Page 7 Advertisements Column 1

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 23, 14 June 1851, Page 7

being chiefly of grass and flax, though doubtless formerly of timber. To recapitulate, there are three divisions of the great plain—the agricultural portion—the rich part of the high plain including the tract north of the Ashley, and the central plain. The second section affords a space of landjjof about 700,000 acres, admirably adapted for depasturing sheep and cattle, and is worthy of being managed in a way to become J^entually more valuable than if left to support -•'-'■-rock with its natural growth;' but the third is of such comparatively poor soil, and is so destitute of timber, water, and other necessaries for immediate occupation, that it will probably for some time remain in its natural state, which however, except on the north, bank of the Courtenay, where manuka. * scrub only grows, will afford grazing for large herds. Both of these divisions will in time be sown with "English grasses, which are found to succeed here, though only roughly scattered on1 the surface : and then the former will maintain four.or five times as much stock as now, and the latter perhaps eventually support as much as the former would do at present. ■ : The part of the Canterbury district next to be mentioned is Banks' promontory, which is chiefly composed of rugged, and, for the most part, wooded and rocky hills, with several bays and harbours, leading into which are rich and beautiful vallies, ok rather ravines, as they are insignificant in size. Of the harbours, Port Victoria, situated in the N.W. corner of the is the most important, as it is accessible to the Plains both by land and water. It is merely a deep bay, and open to the N.E., but it is very easy of access, and as the water shoals for a considerable distance to seaward, and the holding ground is good, it affords a perfectly safe anchorage for vessels within a mile or so of the Port Town, I/yttelton, which is situated in a smaller bay, where vessels of 150 tons can anchor, not far from the shore, in shelter from all winds. The only unavoidable danger to vessels in this harbour is when a heavy swell, which is caused by violent S.E. gales, rolls into it, and a N.E. gale sets in at the same time. According to the expe - rience of the residents here for many years, this coincidence is not frequent, and is only liable to happen once or twice during the winter months. However, if commanders of vessels take the advice given by Captain Stokes and other experienced nautical men, to moor ships and anchor on the "N. shore, where the water is deeper, and as the swell sets less heavily than on the southern, there is no risk. There is not much culturable land upon its shores, and no timber except at some height above the beach. Akaroa, near the S.E. corner of the promontory, is perfectly land-locked, and though rather difficult of ingress and egress, owing to the steepness of the cliffs at the heads, is one of the best harbours in New Zealand, but the S.E. swell penetrates it as well as the other parts of the coast. There is a limited quantity of available land on some o£ the streams that fall into it, which bears a fine growth of timher, and offers some tempting spots to those who would sacrifice advantages of investment for love of picturesque scenery and retire's ment. For, unfortunately, this splendid harbour is completely cut off from land-communication with the plains by a lofty range of hills, and its principal function (until roads of a difficult and expensive character be made) must be that of supplying other parts of the settlement with sawn timber, firewood, and fruit; which latter is grown to great perfection by some French immigrants who settled there in 1842. Pigeon Bay and Port Albert are narrow deep bays open to the northward, which, as well as Port Victoria, being very accessible, have afforded shelter to the numerous whaling vessels, that habitually frequent the coast, for the last sixteen years.|There is not much level land there, but the soil and scenery are perfect, and there is some excellent grazing land adjoining them. The Avon and. Heathcote join near the beach, and form an estuary, at the entrance to which there is a bar, with about 11 ft. at high water, and 5 ft. at low, this channel affords the means of conveying all heavy goods fronrLyttelton and the promontory to the plains. ' There are three small inlets, Ikuraki, Piraki, and Koahoa, on the southern shore of Banks' Peninsula, which have been occupied for many years by shore "Whaling parties, and where small vessels have anchored when taking oil from the fisheries. Bold headlands and lofty picturesque cliffs break the coast line of the promontory, between which there are several'bays and indentations, whence a great deal of timber can be supplied to the rest of the settlement, and where those who. can bear confinement, will be compensated by romantic home , scenery. f Banks' promontory is a mountainous tract, a ; considerable portion of which is covered with forest, containing only small and isolated patches of culturable land: but the open hills are well adapted for I grazing, particularly those with a northerly exposure. It is of volcanic formation, and the soil of the vallies is being constantly renewed by the wearing of the rocks above. (To he continued.)