“OUR TRIP TO THE AWATERE.”

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 160, 20 February 1869, Page 5

“OUR TRIP TO THE AWATERE.”

(Continued from January 30. J Leaving the hostelry at Templeton’s behind us, we turned our faces seaward, and after traversing the bed of the river a short distance, ascended again to the high land above on the North bank. From hence we found no road or even track ; but having an idea that Dumgree lay in one of the valleys ahead, we proceeded in that direction for some three or four miles, until we came in sight of a station, near to the Bluff, when we divided, one to examine the entrance to the valley on our left, and the others to enquire at the station in view. Upon approaching it, we met Mr. Lyford, of the Clarence Ferry, on his way to town, who informed us that the homestead before us was Atkinson’s. Turning our horses, we went in search of our companion, who, in the meantime, had discovered a fence, and awaited our arrival. Here on the flat land, below the high ranges, we found the station we came in search of, and after crossing a couple of extensive paddocks, planted with English grasses, came upon the homestead, comprising a number of buildings for various purposes. After disposing of our horses, we walked over to the washing apparatus, which we descried on our right, and which, by the way, was the special cause of our visit. Here we were met by Dr. E.enwick himself, who, with his manager, Mr. Booth, who has constructed the works, kindly shewed us the whole process. Luckily we arrived in time to see the last of the sheep undergoing the process, and some hour afterwards heard the shouting and hurrahing of the workmen upon accomplishing the grand climacteric. Passing up from the sheep-yards, where they awaited their turn, there are two lines or narrow roadways in a circular direction to a square pen, on the side of which is a stage, where stands a man, who seizes the sheep as required and drops them into a bath below containing hot water, heated to 110 degrees, in which a small quantity of soda and soap has been dissolyed. In this bath the sheep are shifted by men standing on each side with instruments not unlike a long house brush, for two or three minutes, when they are assisted up an inclined way on to the draining-stage, where another man stands, and, as required, drives them down inclined ways to.the cold water bath. This is flie most important part of the process. Four men are stationed in tubs breast deep ; two on the outside, and two in the middle of the bath. Overhead are two wedge-shaped spouts formed with iron plates about twelve inches wide, the openings or jets m which can be enlarged or reduced as desirable. At the heads are boxes with a contrivance for increasing the pressure of the water, which is conveyed in close spouting from a reservoir formed in the end of

a gully at some distance. Under these spouts the sheep are held by the men (who work in pairs), who turn them about, as required, thoroughly cleaning and flushing out the dirt, already softened in the hot water, leaving the skin clear and x’osecolored, and the wool even and straight as if combed. As quickly as washed, the sheep proceed up another inclined way into a grass paddock above. As we have before stated, as many as 800 per day are completed by this process, which not only improves the wool, giving it a peculiar softness and lustre not seen in cold washing, but must also improve the health of the sheep. The supposed loss in weight of the fleece by the expulsion of dirt, is about 30 per cent., the average weight of fleeces being 31b. We next visited the shearing shed, where a large number of hands were busily engaged in shearing, sorting, and bagging the wool in readiness for shipment; together with other buildings devoted to the extensive business of the run, which comprises upwards of 21,000 acres, and con tains a large amount of rich, flat, agricultural laud on the southern side. We cannot take leave of the subject without saying a few words in praise of the owner of tins station. It has for some time been evident that unless wool-growers were determined to improve their business like other producers, they would inevitably be ruined by the low prices which deteriorated stock would bring in the English market. These improvements were needed in the quality and breed, as well as in the condition of the wool; but Dr. Renwick was the first in this Province, if not in the Colony, to take determined steps in this direction, and we have no doubt but he will And his reward in the increased price obtained when his produce reaches London. jSTor is this all; for improvements of this kind will cause a larger number of work-people to be employed, and thus he will be a public benefactor.

Leaving the Dnmgree Station, we (that is to say, ourselves and the Law) rode away in the fine pleasant evening towards the Maxwell pass, our nearest way to town, and which one of our number had been through once before. There being little indication of a separate track, we trusted to the previous explorer, who felt sure he was leading right. When fairly into the Pass, one shrewd spirit vowed we were in the Tayleur Pass, and that below us at the bottom were the telegraph poles, and he would go down to see whether he was right or not. Meantime, two of us kept on our way, but missing the track for a minute or two, we called out to the one below. He, coming up after finding the telegraph poles a mirage of the desert, and the Tayleur Pass a delusion as to its existence there, chanced to come upon the track we had lost, and vowed that henceforth he should be the leader of the party—an unlucky resolution for him, as he afterwards found to his cost. Ah ! Modesty : thou art a virtue little possessed by most of us—even by us who humbly writeth this plain story of our ravel. Pursuing the track, and making our way towards a gate which was in sight, we went along solitary siblings in Indian file, till, after many ups and downs, we came to another gate, which the previous explorer said we would have to go through ; but off cantered our new- leader to the left, in the direction of the settingsun, finding nothing but a deseited hut to reward his pains. As we looked for a place to cross over the brook, so that we might reach the gate, we cooed for our companion to come back again, which he did, and we all took the track again. Up a valley we walked our steeds till we got to what we might presume was the top of the range, where there burst upon our sight a view of wide-spread wierd beauty. The approaching night threw a grey transparent gloom upon the pass down before us leading into the Tayleur, and upon the hills on the other side. In the middle distance the plain stretched away afar ill more lightsome tints, and in the extreme background the distant mountains stretched along the horizon from east to west, standing out sharp, clear; and purple against the sky, which still glowed in the rays of the set sun. After descending from our high position to the' bed of the creek, our shrewd; leader set off at a canter, leaving two of us to plod quietly through the roughness of the creek side in the increasing darkness. Once Or twice in our wickedness we wished our fast friend might be paid out, as we knew thht if he kept to the left side of the gully, he would get into grief. We purselves crossed the creek, and kept along the Blenheim side till we got to the Tayleur •Valley, when we made quicker way,' and arrived at Blenheim safe and sound, though pretty i stiff and > hungry. Here our story ought-to end; but an inquisitive reader may ask, “ But what about your other

friend ; I suppose you found he had got to Blenheim long before you I’V ; . ■ JTot so; for it appeared, guided by an unlucky star, he had kept to the left side of the ; pass, and where he expected to ride into the Tayleur Pass, he was brought up by a precipice, which served upon him and his horse a “ perpetual injunction;”, Along the .edge of this odious pit, the horse and his rider plunged about in the ,darkness, foaming and sweating, but all to no avail, till they retraced their steps sufficiently far back to cross the gully like any other Christian. About an hour afterwards, our worthy companion reached the city of streams, we hope, none the worse of his adventure.