MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 159, 30 March 1908, Page 6

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

ANCORA GOATS. A RUN THROUGH MARLBOROUGH; . Ono of the places Visited by tho Hon. R. M'Nab (Mirtister, for Lands); m his brief run through Marlborough to Christchurch, was the island in the'Pglorus -Sound, - used as a sanctuary for the Dpniiiiioh's herd of, Angora goats. : The Mihister describes tho island as unsuitable' for the purpose; for which it is used, on account; of : its: inaccessibility. An offort ■ will bo ffliade to find a spot oiv tho mainland which, people can. readily visit, and j'et: which'is' > covered ! with. blackberry, . arid* bria.1 1 ,; to enable ; ;experiments to bo carrjed onti -The .Minister, states that the goats have been flontiiiudiisl/:increasing. The Gov-/ orriment pbssess a herd of purebred Angoras, arid;"these are being crossed with ordinary gOats. It is, considered the hnlf-bred animal is better suited ill. constitution for the climate and country. These'tho Government sell, and retain the ; pure'",'Angora'sV' The demand : in- the; district, round about is greater, than tho .Government can cope. with. in fact, they could sell a good many more than they do. vPeoplo purchase tho start' a herd of their sown,' Hrid breed ''towards the Angora. :The Government's purebred herd is one of the few in tho'Doriniiioii', and tho succcss so far in experiments in tho destruction of' noxious weeds makes it' .'desirable- that farmers (generally should be able to' readily , inspect theso. results. For • that reason, a nioro accessible spot l will be selected.. It has bwn.r said that special fences ai"e required, but the Minister found the goats: were successfully- hold captivo . with enclosures very little different to',ordinary sheep 1 fences.- •- Mr. M'lv'ab paid an interesting : visit ■ to Ship Cove, with the' party from -Blonheim which wont t-6 fix a site for the Cook Memorial.; Ship Cove is a spot a few chains: wide. Captain; Cook landed thoro on several Occasions, but the memorial is to mark his first landing. A reproduction of an original drawing by ; tho ancient mariner.'s. artist' was- in possession of the party, and photographers who were present secured modern records of tho Cove from as nearly as possible the same spot on which tho artist had sketehed. Theso two photographs arc to be reproduced and circulated in ilie Dominion. The form of the Memorial is to bo decided Upon ,at a meeting in-BlenKeinirOri June 1. The committee are consulting with , Mr. M<Nab and 'Mr. A. - H. Tiirnbull, of. Wellington (who was one of the party) as to the form it shall take. With funds collected and the Government subsidy, ft sum of about £250 will be available. On his journey south tho Minister passed through the Blind River, Starborough, and Flaxbournb settlements. ,No stay, however, was niado. South of Seddon,' the railway extension works camo under notice. There soolned to bo a good deal of traffic oil the roads here, said the Minister, and a . railway should prove profitable as far down as FlaxboUrne. Tlio ride to.lCaikoura was very enjoyable, the last'few miles being through Native lands, 'olad with beautiful bush, which the people desire to have reserved. The properly,"'said- the Minister, was being now survoyed,, and would probalily be dealt with at an early date. ; ' .

"Thore is a good deal of . rich agricultural country around Kaikoura," said tho Minister. At present tho town of Kaikoura was servod by sniall craft from. Christcburch. The promantory • was a beautiful spot and, when railway communication was ,' t established, Kaikoura should be a favourite watering place, for Christcburch people. As soon as progressive harbour operations were' completed, it was i expected vessels drawing 12 and 13ft. would be ablo to warp •. alongside the wharves. , ' ' ' - ~' i

Tho Minister; saw Cheviot from tho outskirts, and tho settlement looked exceedingly fine and prosperous. • The romainder of the journey to 1 Christchurch was remarkable for tlie number of deputations and interviews..