THE WORKING HIVE OF A "SOCIAL PEST."

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3075, 31 March 1892, Page 2

THE WORKING HIVE OF A "SOCIAL PEST."

The Christchurch Press publishes a, most interesting account of a visit paid to the Longbeach Estate, the property of Mr John Grigg. The following resume will give some idea of the magnitude of the operations carried on by the owner: — The feed has been remarkably abundant all through the season, all the large areas of grain crops have turned out well, and there are now considerably over 2,000 acres of rape and turnips that are promising all that could be desired. Close on 4,900 acres were put down in wheat, 1,000 acres in barley, 1,100 acres in oats, 65 acres in peas, 50 acres in golden tares, and 8 acres in rye. In addition to these there are 50 acres in mangolds and 12 acres in potatoes, while 330 acres of grass and clover were mown for hay. The grain harvest commenced about sth of January, and since that time thirty-four reapers and binders have been busy cutting it down and binding into sheaves. On the day of my visit there were fully 300 hands employed, and 290 horses engaged in drawing the machines, carting to the stacks, and other necessary work in connection with the harvest. This army of men and horses take a lot of feeding, and Mr Banks told me with pardonable pride that the month of January he put through sixtytwo sacks of flour, representing no less than 4,4001b of bread. He had been in the bakehouse nine years, using from three to four sacks of flour per week when he first went to Longbeach ; but the men on the place had increased, and the weekly consumption of flour had risen accordingly. From 8001b to 9001b of plain cake was being baked and sent out to the harvest hands daily, in addition, of course, to a large quantity of bread. During the week the butcher had killed one bullock and 115 sheep, and the consumption of tea, sugar, etc., would be also very considerable. It will be iuteresting just here to note that for the year ended December 31 last the rations alone for the workmen amounted to no less than £2,500 in money value at station prices, and included 95,9501b of bread, 31741b of tea, 19,7881b of sugar, 14,0441b of currants, 5052 sheep, and 51 bullocks. In addition to the farm and general station hands, wheelwrights, painters, saddle and harness makers, carpenters, butchers, bakers, and others also find permanent employment.