Akitio Road Board.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3147, 7 March 1889, Page 2

Akitio Road Board.

A meeting of the Board was held on Thursday last. Present—Messrs Handyside (chairman), Harvey and Livarton, Tho minutec of the previous meeting wero read and confirmed, The Treasurer reported balance in Bank £139 16s 2d

Correspondence read from Property Tax Commissioner witlutatatuentof values of real property for three years, commencing on Ist April next, and to be open for inspection by the public; from County Clerk, with copy of resolution re legalisation of roads, and memorial to Minister of Lands re same; from J. G. Cox, applying for a grant of £5 to iniprovo the Tinui Valley road;from Public Works Office re abolishing Public Works Department, and stating that any work in respect to roads required should be in future addressed to the Minister of Lands; from Mr Dmmmond, re opening a traok from Aohanga to Pakowai via Waiahakura and Liverton's through Crown Lands, ■

Tho report of the Clerk of Works was read and considered, It was resolved "That this Board being unanimous in the opinion of the necessity for the legislation of roads, the chairman bo authorised .to sign the memorial to the Hon. the Minister of subjeoc. That this Board sll expend five pounds on the track mentioned by Mr Drummond, provided thp S,heep Department will ajso expend ten pounds on the same work, the. traok being unsurveyed and passing through Crofon lands. The' Clerk; was directed fo'aoknpwledge 'the receipt of the stateine'nt of values of real property, end inform Mr Cox that no funds are available at present for Tinui Valley,-Road, Culverts were] ordered to be put in on Cox's hill, Mataikuna-Pakowatroad. Accounts amounting to L 55 13s 6d were passed^"^»^W d ■rose..' .'■;:'

■^;'vTe:'Rwigituma^

■ ■{From thNsi» Zealand-Fdrmr,) '■': ;In company:with a friend I paid a visit to. the estate of Mif; James Stuckey, which lies about eight miles, from Mastorton- in a northerly dire'elion, some three miles east of "the main road from Wellington to' Napier,. ■and about the. same distance from the Opaki flag station on the Wellington-Masterton-Eketahuna railway line. jThis estate comprises 3,600 acres, and wheii purchased by the present owner, abflut eleven years ago, it was all bush except; about 50 acres; at the present time it is all clear with the exception of a small clump of trees here and there left for shelter. It is divided into numerous paddocks by 'SO miles of good substantial fencing, gates being substituted, for. that abomination of many farms, viz,,-slip panels. There are about 150 acres of level land, the rest ol the estate lying on the western slope of the bill,: Te Rangitumau, the height of whioh' is ■' 1;998 feet, being the highest of the low hills around Masterton. This hill ii chiefly of limestone formation, but' here and there.a low hill" or- spur presents a clay face, as if it was placed there as a contrast to the more fertile limestone fotmntion with which it is surrounded. The flat is made up, of the' washings of the hills, and when Mr Stuckey purchased them were rather wet, but he cut a ditch along the bottom of the hill which catches the water from, above, leaving the flats below dry, and forming some of the nicest paddocks that a man could wish, the feed growing luxuriantly and' forming a thick bottom.. The hills also are well grassed, and carry abundance of feed. Mr Stuckey believes that if it pays to starve an animal, it pays much better to well feed it. The quantity of Btock at present on this estate is considered equal to about three sheep to the acre. N ; - .

Buildings. The residence Mr Stuckoy first built was a onerstoried building, but a short time since ho made censiderable additions by erecting a twostoried piece, on tbe end of the old portion, so that at present it forms a commodious well-arranged family residence supplied with a high pressure water supply from a spring in the bills above. There are also several cottages for the employees erected on different portions of the estate, which, together with a good woolshed and yards, sheep dip and yards, and cattle yards, make up a well-laid-out and conveniently worked sheep and cattle farm,.

Stock. Mr Stuckey's strongest point is his herd of pure bred Hereford cattle, which have gained for themselves, not only ft New Zealand but an Australian reputation, as the biggest half of the bulls aro annually bought by Australian stoek owners. Mr Stuokey is in the habit of showing breeding stock at the local shows whereat he invariably takes the better portion of the prizes in the Hereford classes, but this year he has entered into competition in the fat bullock classes, where he has carried all before bira.

TheTeßangitumau Hereford herd was founded by Mr Srackoy with Btock imported from England by General Whitmore, of Napier, in 1875, which with their produce he purchased in 1881, since which ho has added some of the choicest strains of tho New Zoaland Stud Company's stock, Mr Stuckey also imported in 1882 Chippendale, 6865, a eon of the celebrated Lord Wilton, which stood him in no less a sum. than £7OO. Lord Wilton gained first price at the Eoyal Show at Taunton, at the Bath and West of England, at the Hereford in 1875, He was also awarded first and champion prize at Lord Tredegar's show two years following, viz,, in 1881 and 1882. Afterwards he was sold at the late Mr Carwardino's sale for 3,800 guineas, Space will.not permit of my saying much individually, but I will just touch on a few of the best, and refer any reader who wishes for more particulars as to pedigree to the English or New Zealand herd book. Chippendale, 6865, is bis first bull in tbe herd, He is an eight-year-old, bred by the late Mr T. J. Carwardine of Stocktonbury, Herefordshire, and exhibited at the Royal, Bath, West of England, and Southern Counties, Hereford and Ludlow Agricultural Associations, He is & bull of fine constitution, with great wealth of flesh, standing on short legs and handling "like a glove." He has served 47 cows this season and most of tho younger beifers are by him, Duke of Rangitumau, 12,097, is the second bull in use this season, He is a four year old got by Chippendale, out of Amythist, a Royal first prize winner, Ho carries his sire's flesh, with broad level back and well sprung ribs, He has been in uso with 34 cows this season. Restorer is the third bull, calved 24th September, 1886, by Chippendale, from Rosalind 2nd by Biamarok, a cow bred by the Now Zealand Stud Company. He shows great size and quality, and should be an acquisition in some other herd next season, as Mr Stuckey intends parting with him to make room for Sir William, now in Sydney. In order to keep up, and if possible improve the prestige of his herd, Mr Stuckey has on thoir way out from England (at present quarantined in Sydney) the following : Sir William, 13460, bred by Mr H. Russell, got by Dardwiok, 8748. Before leaving England ho won tbe following prizes:—lst in the family class at the Royal, 2nd Shropshire and Leominster, and 3rd at Hereford and Ludlow. •

Aconite, bred l>y Mr A. P. Turner, by Sir Edward, 16631, her dam by Georße the Third, 5051, never been shown, In calf to Battonbeiy, 10971. '•...'•.

-Lydia, bi-ed by Mr J. Price, Pernbridge, by Monarch, 7858, dam by Grand Duke, 5312, in calf to Garnet, 19634. On referring to the English Hereford Book readers will find in' these cattlo a combination of the best Hereford blood.

Jerseys, Besides the above Mr Stuckoy has 'a small herd of Jersey cattle. The originals of this herd were purchased from Mr EP, Hill, of Christchurch, They appear to' giveevery satisfaction, their propiietor saying that if ho over goes in for a dairy on a large scale ho will most decidedly keep Jersey cows. In MrStuckey's opinion tho chief qualities that recommend idem for dairying, purposes are the superior qualities of. their produce, their'quietriess, and tqe small quantity of food they require, The first paddock v/c. visited contained the fattening cattle and young bulls, The former consisted of purebred Hereford steera, a few half breds and a number of mongrels, ".A few years ago, when„Mr"Stuckiy's breeding cows wero not as-numerous 85 wjjaji tbey.ate at present,' He'iised

■ ~! -11. .■^■^■■■■■■■l'iilßi fatten" them up ones which;we Bftwhavsbeenruiining|£: with hia own raising although;: they are "aajftodiy ; cattlo ■;' they : ;'aro } S: cbmpared;wifth the';Whitelaces,;; half 'bfsdsp although "not so'truly,£| marked; nfi the the good'hieat-prodiiping qualities which this Jis rapidly fovour,' .'. \':' ';.. ;.;';;" i; :; . v ;' '; ! v-'v-vS. Amongst the, pure'breds.-I noticed•-■> the two that took the; nrsl' : prize for y fat cattle at both the! Wairarap&v| shows, Although to the eye of ordinary colonist this breed 'often ':,;■ appears small, chiefly attributable to'-, their short legs, yet when'tbeitape 'is;;:; passed round them they girth remark-;' ably well, lMyoun?bulls wereall':; yearlings, the two.yeßr-olds' being :. all sold, the majority going to New .;...;' South "Wales and Queensland; vTho -.£ yeariings show great; care,.and. judgment on the part of' tha_= proprietor, ; their quality and-breeding; being ; - exceedingly good. They shouldjfee :'*'• entire satisfaction tp:whoeverwjv ; '" chases them,;; '.t'-' : '','j^Q : The next ' paddock contained the' cows'and calves.;;fc; spent considerable time in pandering; f from hill side to bill Bide, and spur to flat, looking'at the .different;;; ones and admiring their points, until. .;/• Mr B's boy ooming by v on horseback ; he requested them to drive;" the ! ; cows up to the stockyard, And "what , : ; a sight I •77* cowb with calves \l foot, % and: 25 heifers,' all in .the pink of ■ condition, and good MoUgh to gratify;.;; the desire of- the most ;ambitibns7:; breeder. "The matron of the'Jefd.is.;';. the imported cow lmythist,-;bred;bj'.,. & the late Mr P, Turner, :Pembnd<|e;';f and although npwplos'eon! 17; years;-'"; old is a regular breeder,-carries:'a dealof,flesh and. looks"blooming, v There are 21 of her female descendants at present in the herd, All t|ptest;. of the cows are "descended from ■; imported stock; .- ■•- '• :-^.\' : -:/y Although Herefords are, not con-,.; sidered a milking breed Mr Stuckey informs ma that many of tbeni answer ■ very well at" the pail, andjudging ; by the condition' of their offspring one would be inclined to think that what they lack in quantity,they tn^te,,.'' up in quality, To prove constitution and hardihood of "■';. breed X may state they receive iio\ shelter but what nature has afforded,' and no other food but what they pick .; up, but still all' are fat. It" also *, speaks 'volumes for their quietness' when I assert that moving amongst them on foot did not, with but very .\' few exceptious, disturbtlieirequani mity,

Sheep.

The majority of Mr Stuckey's sleep are Lincolns, being a strong, healthy, heavy-dipping flock. He annually sells about 100 rams, which revise the top prices, proving them to be of first rate quality. Mr never exhibits any of his sheep at thjfccal shows, the numerous black logsoying about his paddocks spoiling the look of the wool on.their backs. '■ : -.. ~ SocTiiDOWNB,;' ..;■■"

A few years ago Mr Stuokey imported some Southdownsof whiohhe now keeps a select flock. He told, us numorousinstancesof bow he surprised the knowing ones with the weight of these sheep, none of them being able - to judge anywhere .near the mark. The best sheep, for ■ freeling purposes aro obtained by;,mating. Southdown; rams with old Lincoln ewes, su' l proof of which. Mr Stuckey netted ps:\ 9d per head for' lambs he • sent' to London last season. Enemies of the : Farmer.' ;

Mr Stuckey has never had any lungworm in bis sheep. He considers it ohiefly attributable to; dirt paddocks, He keeps moving-his Btook from one' paddock to '. anbther, not' letting them remain more IhaUhree weeks in a place, He iii little covered troughs so that the sheep can get it when they liked.; Fe considered it helped to keep them healthy, Rabbits are very scarce at Te Rangituman,, [The proprietor, informed us that with the aßsißtance of rabbit-proof fenoing about" three parts of the way round the estate he found no difficulty in keeping the pest in check,' he by every means in his power protecting any animal or bird he considers will in any way help to destroy them.

THEGARDEN, The Grab orchard planted by Mr Stuckey was accidentally destroyed by fire. A couple of years ago : another Bito was selected for a garden in the location where it can be easily irrigated, a plentiful supply of water being the great secret of successful, ■ summer gardening in the With care and attention' majmificeinF vegetables are grown at To Hjituv mau, At the last autumn'snow in Mustorton Mr Stuckey had one of the best collections of vegetables exhibited,. What attracted my attention first in this garden was the magnificent rhubarb, tholikoof which I have.-.riot previously seen in New Zealand.

Not a little of the good qualities of Te Eangitumau vegetables' must be ascribed to the superior quality bl the seed from which they are grown. These are procured annually from" a trustworthy London firm,. sJhe fruit trees look well, having made, good growth this season. They are slightly afieoted with the popular local diseases except the codlin aiotb t> which, by . exercising due precaution, the pro- .- prietor has a good chance of keeping at,a distance. Another noticeable feature is the nursery department, containing a quantity of young trees of numerous varieties, alljgrown from seed, conspicuous among these being the rows of walnut and English oak, • When these attain suitable sizejW aro to be planted out oh tho'Mte, : which will give it a decidedly English '■'' appearance, besides in'course of no doubt their timber • will becomevjv. valuable. I noticed allot of standard, vapple trees, for the reception of which , Mr Stuckeyhas in the course of preparation a well sheltered'valley up '•■' -'', amongst the hills, There ire''also all '■:■ kinds of smaller grown fruit trees',' ' grapes, peaches, apricots and plums, including the Jananese yarieties,"thp ■•';" grafts of which were obtained last ; ''■'■■. Beason from Mr Mayo, of Drury. ■'. V''' In conclusion, I inußt congratulate Mr Stuckey, not only on his success as a breeder, but on the abilities which he has manifested in subduing the • bush and developing the reproductive qualities of the soil, and I havs no ' hesitation in. sayinc; that after tlio" - lapse.of a few years, when the fruits '■■;'. of this enterprising colonist's labours '. ■ have matured, ha will have one ofthe', " nicest andbest'laid out estates in the' ':■■'; district,. '■.'-■. ' ''',''. ..'-";';•.';•