A VISIT TO THE NORTH-EAST DISTRICT OF SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1102, 5 February 1869, Page 2

A VISIT TO THE NORTH-EAST DISTRICT OF SOUTHLAND.

(BT OXTB SPECIAI) CORRESPONDENT.) ♦— — Nol. It is perhaps desirable in this introductory letter to state the aim and object of my trip to the North-East district of the Province. It was simply to visit country with which I wad not previously acquainted, with a view of ascertaini ing the quality of the soil, the capabilities of the district, and the agricultural progress that is being made. The particular part of the Prdvince selected for special consideration was that of Winton and, the surrounding country. In order to reach this country, I necessarily had to retread much of the ground reported upon in former letters, but this, no doubt, wi'l be deemed excusable, inasmuch as during the past year changes have been made, improvements effected, and cultivation extended, throughout the whole localities previously reported upon. The country which it is now my intention to comment on will , include all the district from Invercargill to Winton on the Great North Boadj embracing all the agricultural land] on each aide for a considerable distance. In an introductory letter it would be unwise to give any statistical tables, and therefore I shall confine my self on the present occasion to giving a statement of the roads, the harvest prospects, and other matter of a genera l , character. THE ROAD3, CROPS, &c. Leaving Invercargill and taking the North (Wallacetown) road, upon crossing the town belt you are struck with the great change that has been effected in the condition of the road. The deep ruts, boggy quagmires, that formerly were the terror of travellers have all vanished, not from the heat of the season, but from excellent roadmaking operations. With the exception of about four or five chains unmetaled, between the fences going from the Junction Hotel to PeUing*s, Wallacetown Hotel, the road is excellent ; even this spot is at present in good condition, but unless gravelled before the wet weather Bete in, all that has already been done will be useless, inasmuch as there being no room to work vehicles out of the deep mud that must form between the fences, the result would be to gradually encroach upon the new laid gravel until the whole of th« stones were embedded in the ' slough of despond.' A petition is in course of signature, soliciting the Government to undertake this work at once. The cost would be but trifling, the road has been formed, there is abandance of splendid gravel in the immediate neighbourhood, and the only cost would be that of carting and spreading. When it is remembered that the whole of the Northern traffic must pass over this piece of road it must be conceded that an effort should be made by the Government to place it in a proper state without delay. With this exception, the road is excellent the whole way from Invercargill to Wallacetown* Having thus stated the condition of the roads, I may glance at the changes observed and improvements discerned while passing along; they have been many and evidence faith in the f lture of the Province. The gardens for the most part have been enlarged since I last saw them, the fruit trees are more heavily laden with fruit, spots which were then barren of vegetation have been placed in a high state of cultivation, and houses then tenantlesa are now teeming with life and activity. From the Waihopai Bridge to the Waikivi all the open land is covered with luxuriant green vegetation. The crops of wheat, oats, and other grain bear a healthy appearance — somewhat backward in growth no doubt, but more than ordinarily heavy. The gardens — the most conspicuous being those of Mr J. Cooper, Mr Boss, and Mr Hannah — presented the appearance of abundant fruitfulness, and flowers of almost every kind can be seen of the most luxuriant growth. In fact all things combine to deepen the conviction that steady progress has been made during the year, and that notwithstanding the severity of the winter and spring; crops of every description are progressing wellto an extent far beyond expectation. Upon entering the Waikivi plains the change that a year has wrought becomes more marked and distinct. Bush-land has been fenced v cleared and cropped, old farms havo been enlarged, and cultivation extended in every direction. I may say that the whole of the available land from Invercargill to Wallacetown is now occupied, and under a good state of cultivation. The soil varies but little in quality from the Waihopai to the Makerawa— being a light fine brown soil of from 10 to 12 inches deep, resting upon a strata of gravelly clay and sand ; being retentive of moisture and easily worked. On the north side of the Makarewa River a decided change in the character of the soil is observable. The allunal deposit is deeper and darker in color. Here is situate the little township of Wallacetown, the centre of a numerous agricultural population. It is prettily situated, and is rapidly progressing. It is round this locality that I have noticed more especially the advance made since my last visit. It has assumed the appearance of a prosperous inland town. It is beautifully situated on an extensive plain extending from the river banks, and is surrounded by large and valuable farms. There is here a Presbyterian Church, which haa, during the year, been doubled in size ; a new school-house is in course of erection, to affjrd accommodation for about 100 scholars. It is a well designed building, and will cost in erection about £150, most of which has been already subscribed by the settlers in the district. Polling's Hotel has been enlarged, and a pound in connection with it is now established. There is also another hotel, a store, a blacksmith's shop, and other buildings of no mean dimonsions, and a cemetery which demands more than a passing notice. It is beautifully situated on high dry ground, bounded on one side by an ever-flowing creek, aad on the other by a picturesque belt of timber. It has been partially laid out, and when completed will be one of the best burial places in the colony. The new race course is an admirably selected site for the purpose. It is situated about a mile and a-half from Wallacetown on high level ground, in a paddock belonging to John Morton, Esq. It commands an extensive view, offering every facility for any number of visitors obtaining a complete sight of the horses during all the running. I do not know of any race* course in the colonies that surpasses it. In the immediate vicinity of this town there are several farms, which, for extent of land, description of building, nature of cultivation, and large operations, are superior to almost any others in the province. Amongst these, I may mention those of John Morton Esq., James Grieve, Esq., J. Blackie, Esq., and others. I visited the whole of these cultivations, and have the satisfaction to be able to report that the wheat, oats, and potato© crops in every instance look well. The farmers all appear satisfied with, harvest prospects, and agreed in the belief that should the next month prove reasonably fine the crops would exceed the usual average; _ I noticed that notwithstanding a considerable increase has taken place in the land fenced and cropped, there is a great falling off in the quantity of wheat sown in this district, but a larger _

quantity of land has been placed under English grass. This tend3 to show that a disposition to give more attention to dairy produce is being generally displayed. In fact everything goes to prove that large quantities of cheeso and butter of a superior description are produced in this district. Leaving WallacetoTrn and its suburban farms behind, after proceeding nlong tho North Road for about two miles, I reached (lie Winton plains. Here is an immense tract of rich flat country of a similar character to the Wallacetown flat, but tho soil I think has more body, although from its situation, being damp and unsheltered, it necessarily has a cold and sour appearance ; the whole of the land could ba easily drained and would then become a splendid country for the growth of English grass. Tho ridges are diy and of good soil, but they are not equal to that of the flats. Here for soms distance there are but fow farms to bo seen, but as you near Byal Bush they become numerous. I was pleased to find in this locality Beveral new farms only taken up and cropped during the year. This remark will also apply to other localities along the Winton road. Proceeding along Ryal Bash, many large farms are met with, the' whole of which look well, the crops for the most part being further advanced than those about Wallacetown, and the nearer I got to Winton, the more marked was the difference j all along the road to that little town, there is abundance of excellent land, adapted for either Agricultural or pastoral purposes. There is lime stone of a good quality to be obtained in any quantity, the country is well watered, and tho scenery pleasing and picturesque. About three miles this side of Winton the ground rises considerably, the land becomes more undulating, but shows no signs of being inferior to thut of the flats. The view as you approach the township is attractive to a degree. About a mile or two from it you see a fine pine tree grove, horseshoe shape, extending down e^ch side, and encircling the little town, which is situated in the extreme bend. The town of Winton is beautiful, and I believe it will some day become large and prosperous. As I have much to say with reference to this particular district I shall reserve further remarks until my Lext.