A PROGRESSIVE SETTLEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 16846, 23 September 1918, Page 7

A PROGRESSIVE SETTLEMENT

o There was a day when the idea- of a ‘ fruit farm on what was then known aBald Hill Flat was ridiculed. The old digger could see no virtue in any occupation but mining, and most of the younger population lacked the vision to on."Me him to materialise the splendid potentialities of running water, ferrite laud, pure air, and bright sunshine. That day has disappeared. Bald Hill TIM u ! • its new name of Fruit-lands has me » . i. With the wise application of water, wlncn the district is well supplied with the f • e of Mother Earth smiled at tho croaker-. Fruit trees flourished, and made splendid growth; verily, a nursery for the propagation of young tree life was established as if to mock the carping critics; the ymd* docks groaned under their heavy yields of the golden grain, silencing once cud for all the doubting Thomases of lbs district. Among tho most recent developments of Frnitlands is the undertaking of . the renovation and rebuilding of several of the old landmarks. This building scheme is to take shape in a week’s time. Tho idea is to provide convenient and modern houses for married couples, the husbands to be employed on the farms. The old school-house, which dates hack fully 40 years, will be renovated. Tho walla are to be rough-cast, a neat little porch is to bo built over tho doorway, and casement windows will be put in. The interior will also be modernised, and every domestic convenience bo supplied. The manager's house will have a broad verandah added, and casement windows wall replace tiha present ones. The old Speangra-ss Hotel will have a verandah likewise, and bo given two additional bedrooms. A new* dwelling of six apartments will also he built, and among other conveniences provided for the farm hands will be a reading room, 12ft by 18ft, and provision has also been made for the addition of a billiard room in the near future. It is also in contemplation to renovate tho Old Cape Broom Hotel, which was partially destroyed by fire. The work of renovation has been entrusted to Mr Bobson, a Dunedin contractor. —Alexandra ‘ Herald.’*