TIMABU TO RANGITATA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 207, 6 December 1879, Page 2

TIMABU TO RANGITATA.

KAKAHD DISTRICT,

Most people of taste are fond of a good house, and much time is often taken up by them in selecting a nice site. The happiness of a home is much enhanced by being surrounded with beautiful scenery. Nature has done for the Kakahu district in this case what art often attempted in vain to accomplish without her aid. Mountains and dales, rivers and brooks, wood and water, are all provided by Nature to this highlyfavoured portion of S Canterbury. The traveller ss he rides along the summit of the hills, and gazes far away into the recesses of the mountains, , muses deeply of iho reasons and purposes for which these great works of nature were created. Man, divine inspiration informs us, was created to glorify God, and to praise Him for ever. We are .also told that a garden with every earthly comfort was provided for man, before he was called to take up his abode on earth. But we are not told that this planet was created solely for his use. What then was the object that the originator had in view in bringing this earth into exist'nee 1 We wait for the answer. Commencing our ramble westward, from our usual starting point, Temuka, we first meet with that powerful element in nature —water ; crossing tl e Temuka River, our course lies nearly due west, until we come to the first work of art—the Kakahu bridge —an unpretentious, wooden structure, built by the Temuka Road Board, several years ago. The work is substantial and the materials good for a bridge. Near by is a concrete culvert, which nature seems to have repudiated, as she has scooped out a new channel for herself, and (like as is the case with most of the Canterbury bridges) planted out of the water, so that the traveller may perform his ablutions before setting foot upon so sacred a proof of man’s skill ami enterprise. On scooping out the new channel the devastation of man’s l.audiyorks has brought to light fragments of the ancient forest, which, in the past ages, was (ho haunt of the nmn and other New Zealand living wonders. Ail over this district trunks of large trees are to be found, m a complete state of pres-rration. The Kakahu may properly befsaid to commence at this bridge, which crosses the Kakahu River, jnat before its influx into the Hi Hi Temoan * and Temuka Rivers. The land here is flat and the 1 oundary 'limited ; the Kakahu is something like the Waifohi—pear shaped, but its smallest end begins when the broadest end of the former begins. The land is in full cultivation a good part being in English grass. Leaving the bridge, to our right, in full view, is to he seen the residence of Mr John Hay -a neat timber building of some two storeys, beautiful in front with one of the richest orchards to be met with anywhere, the trees bivng literally loaded with fruit of all kinds.

The orchard and grounds, comprise some four acres in front, and about an equal quantity at the back. The residence is about seven or eight chains from the road, the grounds faking away as one approa- lies the house by a very neat gate and meandering carriage drive, surrounded by English and colonial trees and shrubs. Every tl.ing about this homestead seems to have a solid ring about it—the massive gates, the substantial fences planted with quiclca, the neat, strong built cottage, fronting (o the N., with a warm-looking veian lah, and nicely-arranged flower plots. The carriage house, granary, and daily are all substantially built, and present » comfortable appearance as one approaches. Mr Hay original y purchase the land from Government some 12 years ago, preferring an agricultural life to squatting life in the McKenzie Country, where Mr Hay formerly lived as a sheep farmer. When Mr Hay came to the district nothing could have been more in a state of ualnru — whole plains of flax, no bridges, no r> ads, no Knees, no cultivation, anywhere except a little on the Farl'inscm Downs. Now is

seen the most beautiful -sw'.-n'D <>f' English grass anywhere to lie found. The land is well fenced, and the crops far advanced. The Oxford-Temuka rdlway Dsurveyed tu go right through Mr Hay’s orchard. We hope to he pardoned for raying {hero is no necessity for this. A belter route would have been to pass he tween Mr May's home stead mid ilie bibs io tin- 8. A not very ('Mih"ii ■*ivg coulu o' (‘3l connect tiiis ]i::e wife t!i Waifcohj Flat, and thereby oive acco s s tn Uio markets for a v* i ry bhdmutl ( *f pro uco. kuc near prosinutj to the Winches'or Station makes ■< semii’mly wroim to carry ‘lie line ao far A. Let us hope toe Chief Rail way Engineer will change t‘>c rent to in the way indicated. Mr Hay farms about 800 acres—about SO a res in wheat, an equal quantity in oats an 1 barley, and the rest in English gross. The Kakiilin River passes through the centre of the farm, and water is to lie found in every paddock. The 'high condition of the flocks and herds contrast favorably with the star-c ! appearance of the same ten years ago. Mr H *.y has spent a largo amount of money in improvements, winch, it is to be hoped, lie will he spare ! to see recouped. The next farm is that of Mr Godsell. For-m-rly this farm.comprising about 800 acres belonged to Mr E. EMbiow.who purchased it from f>.e Government. Mr Pl'hrow ■-pent a 1. rge amount oi money in planting, fencing and building. The blue gains w:dch so beauf ties the p nice, are now large trees Mr Piibrow was succeeded by Mr tiiidsel!, and his then partner - , Mr Trainer Him ivio iliwaisii one dark- niglit in the Temuka (, re k, leaving ilie present owner (I e sole h-ir and possessor of tie* land. Mr ' Cod.-el! has farmed the land well, and produced, wo learn, several good (Tups ; the present crops look we'l. A good par* is in Engl'sh grass The buildings, fences, eli-., are of lire usual make-s! ift order. Turning southwards, towards the downs on crossing the river, wo come noon Mr Sharp’s farm of IdO acres, 70 of which are in mils, ami the balance in English giass Mr Sharp has, at tines, had good crops, and the present one al«o • offers well. The homestead is nico'y shuat- d near the river, surrounded by a clump of blue gum trees ; the road now Mehta the dowr s. On the right is the largest educational reserve in Canterbury, being no less than 1690 acres of excellent land. Formerly the farm was occupied by our good old genial friend, Mr Win. Walker, who sold his interest to Mr John Kellmid, the present tenant. Mr Kelland has 280 acres in wheat, 40 in oats, and the remainder ch'efly in English grass. The land has a northern aspect and is mostly Moping downs, with a rich black soil on a yellow clay subsoil. Mr Kelland grazes largely both in sheep unci cattle for which the fine shelter from the high winds makes it w. 11 adapted. Passing along, on the right, is a email farm of 50 acres, belonging to Mr Alex. E;,;trick. Formerly it belonged to Mr Win, Wells, who sold out and left for Australia. Mr Patrick paid, wo believe, £lO per acre for the farm, which shows that the Kakahu land is considered worth a good price. On the left is Mr John Patrick’s farm, of 126 acres. The houses on all these small farms are—although wed situated —of a primitive kind. Passing along, tba traveller comes upon the Hilton township, projected by Mr Onnsby, a part of whose estate it was when purchased from the Government. Tiie township is making some progress, and possesses a gi od public school and schoolmaster’s house. At present the school is vacant, for some reason or other. This school soon changes its teachers, and at present it is without a master, although it has had several good teachers in turn. In the schoolroom service is held every Sabbath—twice a month by the Presbyterians, once by the Episcolians, and once by Wesleyana. Good meeuiugs are invariably held. Hilton Hotel, built by Mr Krartley, now belongs to Mr Tindale. the present occupant. There is also Mr Bradly’s store, and the usual blacksmith’s shop. Several neat white cottages are also to be seen, on the cross street fronting to the W. On enquiry, we found all the occupants were making a comfortable living, but it is much desired that the mining interests of the district were better developed. Leaving Hilton, a few hundred yards brings ns to the road that leads to the Rangatira Bush and Arowherma Downs. After a ride of about a mi'e uphill, a beautiful piece of scenery opens to view. Low down is the Rmgatira Valley, running for several miles on almost a dead level. On the E. side of the road Mr Cochiane, the present proprietor, has hurt a neat cubb house, and about the same distance on the W. side is the homestead of Mr Russ'-11. Hear by arc the sheepyards used by the former o - • nera, Messrs Ford and Newton, when the land was a sheep run. The [ res-nt proprietors farm about 600 acre-. They bought the land about 18 months ago, atari auction sale, at from Li2 io Ll 3 p'-r acre. They have been cropping largely, and the present season seems to favor them. Indeed, all along the downs, wherever they face to the N., the crops took healthy and strong.

Messrs Newton and Not'd have an excel lent crop of wheat on what was lormerly Mr Fox’s farm of some 800 acres, and other farms, which have been returned to them again by the purchasers at the sale. There is also a good farm belonging' to Messrs Fyfe aud Parsons, of some 400 acres of good laud, on which the crops also look well, but it may be remarked here that wherever the hind has a southern or western aspect, the crops look sickly through too much wet, warm sunshine, would to them bo a great blessing. We may hero also remark that the Geraldine Load Board deserve great credit for the liberal outlay on roads, culverts, etc. The roads along the top of the downs lias proved a great boon to the settlors. A ruadalongthe valley would beanotlui great improvement. Some day the railway whisle will bo hoard in this picturesque little spot. The Rangatira Bush, Hire its fellows, is fust passing away. Returning by the same route and again passing through Hilton, we make towards Mr Wighy’s run. On the flat are several small farms belonging to a family called Leary. After a short ride we come upon Mr George Meredith’s lime kilns. The lime stone here crops out of the hills in great abundance. There ia also good building stone, which will, when once the railway reaches it, become valuable for building purposes. Mr Meredith does a good business in lime burning, but the distance from market ia against them. Passing the lime kilns we come upon what is called Mr Wig-ley's township', on

tin- loft of the road which turns up to the Kakahu Bush. This township has a beautiful appearance on paper, the streets well laid out ami the water simply abundant. Messrs Onnsby, Wi'son and Sons, anal Sir Thomas Tam Ted were the principa ; purchasers at the sale, but somehow o r other none of enterprising individuals sc-oiu to have courage enough to try to im_ pruv .« upon the picture on j a per. Anyhow cos usual hotel and bia.-k-miith’s shop are no' yet erected, and we believe the sections could ho bought at no very great rise in price. Turning tu the right along the river bed wo noticed various b'noks of beautiful white marble, and not far distant rite coal field which promises to veiy soon have attention turned to it as a field for prolitable ent' rnriso.

Next cmnes the EDkahu Bum, where a large amount of timber still remains. Mr Cliff had a large saw-mill here.from which for several years he supplied Timaru with exc dlent timber. In tin se days (be roads were bad, and many breakdowns took jdace. This and cither causes led Mr Cliff to abandon the ente -prise, without making the oxpi cted pile. Mr Gfcorge Meredi h now supplies local wants, an aDo firewood, to all and sundry. Over the hill by the road which leads to Beautiful Valley, a few miles brings ns to Mr Feigusou’s stone quarry. A beautiful wiihe building stone is in rbnndance hem. This atone is now being largely m-ecl in the construction of tho Tcmnka Roman Catholic Church, audit was with this stone that Bishop Redwood the other Sabbath performed Ihe ceremony of the foundation stone of tho chnrch fa Whether the gatfs of h—l will be able toprevail against it wo are not ab'e to say One thing is said of it —that it is impervious tn wet, and in this, at least, it is superior to the far-famed Oamaru stone. It polishes beautifully, and some very nictd v-cxeentod tombstones have been made from it. The supply is inexhaustible ’.'drat with good building stone, good lime stone, ami plenty of coal and firewood, this district is destined to become notorious n 1 over the colony. All that is wanted is money io start a company.

Tina even, webehove,- is in the district, in i's native state, bold has been not, and from imi icatioiiH that we are familiar with we believe a gold held will be found here if it will ever be found in South Canterbury. We only wish we had n three months’ camping: out on a prospecting tour when the discoveries would, we are sure, be a rich reward.

Leaving the southern part of Kahahu we wend our way north, up hill and down dale, through swamps and over creeks. The scenery on the left is something magnificent. Gully after gully sloping down the sides of the mountains with their thick evergreen bush, like frills adorning the godessof naturecompeling one to pause and behold the wonders of this wonderful land of ours here. A land slip lays bare a portion of the body to show its feet of clay. The mountain torrents has peeled off the skin and disclosed its legs an rl arms of brass and iron, while its summit, glistening in the snn, displays its head of gold. The scenery is truly what may be termed awfully grand. To any one seeking health wha.t better could they have than roam amongst these rugged hills and mountains the very contemplation of the freaks of nature in dispensing of her gifts elevates, invigorates,consolidates wi tli better thought such as are septical and set all things down to chance. Down in the ralley is to be seen Mr Foster’s large farm. On the beautiful slopes of these downs the plough turns up the Holiest vegetable soil we have yet seen in the district, and all along past Mr Boucher’s on every side the richest vegetable mould is to be found. Mr Foster’s residence, when looked at from the hills, reminds one of the Spanish ampitheatres. All around are hills like raised seats,enabling the beholder to tain in, at a glance the whole scene.

Another ride of a mile or two brings ns to Gapes’ Gully, so named, we suppose, from the the owner of this pretty 1 ttle spot being Gapes. Mr Gapes’ ‘residence is neslled in the native bush, fronting to the east,and taking in the view all down Patrick's Gully. With the mountains in the background, the beautiful evergreen native bush on th left, and the fine litt ] e orchard socarefull tended to by the owner, one could not dc sire a better spot to live in. Mr Gape seems as happy and as contented in thi sequestered spot as his luolher did .when lie was elected mayor of Christchurch. Put the day is advancing. We must climb (he hills, and here we msy remark a hot blazing sun, and a refractory horse, who would not bo dictated to, made us perspire freely, while we tied him by a flax fine to (he opposite side of the creek and belaboured him (we need not say) in not the b-st of tempers. A few good weltiugs however seemed to inspire confidence, for, after several good dressings down, he seemed to think obedience was part of his duty, and to leave the responsibility of being - bogged with the superior animal, although he sometimes doubts the soundness of the owner’s charily and judgmen when he allows him to stand hung up at a hotel door till he get warmed inside and out.

Another scramble up the hill and we are at the top. Another grand view opens np —the Valley Bush to the far N., the Waihi Bush to the N.E , and Pleasant Valley to the W. At our feet there opens up a grand panorama. Mr Slack’s large farm here spreads out before us. and passing through several gates we come upon that gentleman’s residence, almost, buried in bush, — Native bushes and trees of all sorts. The buildings are part of wood and part brick and most commodious, and are conveniently situated, with a beautiful lawn in front.' Here we remarked trees of the finest s3’mtncfry and growth that we have yet seen in any part, and only 10 oi 12 years have passed over their heads. Through the ground passes what may be termed an iron-bound creek, for evidences of iron ore being in the district are not wanting. Mr Slack must have spent a large amount of money on this f arm. He has hail many natural difficulties to deal with ; the want of roads to the centres of population was also a drawback.

The gardens and orchards are also tastefully laid out and planted. In the verandah a large collection of pot plants add considerably to the beauty of the scene, and the French windows opening out upon a lawn soft as a tapestry carpet._ a stroll through the enclosures is most enjoyable.

The residence is approached from the N by a carriage drive and bridge over the creek. Down at the lower end is the wool sheds cow sheds, and sheep yards. Much

of the hind is in English grass. Some of it wants drainage : it is well fenced, and has b'-en well laid down, but to brnglh) farm into its present state of cultivation .must have cost what would have ruined many u poor mam Mr Slack has been nmro or less a breeder of shorthorn cattle ; the dim itc is- not yet we think dry enough for this class of stock, but in a f;w years once ine hind is again broken up and laid down a second time, and once a few more clearances of flax and s'-ruh have bd n made this farm will be one of the best in the distant.

W<* do not know the amount of acreage exactly, but we believe it is something like 2,000-a,--res, all freehold, purchased from Government at the upset price. The crops look well and the grass is abundant. Taking leave of Mr Slacks we turn hom e ward, passing Mr Cameron’s 100 acre farm Messrs Moore Bros, ami Mr William Patrick’s A considerable amount of - Topping is to be seen ou both sides of the valley Messrs Moore’s residence is situated on the S. side of the downs Mr Patrick is chiefly a dairy tanner, with about 300 acres, 30 of which is in wheat, and the rest in grass Next Mr Patrick’s is Mr Findlay’s 200 acres ; the crops are but middling, .and ieqnire sunshine Mr Findlay has also a farm farther on, where he has resided for maiv yeai - s Mr Hudson’s 100 acre farm finishes this group

A short distance brings ns to the farm of Messrs Pobert and James Skinner. These farms of 1100 acres originally belonged to Blr A. Ormsby, who sold it to the present owners before the late rise inland. Mr Skinner bas about 260 acres in wheat and Mr James Skinner has the same.

Tim farms are good land and wel farmed. Mr Roberts’ residence is the same which Mr Ormsby built, but added to. A clump of trees and a beautiful running stream adorn the homestead. Mr James Skinners’ residence is on the roadside going to Hilton, and

I'oim’,' oa a vising ground it commands a good view of the country. Hear by is the farm of Mr William Beattie’s of 160 acres, 50 of which are in wheat. The next in order is the two farms of M ssrs Errol Brothers. Here is to be seer, crops and grass in abundance. They are both to some extent dairy farms, and have good cattle and sheep. The pa blocks are wed fenced in and altogether comprise over 500 acres.

A little further on is Messrs A. Brown and H. Rayner’s farm, formerly possessed by Mr Speedily, who now resides in a small section close by, in a neat little cottage. Messrs Brown and Raynor farm well, and will doubtless make money. The crops look well and with a good yield good crops well harvested and good prices the year promises to be a prosperous i ne for the agricultural farmer.

The last place on'our homeward journey is Mr A. Mein’s lesidence on which he spent some seven hundred pounds. The house is a two story one built of wood, facing to the road that leads to Hilton. It is a very neat and most convenient residence with stables and outhouse attached. The whole section is about 4 acres and with a nice garden and grounds is most suitable for a private family. We believe it is in the market and could be bought cheap.

We have now hurriedly gleamed at the Kakahu district which is a very large one with many large farms, it is bounded on the north by the Hi Hi Temoana. Few districts possess greater abundance of all the requisites for making a country prosperous. The land for the most part is good and well sheltered for stock, with plenty of water. Much of the land is in crop which on the whole looks well and in no danger from drought.

Good roads intersect the district. It is hut justice to say that the Geraldine Road Board lias not neglected the Kakahu although there is much yet to bo done. The Oxford Temuka railway will connect the interor with a bridge over the Temuka River, now under construction. When this is done, Kakahu will be sought after for its mining, its timber,and its good agricultural lands.

We hoped to take in the Pleasant Valley and Pour Peaks, bat space will not allow. We will include it with Waihi and Woodbury. Next Saturday ws will give an account of Geraldine, its rise and progress, its institution, etc.