THE TOWN AND DISTRICT OF CHERTSEY.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3975, 22 April 1878, Page 3

THE TOWN AND DISTRICT OF CHERTSEY.

The rapid progress of the town and district of Chertsey is a subject well worthy of a brief notice. The yield of grain in the district during the. past harvest has been at least 300,000 bushels, and it is further estimated that 50,000 acres of land will be under crop during the ensuing season. In all directions the farmers are breaking, up new area* of land, and it may be noted that here the singleTurrow plough is rarely seen, but that the double and threefurrow ploughsare more rapidly turning up the hitherto grass grown plains. • At Sherwood, Mr F. B. Passmore's property, a still more potent agent, the steam plough, is in active work, and in spite l of the great difficulty ■ inseparable from the Unusually dry state of the. soil, about 100 acres have been very successfully operated ou by it. It is intended, so Boon as rain sets in, and ttiß -ground ia in better condition, for-work-ing, thit a public trial shall be made of its capabilities in a field close to Chertsey township, of which due notice will be given. On this occasion no doubt a very large gathering of those interested in the success or otherwise of this great revolutionary agent iv practical agriculture will be present from Chertsey and the snrrouuding districts.

A new road is in course of formation from the township to Charing-cross, Wakanui, a distance of about eight miles. As no less thin eeveu roads meet at this last-named place, it will be certain to secure a large amount of trade which hitherto has been absorbed by Ashbnrtcn. One thing ie very apparent, that farmers will avail themselves of the facility thus afforded them of carting their grain a shorter distance, and also saving a certain amount of railway mileage on the same.

One great drawback hitherto experienced in this district has been the scarcity of water. This, however, is likely to be overcome shortly. At the present time the Government are putting down a public well close to the Chertsey Railway Station, the understanding being that the Government find labour, whii«t the only contribution asked from the residents is the cost of the timber. The water, it is expected, will be obtained at a depth of 200 ft., aad will be a very great boon to the residents. Of the township itself, though as yet only in its infancy, it may be said that it shows evident signs of prosperity, and the activity which is noticeable augurs well for its future. It contains stores of various kinds, well built, and for a small township somewhat pretentious. It has also a very commodious and well-famished hotel, owned by Mr jStenning, and which contains twenty-four rooms. Altogether it may be said that Chertsey bids fair to become in time a very flourishing township, situate as it will be in the very centre of a large agricultural district, and having the great advantage of contiguity to the railway.