MR. TORLESSE'S REPORT UPON THE CANTERBURY BLOCK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 23, 14 June 1851, Page 6

MR. TORLESSE'S REPORT UPON THE CANTERBURY BLOCK.

We give below a portion of this interesting and valuable Report, which has been placed at our service for that purpose by the Chief Agent of the Canterbury Association. The remainder of the document will be published in our next and succeeding numbers. TO J. R. GODLEY, ESQ., Chief Agent of the Canterbury Association. Sir, —Having been requested by you to furnish a description of the Canterbury district, I will en-

deavour to do so as far as a general acquaintance with the country enables me, but do not pretend to such a knowledge of scientific subjects as would alone be sufficient for complete information. I refer to Wyld's map, and the charts of the Canterbury Association, for explanation of the following, and presumed familiarity with the general character of New Zealand.

The East Coast of the Middle Island affords the widest field for occupation now vacant in New. Zealand, on account of its open character and tW absence of, large native tribes.. The Canterburi" settlement is situated in the centre of this territory, and its port is the depot for the whole country between Kaikora and the river "VVaitangi, comprising from four to five million acres of available land. It is essentially a grazing country—but perfectly [ available for large agricultural operations, so soon as there is any demand for them : the soil and cli- - mate are particularly favourable for the growth of barley for the Sydney market, or for home brewing, with a view of exporting ale to India. Horsebreeding, too, for the Indian market, will probably be carried on here with snccess; and we may look forward to the cultivation of. the New Zealand flax I as an important export from the agricultural districts. But in the meantime, we are dependent for an export trade on wool, tallow, hides, salt meat, and cheese, for which latter, the place is already celebrated. The principal feature in the Canterbury district is the great plain; in order to describe which, it is necessary to mention the several portions separately as they differ from the others. There is a belt of country about ten miles wide v from the coast or peninsula, which extends from the Ashley_t.o the Cholmondeley, containing about 260,000* acres. This "is"the" most fertile and best adapted portion for agricultural purposes; and, when brought under cultivation, will be a very rich tract. Excepting a line of sandy soil immediately bordering upon the coast, and some deep bulrush swamps, the whole of it will be available for cultivation as soon as some main drains are formed to carry off the surface water, which extends over a considerable portion of it during the "rainy season, because there is no outlet. At least one-third is now ready for tillage at a less cost than is generally required for breaking up new land in this country. The soil may be designated a good light loam. In this tract there are k four distinct sections, (besides forest land, which in this settlement will scarcely ever need to be reclaimed), here mentioned in order as they are most easily brought under cultivation. The open grass land, that in which fern and tutu grow, the flax bottoms, and the reclaimable swamp land. In deciding which of these to prefer, the farmer should be guided by the amount of capital at his disposal, as their comparison is analogous to that between the open and the wooded parts of New Zealand, where the heavier outlay in breaking up forest land is found in a certain degree to be compensated for, by the superiority of crop and greater durability—that is, in proportion to the first outlay is the eventual return, by reason of the richer soil bearing the stronger natural growth. The grass land has been found to bear a fair crop v with one ploughing and harrowing. The fern and ■ tutu, especially as there are some strong roots of the latter, is more difficult to plough, and the land requires some exposure before receiving the seed. In cultivating the flax bottoms, a grubbing hoe ought to be used to extract the flax roots before the plough is brought to bear, and the reclaimable swamp land must be entirely subdued by the hand. Compared with the rest of the country, this portion has but a slight inclination towards the sea. The soil is mostly rich mould with subsoil of clay, or marl resting upon a sand or gravel bed. From various indications, the whole of it appears to have been heavily timbered. West of the above tract, the plaki rises more rapidly, and at the foot of the hills is estimated to be about 500 feet above the level of the sea. ' It is chiefly a monotonous and uninteresting flat, only varied by slight undulations and traces of old waterways. Its growth, is mostly grass with occasional ti-palm; and there is generally a stony surface on its soil, which is of no great depth, and chiefly resting upon a gravel bed. In the central parts of the plain there are comparatively barren tracts with but little soil and growth: but there are some portions with a marly subsoil, which are of rich quality, n and have evidently been clothed with the best of timber. These fertile portions are situated as follows. —On the south bank of the Courtenay, for some breadth from the river or its old channel. At the foot of the hills generally speaking—and on the banks of the Eyre, Cust, Ashley, Selwyn, and r Ashburton. There is no swamp in the whole of this district; but some of the country near the hills is - covered in the wet season with surface water, by '„ reason of a want of drainage. _ *i The country north of the river Ashley is chiefly formed of the spurs from the hills, gradually sloping off towards the coast: and, from its undulating character and the abundance of ti-palm there, presents an agreeable and park-like appearance. The soil is generally of good quality, on a bed of raarl or clay, with the vegetation everywhere luxuriant,