A TRIP TO ALBURY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2428, 29 December 1880, Page 2

A TRIP TO ALBURY.

[)!Y OUR SPKOIAI, IiIOPOKTKII.] Yesterday, our special reporter paid a visit to the rising township of Alhury, situate about ;50 miles from Timaru, in the direction of the Mackenzie Country. The majority of the paddocks on either side of the railway line are laid down with grass, with here and there a field of oats or wheat. In nearly every instance the crops arc looking well, being in ear and ripening. On several farms, where the fences abutted on the railway line, blue gums are planted, which, in the future, when grown up, will be very ornamental. It is surprising that planting of trees along the various lines of railwa}’ i.i the colony has not been more general followed up. Passing through Pleasant Point township and nearing the hills, the scenery is of a rugged nature, relieved here and there with green pastures, which is very pleasing to the eye, in contrast to the dry native grass. A large quantity of maiden laud is being ploughed up, ready for cropping next season. In one large paddock, a little past Sutherland’s siding, hay making is going on, but we missed the merry little creutariß incident to such proceedings, gambolling about amidst the hay. After passing the Cave, where there is a fine large hotel, kept by “ mine host” M. Wildermoth, the line traverses a wide valley with hills on either side, the Opawa river, now almost dry, ever and anon, coming quite close to it. Alhury is at present the terminal of the railway in this direction, but the earthwork formation has been continued about six miles further. At first there were 140 men at work, but before they were knocked off by the G-orernmen’t till after harvest, the number had been reduced to about sixty. They were then at work seven miles from Alhury on Messrs Gillingham and Sons’ land, where there are two or three terraces to cut through. At the present time the extension of the railway to Fairlie Creek is at a standstill.

The township of Albury is very prettily situated and when buildings are more numerous and sections laid out and planted it will be a suburban attraction for residents in tbe larger towns and cities of the Colon}', it possesses two large hotels, the Opawa kept by Mr McLeod, and the Hail way Hotel, by Mr (I. J. Palmer, wlio, until recently was the well-known partner in the auctioneering firm of .Messrs Palmer and Collins, in Timaru. Both these hotels arc well patronised by the up-country residents, “ mine hosts ” being very obliging and consequently popular amongst them. Albury also can boast of a photographic studio, the enterprising artist being Mr J. 0. White, who announces that lie bails from Melbourne. He certainly must find the contrast between that city and the retiring little township to be very considerable. There is also a blacksmith’s shop kept by Mr Cutbbertson, who. from the manner in which be exeaxtis the orders entrusted to him must bo a very able disciple of Vulcan. Mr J. Hinckley, an old friend of many a Tiinaruite, has a fine range of stabling, a little to the westward of the Hailway Hotel, the accomodation and comfort of horses placed under his charge being his nine qua non. A short distance from the Opawa Hotel, there is a largo store, at present unoccupied, but which, we understand, will shortly befitted up and used as a general store by Mr B. Hibbard, grocer, of Timaru, and no doubt be will be largely patronised by the settlers. Mr Boyd Thompson, of Timaru and Temuka, butcher, lias a branch establishment here also, under the management of Mr Charles Childs ; and Mr l). Cooper has a smithy near the Opawa Hotel.

A bridle track lias been recently completed over a range of bills known as the Brothers, opposite the township, which leads to fleraldine, and is about eighteen miles distant. The Opawa and Tengawai rivers conjoin in front of the township. On Monday evening last, the festivities incident to the day were wound up> by a ball, at the Opawa hotel, the long room being improvised for the occasion. It was largely patronised, and the company thoroughly enjoj'cd themselves till long past the break o’ day. A cricket match between an eleven chosen from the Fairlie Creek Club, aud au eleven of the Albury Club will shortly take place, at Albury. liecently a children’s treat was given by the School Committee at Fairlie Creek when Mr Weddersell generously allowed the use of his grounds, for the sports to be held iu. It is needless to state that the youngsters well appreciated the Committee in thus enhancing their enjoyment of Christmas.