AVONDALE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1246, 30 September 1911, Page 18

AVONDALE.

A FAIOUS MARLBOROUGH ESTATE. TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY.

At the invitation of Mt. C. do V. Tesche-emaker-Sliute, a representative of The Dohkion recently visited the famous Avondalo Station (Marlborough), which is ghortly to bo subdivided and placed ou the market. The property is a very suitable ono for closo settlement, and the following cursory description of it is given

out on horseback with his host as guide, to exploro Suinmerlands. This portion of tho estate wus acquired at auction only ten or twelve years ago by Mr. losclic-mnker-Shutc, alter unsuccessful efforts had been made by several owners to farm it. In its native state the property was uninviting in appearance, practically tho

for tho information of the large number of lawl-seekers who aro taking, a keen ini' terost in the subdivision. At tho outset it must bo .explained that Avondale .Station ; Includes thrco properties—Avondale, Summerlands, and Redwood. Starting from Blenheim at an early tour, our representative chose tho road leading past Remricktown, "The Delta," "Flaxmere," and "Leefield" Stations, and thence over the low downs on tho eastern mde of the Avon River. After Lccfiold (sixteen miles from Blenheim) is passed the road rises at a very easy grade to tho i 1 crest of a hill about five miles or so dis1. taut. '■ ' ' First View of Avondale. It is from this commanding position

whole of tho flats being covered with denso manuka. But a change has como o'er the sceno, and it is safe to say of it now that there are few more attractive, properties in Marlborough. Summorlands is bounded on tho east by the Avon River, and on the west by the Waihopai, as far as tho Musgrave, when the latter stream becomes the dividing lino between it and Benhopai Station. Summorlands runs to a point at the northern extremity, where the. Avon and Waihopai unite, and to tho southward it abuts on to Redwood. Tho road to Summerlands branches off tho Avondale Road near Lcefield, and contiuues up the Avon Valley, on.tho western side of tho river,

that the first view of Avondale, some thrco miles farther on, is obtained. Tho Avon Valley, in which the homestead lies, is completely hidden from sight whilo the hill is being 1 asccnded. Once on top of tho elevation, however, tho valley, stretching for many miles to tho southeast, comes very suddenly into view. So unexpected and striking is the panorama that tho writer, beholding it for tho first time, involuntarily drew rein and paused long enough, to make a mental picture of tho bpauwoos scene which lay unfolded before him. The course down which the •Avon has flowed for countless ages, cutting & great yawning fissure seventy or eighty feet deep through the solid rock, can bo traced for many miles, till finally it disappears round the bend of a valley in the romantic Redwood country beyond Avondale. The waters of the Tummel River (which forms tho boundary line between .Avondale and Leelleld) tumble restlessly down tho hillside on the left, and finally empty themselves into tho. moro majestic Avon, near a swing bridge, which spans tho great gulf, connecting Avondale with .Summerlands. On a piece of rising ground near the meeting of the two streams stands the homestead, and just below it tho residence of Mr. Charles Te~chemakerShutc, jun. Tho well-kept lawns and neat flower plots are open to the full glory of tho sun from morning till evening, and yet sheltered from all tho winds that blow. Tho outline of tho mountains, twenty or thirty miles to the south, is strongly defined against tho sky, and tho remaining patches, of snow, which the warm September rains have not yet melted, glitter liko crystals in tho morning sunlight. To tho lovor of blature tho scene is one not likely to fade readily from the memory. ■ . Summerlands,' Arrived at Avondale and its hospitality partaken of, our ropresontativo started

I here at present is ono to gladden tho heart of any farmer. Splendid Quality Land. Tho quality of tho land throughout Avondale is. remarkably rieli and even, but if (hero is any choice it is in favour of Summcrlands. Tho whole of tho country is sweet and healthy, and tho soil on tho flats particularly rich and deep. It dees not need the plough to provo the virtue of tho land. Tho great, lustily-grown matagarau, tho strong tussock, and other native plants which thrive only in rich «iil alTord sufficient proof of its fertility. Tho practised eye of the farmer reads on tho surface of even tho uncleared portions of tho land many signs which promise rich yields and great carrying capacity when it is won from its native state and brought under cultivation. Another sure tost of tho first-class quality of tho land is tho soft, yielding, carnet-liko sward, tho footfalls of the horses being almost innudiblo as they moved briskly along. Leaving this magnificent valley, we struck off to tho east, along a track leading to Avondalo. Before descending into the plain we obtained from cno of the highest elevations a capital view of the adjacent country, the most striking feature being the homestead and well-arrang-ed farm buildings, surrounded by large and well-laid-out plantations of pines and gums, and fruit-bearing trees of all kinds. Instead of taking the ford we crossed over tho strongly-constructcd swing bridge, which has previously boon mentioned as connecting Avondale with Summerlands. Tho next day we wero .?gain in the saddlo and cantering away in the direction of Eedwood, just as the sunbeams were commencing to gild tho highest peaks of tho surrounding hills. It was a perfect spring morning. More delightful surroundings could not well bo imagined, and as wo passed near tho plantations tho perfume of the gay mimosa was borno softly towards us. Tho sky was perfectly clear,, except for a few light, fleecy clouds, upon which tho light of tho rising sun played in a most fantastic manner. On the journey wo pasod a spot whoro there is evidenco of a temporary Maori camp having been formed many years ago. It is possiblo that a large forco of South Island Natives, on the warpath against the noted To Rauparaha, who was carrying on his terrible depredations at the time of tho arrival of tho first whito settlers in New Zealand, bivouacked here. It is curious to note that at this spot is to bo found growing a small patch of rod tussock, which was largely used by tho Natives for making baskets. This particular variety of tussock is not found on any other part of tho station. Chances for the Small Settler. By half-past seven wo were on the summit of a high hill, about a milo distant from the junction of tlio Temo and Avon Rivers. .From this eminonco a magnificent view of tho country is obtained for miles in all directions. It can at once ba seen that there is plenty of scope for improvement on tho Eedwood property, and with proper management in smaller areas purchasers will bo able to largely increase tho valuo of tho land. Tho soil is almost equal in quality to Summerlands, and is capable of producing

for considerably oveT thirty miles from Blenheim. With the exception of one short and comparatively easy grade near Redwood, the road is practically flat the whole distance. At the end of the valley the road crosses over a saddle into the Grey River, down which it continues for ten miles, thence through Glenleo and Upcot Stations, into the Awatero Valley. A branch road, also flat, runs down the western side of Summerlands, through tho Waihopai Valley. When exploring the country wo traversed this road as far as tho Musgrave Creek, and then struck up a valley leading to tho centre of the run. Immediately after leaving tho road we entered a 'field of wheat, remarkably healthy and well grown, and giving promise of an abundant harvest. Adjoining tho wheat, a lars;e area has been laid down in cocksfoot. Tho young grass is just beginning to show above ground, and Mr. 'l'eschemaker-Shuto stated that this field had been sown with the best cocksfoot obtainable, tho object being to harvest tho feed when the crop reached maturity. Tho soil is particularly suited to cocksfoot, and excellent yields of ciean, heavy seed are obtained. Continuing up' this valley, which runs from west to east, we presently camo. lo another'and larger area of plnugliablc land, stretching away 'to tho north for two or three miles.yFrom this main "valley other tributary valleys branch off at intervals. These flats art completely sheltered on all sides of tho surrounding low hills,' but they, are of such width, and tho aspect so fine, that they got tho full benefit of tho sun throughout tho day. Largo areas are ploughable, and th? finest of root and coroal 'crops are grown. At tho northern extremity of the main valley a pateh of 250 acres of dense manuka' was cut down and burnt off last autumn, and a mixture of good English grass sown. The growth has been excellent, and tho sight

heavy fields of cereal crops, and mutton equal to "prime Canterbury." In fact, phenomenal prices have been obtained in tho Addington market for fat wethers from Redwood. After viewing Some splendid crops growing in the surrounding valleys, we returned to Avondale. It is worthy of noto that on this morning ride over many miles.of country vfo saw only two rabbits and a solitary hare, showing that tho country is J remarkably frco from these pests. There are also patchcs of briar (or dog-rose) in various places, but tho plants havo been attacked by a blight, which is rapidly destroying them. Not a single healthy briar can bo found, but there arc whole patches in which almost every plant has been completely killed out by the ravages of the very welcome blight which has attacked them. It is only a matter of a year or two when tho briar (the only noxious weefl to bo found on Avondale) will be completely eradicated. Early Experiences. Avondale Station wJs purchased by Mr. Teschemaker-Shute over thirty years ago from Messrs. Edwards and Co., estate agents, of -\elson, into whoso hands the threo properties which it comprised had fallen. The thrco properties were Avondale (originally taken up by Dr. Allison), Redwood (originally taken up by William Adams), and Glenleo (originally taken up by Mr. Bolton. Tho last-named property has sinco been sold by Mr. TeschemakerSliute to Mr. William Shipley. Summerlands was not included in the purchase made from Edwards and Co., but, as already explained, was bought at auction at a later period. When Mr. Tcsche-maker-Shuto settled on Avondalo it was unfenced, and was devastated by hordes of wild pigs. So numerous, indeed, were theso destructive animals, that a continuous and determined warfare had to bo waged against them, and contracts were let for killing them at so much per thousand. Before the fight against tho pigs was at an end, tho rabbit post came. The rodents fairly inundated the land, and tremendously reduced its carrying capacity. Their destruction was even more tedious and costly than thinning out the pigs. The übiquitous bunny was slain literally in thousands', and yet it was somo years boforo thero was any noticeable diminution in their number. Only those settlers who woro in a strong financial position survived tho ordeal. The combination of opposing forces—wild pigs, rabbits, scabby sheep, low prices for wool, and no market for surplus stock—proved too much for many of tho struggling pioneers, and they went under. For years the whole of the surplus stock of Avondale was slaughtered and buried, the only asset being tho skins, which realised from ninepcncc lo one shilling each. In common with his fellow settlers, Mr. Teschemaker-Shuto had his periods of stress, and more than once was' on tho vcrgo of ruin. If lie now enjoys easo and comfort it is the just reward of the pioneers who havo raado New Zealand—tho product, of many years' hardship and incessant toil in winning tho

land from its rough nativo state, and from tho pests and scourges which threatened to overwhelm it. Moving Stock in the 'Fifties. "When the present owner took up Arondalo he found it necessary to rcstock tho property, and, accordingly, purchased in,500 ewes from Mr. Robert Campbell, of Otago. These sheep wero brought to Amberley by rail, and then driven via Ilanmer Plains, Jolly's Pass, BarefeUs Pass, and down tho Awatero to Glonloe, tho time occupied on tho journey being iivo weeks. These sheep were tho first brought to Marlborough from the south.

and in this connection it is of historical interest to noto that Mr. William Teschemaker-Shute, brother of the owner of Avondale, was tho first to drive sheep from Nelson to Otago in tho 'fifties. The journey whicb was then undertaken occupied no fowcr than three years. The sheep had to be driven tho whole distance, and difficulties before which many a stout heart would havo quailed had to be overcome. When Mr. W. TeschemakerShute left Nelson, his slieep were scabby, and tliey bad to bo dipped and cured before they wore permitted to enter Canterbury. The next, delay was a Rakaia, whero they woro held up for three or four months for lambing. When they got on the iuovo again scab onco more broke out, and the sheep wero quarantined on an island in the Waitiki. They were dipped hero under tho most trying conditions. The "dip" was made of bullock skins, and tho ingredients for the dip and the iron pots in whicb it was prepared wero carried twenty-five miles, slung on poles, on the shoulders of tho redoubtable pioneer and his helpers. Eventually tho sheep were delivered at their destination, the Kouro run, near Oamaru. Splendid Wool Clips. When Avondale was taken up by Mr. Teschemaker-Shute, the *ck was com-

located. There aro also numerous permanent springs on all parts of the property. A fair proportion of tho estate is ploughable, and it produces heavy crops of tho finest quality. An average of fifty-three bushels of wheat lias been obtained from a licld, and three tons of chalf. Owing to the fact that there are good roads to all the agricultural land, cartage to Blenheim is a very small it&m when the difference in tho price of tho land is taken into consideration. The price paid by Mr. Tesehcmnker-Shuto for carting last season's grain and chaff to Blenheim was seventeen .shillings per ton,

leaving a very handsomo net return to the grower. Tho survey of Avondale is now being proceeded with, and tho property will be sold at auction early in December, by Messrs. Palgety and Co., Ltd. The areas will range from threo hundred to three thousand acres of miscd arablo and pastoral land. It is understood that tho terms of sale will bo so liberal as to enable men of moderate means to acquire holdings of this highly desirable land.

posed entirely of merinos, but these wore gradually replaced by longwools. There is no better flock in Marlborough at tho present time, and, thanks to tho fine healthy nature of the country and the salubrious climate, tho wool clip from this property regularly realises top prices in tho London market. In order to show Iho evenness of tho clip, it is only necessary to mention that in tho priocs realised for last scion's wool thero was a variation of only a halfpenny in tho highest price and the averago for the whole clip, tho respective figures being 14(1. and 13! d. A feature of tho property is its adapt, ability for fattening. A photograph, which is reproduced on this page, shows a lino of 800 fat lambs, drafted from a mob of one thousand, fattened entirely on grass. They wore killed at tho l'icton Freezing Works, and averaged 421b. Another big lino sent to Picton in December averaged 3Glb. off grass. Avondale is also excellent winter country, and no fewer than five thousand hoggets have bean wintered, for thirteen weeks, on two hundred acres of turnips, with Hie Inss of only eight sheop. This is quite phenomenal. The aspect' of tlio property is northerly,- and it is protected at all points by hills, but tho valleys are so wide that it might be described as fine open country. Tho main valley, through which tho Avon flows, is from three to four miles wido in places. A very important feature is that the property is splendidly watered. The main supplies are Ihe Avon, Tummel, Tome, and Wailiopai Divers, the Musgravo Creek, and numerous tributary creeks, most conveniently