OLD FRIENDS IN SOUTHLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1316, 17 March 1885, Page 3

OLD FRIENDS IN SOUTHLAND.

The special reporter of the Matanra En.dgn in his rounds recently visited the much run-down Titipna Valley and the country between Titipna and Ht-dgehope streams, a large part of which was some two years and a ha'f ago p urchased and settled by Mes-ra Mali and Meason, of Canterbury, who were then considered bj’ many people fools to invest their money in such an enterprise. Subsequent events however, have proved otherwise. Two and a half years ago there was not a settler, there.was not a fence, there was not a sod turned, now in the particular part referred to there are upwards of T3OO acres under crop and broken up. Mr Ooomer has close on 400 acres, about 150 of which are in crop, principally oats, which shoo'd mn 60 bush-ls to the acr--all round ; and competent judges say that in some parts the yield will reach 70 bushels per acre. His wheat should go 40 bushels, while some 30 acres of turnips are as fi eas one could wisu tosee. Ttie next farm is that of Mr Claike, who ins some 150 acres broken up and chiefly in oats, also looking well ; while next to him is Mr Allolt, with a large block also principally in oats, but, with some wheat, mostly lookng well, especially the oats. The most interesting feature on this farm is a large overshoot waterwheel 32ft in diameter, built entire y by Mr Al'ott himself for chaffcutting and threshing purposes. It is well worth a visit, show* ing as it does how a persevering, ingenious man can use the forces of nature for his own benefit. Next to Mr Allott is Mr Duffell, who has fenced and broken up a considerable block, now fallow. Behind him is Mr Essery, who has built a good house and broken up some 150 acre) tor next year. Behind him again is Mr Moorhead, with some 130 acres of oats and more broken up, Messrs Allot and Coomer have excellent gardens, which keep them supplied with all ordinary garden produce. Their potatoes would be difficult to excel. They have also planted a goodly number of forest trees, principally piues, which are doing wonderfully well. All are now busy harvesting, and in the course of a week or two the country-formerly a vast uncultivated wasie inhabited by the rabbit and rabbiter—will present not only its present smiling ho-nesteb Is but the fruits of industry in the shape of stacks of vaiuaole corn in every direction. The Road Board has lately done some good v/ork in making cuttings and bridges, which will enable produce to be brought easily to market. Perhaps the most marked effect of settlement botli here and in other part of Southland is the almost total extinction of the rabbits by systematic poisoning by phosphorised oats. Where formerly one saw rabbits in every direction, now you do not see more than half-a-dozen in a day’s rile.