale, took first prize in her class at Adelaide. A splendid handler with a magnificent head and great symmetry, she was well worth a visit to look at her. Bozt to her was Flower of Brunswick 3rd, a roan by Duke of Alvie, dam Butterfly's Flower by Boyal Butterfly 16th. For this heifer Mr Deane paid 250 guineas at the same sale. The third of the futura matrons of the Kiccarton herd was Scan Summerton 3rd a beautiful roan, by Duke of Alvie, dam Boan Duchess 4th by Earl of Geneva (31068) This was also bought by Mr Deans at the Brunswick sale for 300 guineas. Mr Matson waxed perfectly enthusiastic ove: Duchess of Brunswick, and even our West Australian, who for some time had been iu a state of delight, owing to the temperature more nearly approaching that of his native lair then he had met with for some time, also added his meed of appreciation. She is really a pearl of price, and well worth every guinea of her cost. Palling through two or three paddocks, ankle deep in rich feed, Mr Deans next introduced us to a very fine young bull, which, though not possessing the grandeur of

I appearance and quality of ' Duke of Gunterstone, ia yet a splendid animal, giving every promise of furnishing into a magnificent beast. This was Summeitcn’s Hurl of Brunswick, calved 18th September, 1879, got by Brunswick Summerton, dam Geneva’s Countess of Brunswick, by Earl of Geneva (31068 imp.) This bull was bought by Mr Deans at Mr Gardiner’s sslc in No* vember, 1880, for 400 guineas. He has a good head, capital quarters, and a coat like silk, and, as has been said, promises to he a very fine hull. Whilst in the stack yard where wo saw the bull, Mr Deans called our attention to s couple of magnificent rams, one a Southdown, and the other a Border Leicester. The former especially was a real beauty, showing to perfection all the points of the breed—close compact wool, deor shaped legs, breadth of chest, and back, and small but handsome head. He was bred by Mr H. Webb, of Streetly Hall, Cambridgeshire, a son of the celebrated Jonas Webb, his flock being descended entirely from that of the latter. The ewes of the Southdown flock number five, and were bred at Sandringham by the Prince of Wales. Throe of them are by Bath, a ram bred by the Prince. This sheep took the first prize at the Centennial Show of the Bath and West of England Society in 1877. He was also a prize sheep at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, and again at the Royal Agricultural Socie'y’s meeting ia London in 1879. One ewe is by a shearling exhibited by the Prince at the Royal Agricultural Show at Bristol in 1878, which took highly commended, and is of the Sou'hf.mpton blood. The remaining ewe is by a highly commended ram at Bristol, from Mr Tooke’s blood. The Prince, it may be noted, has taken forty first and forty second prizes since he first exhibited Sonthdowns. Tbs Border Leicester ram, which is a splendid animal also, is by a Polwarth ram, exhibited at the Highland Society’s show at Kelso in 1680, standing at the head of the first quality family of Border Leicester*. His dam, also by a Polwarth ram, cost 195 guineas, the highest price yet received for a Border Leicester shearling. The Leicester ewes, five in number, are from the flock of Mr A. Smith, of Oastlemains, B«t Lothian, which was formed some eighteen years ago by a picked purchase of Mellenden, Linton, and Spnogwell’s blood. The first rams used were Polwarth and Mellenden, but for the last fifteen years the Polwarth rams. The Southdown* are in lamb, so that there is every prospect of a grand flock of these fine sheep being formed at no distant date. Still parsing through gates, and anon crossing the river we came to a paddock in which there were some fine heifers, one out of Pcrdita (imp.) by Prince of Canterbury, and a grand calf Dy Summerton’a Earl of Brunswick out of one of the heifers, and in another some fine draught mares, with foals at foat, by Chancellor of Blackball (imp.) Here also was a calf of great promise by Leo, bred by Mr MoDongal, Victoria, from Daohtsa of Brunswick 3rd. This concluded our view of the stock, and, after luncheon, another walk through the estate afforded an opportunity of seeing what a grand place it is. The waterpower is utilised by a small undershot waterwheel, which drives the machinery used for oat crushing, mangold slicing, chuff cutting, As., on the farm. The stream literally swarms with trout of a large size, and hares ia plenty also were seen. The effect of the various belts of plantations, which have been so designed as to shelter the stock paddocks, when seen from the southern side, is very pretty, as also is the view of the house, with its bright flower garden. As a whole it would be very difficult to find an estate equalling the Riocarton in the colony, possessing as it does rare natural advantages, which have been improved upon by art in many places. The highly bred sheep and cattle, of which we have given a brief sketch, will, in a few years, once more revive the prestige of the Riccorton herd, which many old settlers will remember stood exceedingly high in ysars gone by. Not alone is this to be looked upon as meaning profit to the individual most directly concerned : of oenrse this has to bs regarded, bat there is also a wider and broader view to take, via., that of the great influence the formation of a shorthorn herd and Southdown flock of such excellence as those projected by Mr Deans will have upon the prosperity of the community as a whole, which must be of infinite benefit to all. Mr Deans has some of the beet blood, both in cattle and sheep, that England can produce, and it will be bard indeed if the progeny does not reflect credit upon his judgment and enterprise. H.