A VISIT TO THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF SOUTHLAND No. 1.

Southland Times, Issue 665, 3 May 1867, Page 2

A VISIT TO THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF SOUTHLAND No. 1.

■■ ■ «»■" — ■^—r ■■• ? , (MOM OTJB SPECIAL OOBBBSPOKDBirr.) The confidence in the productiveness "arid ultimate prosperity of thetjProvinoe of ; Southland that I expressed after my visit to the Eastern Districts, has been intensified^ during my leoent trip through the agricultural portion of the northern part of the Province. In accordance with instructions, I shall in this series of letters endeavor to be as " matter-of-feot " as possible, curbing imagination, and dim rather than over- ' paint the country I have traversed — in short, give a plain unvarnished statement of what I have seen, and the information I have collected, while not ignoring the right to comment on " men and things" by the way. In this, my introductory letter, road-side gleanings will form its chief feature, leaving an epitome of the statistics collected during my trip of inspection for future communications. This I deem the most desirable course, inasmuch as by figures to show the real productiveness of the various districts, a table will have to be constructed with care. Leaving InvercargiU by the North Road, you see a number of handsome suburban residences, the dwellings of men of business in town. The buildings for the most part are substantial, and the gardens attached display great natural fertility and careful cultivation; among the most conspicuous are those of John Blacklock and W. H. Calder, Esqra. Further on, the road is dotted with market gardens and small farms ; in all directions grain stacks, the plough, potato-pickers, and every other species of farming activity is most observable. The ground under cultivation is good average land, and the produce equal to almost any I have seen from seaboard ground in any of the colonies. Crossing the Waihopai Bridge, and proceeding north the scene becomes more interesting to the Waikivi Bridge, where farming "in earnest" is being carried out. The farms on the Waikivi Plains are large and numeroas, threshing, and other operations increase in extent, and a higher plass of machinery is employed. The settlers in this district are energetic, fencing in many directions, and making other preparations for a great extension of operations during next season. It would be invidious to compare one farm with another, when all display perseverance, . industry, and systematic working. Still, a few stand out in bold relief from all others, which call for more than a general notice. From this to Wallacetown, nearly all the available land— and it is almost all available — is either occupied or being pre- ; pared' for occupation. After passing several farms with comfortable dwellings and sighting Wallacetown, the appearance is most imposing. The first thing that "strikes the eye is ' a long line of stacks about twenty-nine; in number, and in : adjacent -paddocks, knots .of eight or. nine, here and there. This I found to be' the farm of John Morton, Esq., (not ihe Company's as: previously stated). Itis indeed a splendid estate, containing 850 acreß, 200 under crop with wheat and oats, and a large portion of the balance laid down with English grass; The whole is fenced in, divided into paddocks, and dotted wjth buildings of every discription required for extensive farming operations. The site selected ibr the homestead is good, and the land. excellent to a degree.; The .amount of labor and capital expended has been great. The produce of this year's crops has been large, and although the average given of ; the produce of this farm exceeds others in the district, all have been good. Leaving Wallacetown still north, vacant land begins to become conspicuous although at short intervals farms of no insigni-. Seance are met with, all looking healthy. This especially is the case with respect to the New River flats and ridges, the land of which is most fertile. Here cultivation is being carried on with great spirit. Fine home-like houses fringe the bush and ridges, among which the* residence of James Wilson, Esq., and" other well-known gentlemen, are conspicuous from the roadside. To proceed, at a short distance further on I came to the farm of Sutton, Brothers, bordering on the Waianawa Plains. This is an estate most noteworthy—if it i 3 not a model farm, it has the appearance of one. It is finely situated,. the land is" excellent, farming appliances complete, and systematic operations being carried on. I had not the opportunity *of inspecting the whole of the ground, but from what I did see, and a sample of wheat that was shown me, there can be no doubt it is one. of the best in the district. . From this to Riverton the clearings become few arid far between. The Waianawa Plains for many miles are tenanted only by a few cattle and horses. As, however, you approach Flint's Bush Road, buildings, cultivation, "and fenced-in-land again become pleasingly observable, and this continues until Riverton breaks upon your view* Having reached this point, ißhall dismiss the agricultural question as far as description isconcerned, with simply stating that there is not one acre in tan of all the land I traversed that could be considered bad, and' that nearly all, with drainage, would make excellent farms. It is a series of fine undulating plains, dry grassy ridges, serpentlike ever-flowing rivers, and picturesque belts of bush. I shall now turn my attention to the roads, their present condition, and the probable state they will be [in during the winter, leaving the notice of Riverton and its suburbs for my next. i The road from Invercargill to Waikivi Bush, with the exception of a few small patches is unquestionably good, and at a very small cost" would be excellent during the winter season. From there to Wallacetown, leaving the Junction Hotel, there is about half a mile of road between fences that is already nearly impassable. This is, however, being deep drained and crowned, but unless it is metalled before the wet season sets in it will be worse than .ever, and the money now being expended, thrown away. From hence to the Makerewa Bridge, Wallacetown, the line is in good condition, as a whole, but there are patches here and there that will require attending to before winter. At this point I cannot omit expressing an opinion that the bridge over the Makerawa does credit to -the Government and the builder— it is massive, substantial, and equal to any that I have ever seen in Victoria of a similiar description. From Wallacetown to the New River the old road, though now in good condition, . will bs very bad in a few months, unless the new road over a portion of it, now in t'ae course of formation, is completed, and repairs made as far as the New River Bridge. This bridge should be the pride of Southland. I know not what it may have cost, but I do know that it is one of the most exquisitely designed structures I have ever seen. It combines beauty with substantiality, artistic taste with undoubted strength. From hence to the Wainawa Plains a great deal has been done to make the road, and that with considerable success. Deep drains have been cut, marshy flats encrusted with timber and gravel, and dangerous creeks rendered passable. Still something more is required. The Waimatuka creek is a dangerous crossing, and a bridge of some sort is much required. The remainder of the line to Riverton, as far as my observation went, can at a very small cost be rendered passable. In fact I was agreeably surprised at tho extent of work already done, and afc the operations now being carried out. It is most necessary, however, that some system of maintenance should be adopted. The gravel roads are admirably adapted to the level country, and when once consolidate?!, with very little attention, would be good for years, while if neglected, they are cut in a few months and rendered next to useless. The attention of the Government should be especially directed to this ; at a small cost, a gang of "repairers" could be kept up, rad their labor* would not only be a great advan* tegfrtft tho Kittlw, but also a, aavine to thoGo,

verhment. If the present works in' hand were -completed, and this system of maintenance adopted, I think the voice of complaint would be a very infantile murmur during. the coming winter. [ There can be no question that the North Ejad is a most important one, andshould receive consideration, butitis equally certaiathatvery much has been done, and that it requires only careful attention to prove satisfactory to all- concerned. The road from Invercargill to Biverton, via Wallacetown, is" not of that fearful description I had expected to have had to encounter. Much as may have been said to the detriment of Southland, there is no doubt on my mind that in proportion to her extent of country and means, her road-making operations will compare most favorably with any other Province in New. Zealand.