Longbeach.

Manawatu Herald, 16 February 1892, Page 2

Longbeach.

The Christchurch Press publishes , a most interesting account of a. visit -puid to the Longbeach estate^ th^v ; property of Mr John following resume will give sg|a*naßa : of the magnitude of the operatiQpjsf. carried on by the ownar :— The feed 6 .^ has been remarkably abundant all through the season, all the large , areas of grain crops have turned but , well, and there are now considerably over 2000 acres of rape and turnips , that are promising all that could be desired. Close on 4900 acres were put down -in wheat, 1000 acres .in barley, 1100 acres in oats, 65 acres, in peas, 50 a res in golden tares, and 8 acres in rye. In addition to these are 50 acres in mangolds and 12 acres in potatoes, whik.f)3o acres of grass and clover were itiown for hay. The grain harvest commenced about sth of January, a.ul since that time 84 reapers and binders have, been busy cutting it down and binding into sheaves. On the day of my , visit there were fully 80Q hands em- ' ploj r ed, and between 280 and 290 horses engaged in, drawing the machines, carting to the stacks, and other necessary work in connection with the harvest. . This "army of "men. and horses take a lot of feeding, and Sir Hanks jtotd me with pardonable pride that, during the month of January he put through' 62 sacks of flour, representing : no less than 4400 4-Jb loaves of bread. He had been in that bakehouse . nine years,. using from three to four/ sacks of flour per week when,, tie- first went to' Longbeach, but ( the, . men on the place had increased, anct /' the weekly consumption of flour had' risen accordingly. Prom , 800lb to 9001 b of plain cake were feeing baked. and sent out to the harvest hands daily* in addition, of course,' to a large quantity of bread. During the week the butcher had killed one bullock, Und, 115 sheep and the consumption of tea, sugar, &c M would } jbe also very considerable. It will be interesting just here to note that for - the yoar ending 81st December last the rations alone for the workmen | amounted to no less than 452500m--1 money value at station prices,, and included 98,9801bs of bread, 81741bs -: of tea, 19,7881b5,0f sugar, 14,0441bs of currants. 5082 sheep and 51 > bullocks. In addition to the faim and general station hands, blacksmiths wheelwrights,' painters, carpenters, saddlers and harness makers, butchers, bakers, and others also find pernminent employment.