A VISIT TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 614, 4 January 1867, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF SOUTHLAND.

(SBOM OTJB SPECIAI OOBBESPONnBHT.) NO. in. Leaving Morton Mains, I proceeded towards the celebrated Mataura Plains. The country is picturesque, and extremly rich in herbage. A short distance on I came upon the station under the management of Mr Findlay. It is well positioned, and although the cultivated land is not anything like so large as at the station I had left, a good deal has been done, and work was being carried on with spirit. Here I had an opportunity of closely watching the working of the steam plough. This was the first opportunity I had of so doing, the one at Morton Mains not being at work, owing to the long steel-wire rope which attaches the engine to the ploughs havin« broken and the new one not arrived. This wonderful piece of machinery, presented a most extraordinary appearance. To attempt a readable description would be only to expose the deficiences of my mechanical education. I shall therefore content myself by simply sketching what I saw in as few words as possible. As you approach you see the bold outline of an immense steam engine, pufiing and snorting, while at a considerable distance on each side, is an immence four furrow plough that is attached to the engine by a strong steel-wire rope, 1200 yards long. The block intending to be worked is marked out, and what* is termed anchors placed at each corner, round which the rope passes, and thus the ploughs are pulled up and down, by the rope worked by the engine, one plough going up and the other going down simultaneously ; these anchors, or two of them, are easily moved from placo to place as required until the block is completed, when with the aid of a powerful team of bullocks the engine is moved to the next block, and operations again commenced. It is astonishing with what rapidity the work proceeds. The furrows are deep and straight. It is amusing to see the line of monster agricultural implements emigrating from place to place — first comes a long team of eight, ten, or twelve bullocks, then follows the " iron snorter " puffing and screaching, to which is attached the minutive dwelling of the engine driver and his assistant, then comes a miscellaneous collection of the other impliments employed, and a sledge upon which is another diminutive house occupied by others of the workmen, whose duty it is to be near the machinery during the working season. It is deemed desirable that this arrangement should be carried outinasmuchas the ground being turned up by the steam plough is generally at a considerable distance from a station, and in order to start actual work at a very early hour the engine fires are not entirely extinguished during the night. This cavalcade when in motion has a most comical but pleasing appearance. Before I proceed further on my road,£[ may mention, that in the list of stations under the management of Mr Hamilton, given in my last, I omitted to name that another station is in formation, at the Mable Bush, containing 7,000 acres which will be laid down in Enghsh grasses. To turn again towards the Mataura. A little farther on I sighted the station of Messrs Hall. It is prettily situated under the lee of a romantic belt of bush, with a Northern view similar to that previously described. The soil is excellent, the vegetation luxuriant, and the stock healthy ; no extensive agricultural operations are being carried on. The quantity of land that the station contains I did not ascertain, having ridden through without halting. A short distance further on I reached the fine tablo land that skirts the borders of the justly famed Mataura plains. From the bank opposite the Eadendale Homestead (Duglass and Aldrice), the residence of Mr William Grail, the manager, the view is truely grand. To look East the plain with its numberless paddocks and fine cultivation extends to the Bight, and ia lost to sight, while to the West its clear outline is visible to the slopes of the Hokanuies. This station is one of the best, if not the best, known as the company's. It contains 12,000 acres, a large portion is under cultivation, all fenced in and divided into 15 paddocks. There are gum tree groves running parallel wifch the road to Mataura Estate. The Enghsh grass and clover fields on this station are specially worthy of notice. One field that Was being mowed was considerably more then knee cieep, and as thick as it is possible to imagine. It was estimated that it was cutting over 4 tons to the acre. As an instance of the value of cultivation for pastoral purposes, I may state that £3000 was last year received as rent for depasturing sheep not attached to this station. There are buildings of every class required for properly carrying on the extensive operation of the farm, including a large, well stocked garden. There is fruit and vegetables of almost every name and descrption, in great abundance. Here I had the pleasure of for the first time in Southland, enjoying a feast of large and delicious strawberries. The following is tiie divisions of the land under actual cultivation, but in addition to this a large quantity more is being turned up : —

The next station I reached was the Mataura Estate, (Homes & Co.) under the management of Mr Macaulay. This is an extensive and valuable station, containing 25,500 acres of rich pastoral land. From the verandah the view is extensive. The plain can be traced at a glance to the foot of the Hokanuies, the squatting station of Messrs Hill and Wentworth, and an indistinct outline of the Waimumu plains, said to be quite equal if not superior to those of the Mataura. Starting from thafc'point, and scanning the Otago Range, the clearings of Messrs Turnbull, Mr Bennett (late Richardson) ; Messrs Duglass and Blyth; Dr Menzies ; and a solitary tent on what was once the hope of Southland — the Mataura gold workings can be seen. The north banks of the river and the land in that locality is rich, and especially adaptable for settlement. It is to be hoped that ere long all this country will be divided into 4 or 5000 acre farms, for actual cultivation. The Mataura estate has not been much improved, the native grass having as yet, proved sufficient for the subsistance of 11,500 sheep, the number of the stock now depastured there. In this place I may say a few words with reference to Seward Downs (Homes and Co.), which is likewise under the management of Mr Macaulay. I had nofc fche time to visit this station, but the following statement as to its progress may be deemed accurate. The ■Btation comprises 17,000 acreß of first-class laud. The extent of cultivation is not equal to other farms I have visited, but extensive work is now going on, and it is expected that the bounds of cultivation will be considerably enlarged during the next few months. This station contains 17,000 acres of land ; 800 acres are laid down in Enghsh grass, and about 250 in oats, &c, &c. j the ploughing of fresh land is being energetically carried on. The next station I have to refer to, is one of considerable magnitude — the Oteramaki station, under the directorship of Mr James Gall. On this station great improvements have been made ; the buildings are of a most substantial description, and signs oi energy are everywhere Been. The following is a statement of the land undeireultivation : — Enghsh grass 3200 Oats SOO Wheat, rye, &•• „, , 40

Blue gum groves 10 Broken up for grass 600 Total number of acres under cultivation 3350 Stock.— Sheen 3400 „ Cattle 300 „ Horses, pigs, &c. ... 50 Total number of stock 3750 This will finish my report of the distant stations. I have yet, however, to give some account •of my homeward bound trip — Flemington, Woodlands, &c. — and a synopsis of i the whole information I have collected.* * ■ _.. ■ '

Laid dovra in English grass, clover, rye, &c. ... ... ... 1200 Laid down in oat 3 ... ... 1100 "Wheat and barley ... ... 300 Garden, &c. ... ... ... 4 Total number of acres in cultiTation 2604