A TRIP TO NELSON FROM CHRISTCHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 90, 18 April 1877, Page 2

A TRIP TO NELSON FROM CHRISTCHURCH.

Mr Robert Chudley writes the following account to the Christchurch Prets of a visit he recently made to this town:

Having lately had a very pleasant run as far as Nelson, it occurs to me that there are njany iv Chrigtclmrclj w j, 0 would derive both health and pleasure by taking' a similar course to shake off the rust which gathers on the many stay-at-homes. Our community too would receive a direct benefit, for instead of the solemn countenances now so prevalent iv our midst, they would receive a light and brightness which would radiate and cheer all their friends. A return ticket from the U.S.S. Co. gives the bearer the advantage of going and returning by any of the company's splendid boats. The captains and officers \t-hose acquaintance you make during the trip are found to be polite and attentive, particularly to the ladies j and one regrets to leave the boat aud its officers. '

Calling at Pieton, which is about another such a place as Kaiapoi, we go on through the French Pass, points of interest beiti" observed all through. We then arrivp at Nelson. On landing we travel' by tramway about a mile to the city, and find "all we require at the Masonic, aud with the homely kindness of Mr and Mrs Collier and their staff are quite comfortable. Having refreshed, I take my first stroll. The atmosphere is laden with the aromatic perfume of tho numerous hop plantations, hundreds of pickers of all ages being busy securiug the crop. Nelson is also noted for its vineyards ono of which I took an early opportunity of visiting, and was warmly received and kindly entertained by the intelligent and industrious owner and cultivator, Mr C. Frank The crop of l%ck Hamburgh aud White Sweetwater grapes waa a freat to behold, the bunches being ot good -Uniform size, and the berries large and even, covered with a beautiful thick bloom, giving them a finished

appearance, superior to many grown under glass. Many of the vines have been plantedover twenty years, and the arch laden with ■ delicious grapes eight feet in height, leadintrj up to the cottage some three chains fromthe entrance, 'has a most tempting effect "on'; one of the beholder's senses. The vines ar_s mostly planted at about six feet distances, trained espalier fashion, and carrying twenty to thirty fine bunches each From long experience the cultivator has been able to select the varieties suitable to the climate of his adopted country, uiauy oE those brought? from the Continent at the commencement » proving to be useless here. The whole vineyard is in the highest state of perfect luxuriance, without a trace of. blight or mildew anywhere, and is well worth a visit.

Leaving the vineyard, but not all the grapes, I took a turn up a zigzag- to the top of a sugar loaf hill. It was the time of sunset, and the quiet city— many beautiful villas with their pretty grounds, not all nicely kept though— and the hop gardens and orchards tinted with the goldeu rays of the setting sun, gave the whole scene a charming effect and much to be enjoyed by a dweller on the' plains. Accompanied, by an intelligent French horticulturist I went up the Maitai Valley to the bush for. ferns, but before starting assisted him to prepare some exhibits for the flower show to take place that day. On being asked to admire a viue growing in a 10-inch flower pot, and bearing eight bunches of grapes, I surprised my friend hy being able to tell him that the 1 branch;, wai brought, from the outside ahd passed through the pot, a very old dodge. Returning _aden with ferns, I visited the flower, show in the evening, and.was much pleased with thb five display ;of fruit. The highly-colored apples; fine pears, large netted melons, 5 , and the hundreds of bunches of grapes^ forcibly remindedime that I was away from Christchurch. The flowers were, however, not'of a high standard, though LI was fold^they are fine in the spring, and the less;s_idabout the pot plants the better. The eight scarecrows forming the centre line looked a,s if ,J they were ashamed of their- position, *Tf I had the ear of the Committee I jvonld suggest an improvement in the prize-l ist;-" by offering awards for distinct kinds of grapes.* I was surprised to find that there., were no special prizes by gentlemen who take ah interestcin such matters, and would hint to' them how a few guineas, as prizes for the ,best collection of grapes, would tend' to foster a pleasant rivalry among the cultivators.

Next morning my friend's ten year intelligent son, with his school satchel filled with grapes, accompanied me 'to the waterworks, every house having water laid on from this mountain-stream source. The ' streets of Nelson are not more thronged than thee of Christchurch. Ido not think a lady, with her pony carriage athwart the busiest street, could with safety remain a full half hour in that position in Christchurch, as I" witnessed her do in Nelson— on a Saturday too. A twenty mile run by rail brought tne 'to Foxhill, the Oxford of Nelson. The scenery is fine, and not too niany passengers. . f l.re-. presented one-half the numner when the'train left Foxhill on,Su_d_y,j 4th March. But th_i Taupo's whistle is sounding at the wharf, and I must be off. „ . ' "