PROPOSED BIRKENHEAD VINEYARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 125, 4 June 1885, Page 4

PROPOSED BIRKENHEAD VINEYARDS.

Thk formation of the Birkenhead main road is being rapidly pushed on by the vaiioiu contracting parties. Tho first soction, involving tho heaviest cutting, is suiiiciently advanced to show what a great improvement it will be on the old grudient, and its completion will, no doubt, give a great impetus to settlement, for it is well known that those who havo diligoutly cultivated land hore havo been well ■rewarded by crops, and the only drawback experienced has lain in the fact of the main road being almcst intravorsiblo. The succoss which has attended the growth of etiuwberii.. and olbor truits has led to tho nucleus being formed of an Italian vine growing settlement on land recently purchased from the Tramway Company, tho several partios who have entered into tho project having located themselves on the eastern ■ boundary of tho Company's property, opposite Mr Metcalfo's farm. Tho pioneer settlers are A. Ternelli (11 acres), J. Gambaro (17 acre.), R. Bedford (Ij aores), and Louis and Porro (15 acres), while other Italians are negotiating with a view to similar purchase ana. occupancy of the land for vine-growing operations. It should hore be mentioned that a native of sunny Italy named Fogli baa been established in the vicinity for upwards of five years, and though he has Borne well-grown vines, has not made their cultivation a specialty, as his countrymen propose doing; in fact, having met with a serious accident which resulted in a compound fracture of the leg, he has for a long time been unable to work at all. Ternelli has laid out two gardens; in one he has a thousand vine cuttings a year old, and 50 r.oted plants. JJe is going to propagate tbe orthodox strawberries in the Other garden to bring in revenue while the vines are coming on. While thus referring to strawberry^growing, we may say that most surprising prorits are made annually at Rorthcote and Birkenhead by the cultivation of this prolific fruit, for which there is an unlimited market throughout the season. Ternelli expresses himself as not at all in dread of the phylloxera, a disoaso which he is prepared to cure in anyono's vinery, and will undertake such cure on the principle of no cure no pay. Gambaro is known to be a first-class navigator, but has decided to resume pursuits familiar to his youthful days in Italy, and has made a vigorous start on the land. Hia cottage is erected, and a considerable area of ground ia being brought into cultivation for a gardon. Bedford has also fenced and prepared ground. Whilo so much i 3 being said in favour of vine culture being successfully carried on in this province, it is pleasing to chronicle auy practical efforts being put forth to develop this important industry, und it is to bo hoped that the attempt at Birkenhead will prove satisfactory, as it will then lead to extensive operations, Traffic to Birkenhead has increased since the present steamer —tho Birkenhead—commenced to run, and Capt. Kountreo is well pleased with his vessel. The other day when Messrs Murdoch and Aitken visited tho district, the steamer ran over from Northcote to Auckland in 6J minutes. Captain Rountree uses overy offort to keep to timo, and is given no peace if by any chance he fails. A few days ago, when one of our military authorities was inspectine: Northcote, a facetious resident informed the commandol- of the vessel that it was arranged to erect a battery at Nerthcote, and blow up the steamer if she did not keep her time.

The Life ok an M.P.—An M.P., deploring the evil .fFe.tsof London haiits on the heath, slid that wore it not for the American Co.'s Hop Bitters he ooul.i not livo through with the irreguiur hour, ho was forced to keep. Said he: As soon 0-1 feel weak and exhausted from long night si-ssiws and rh'ealß at irregular hours. I rosort to my Hop Bitters inßtoad of Btimulants. 'J hoy regulate my bowels and keen my appetite good, my brain clear, and my strength and health are preserved." See.