WEST CLIVE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5281, 15 January 1879, Page 3

WEST CLIVE.

(FKOlt OUR PERIPATETIC CORRESPONDENT.) Having travelled the country from Napier to Wallingford, and from Wallingford back to Harapden and Tikokino, and from thence to Patangata, and having paid particular attention to all the peculiarities, the beauties, and the requirements of the places mentioned, and having described them in your journal or elsewhere, I now find myself back at Olive, and am free to confess that through all my peregrinations I have seen nothing to equal it. Here its broad spreading acres are still verdant and luxuriant, its gardens smiling and green, while the places before alluded to are parched up, dry, and bare. The park, which is only a short distance from White's Farndon Hotel, is beginning to show what may be expected in a few years, as even now, in its infancy, it is looking truly beautiful, and reflects the highest credit upon the trustees. The new bridge which spans the Ngaruroro is, I presume, the finest in the district of Hawke's Bay, and redounds to the credit of Mr Bold, the designer, and the completion speaks well for the contractor, Mr M'Kay. After crossing the bridge the township of Olive, with its business places, its stores, and shops, and smithies, ' comes into view, while its pretty little church stands out in bold relief, and is a positive ornament to the place; But ■what pain, what trouble, what anxiety it cost the founder of it, tho Rev. Mr Marshall, who is now in a distant land, none can tell but himself. Mr Lascelles' residence is a noble structure, and his garden, for ornamentation and variety of trees, fruit, flowers, and shrubs, is not to be surpassed in the province. At Mr Ruddick's West Olive Hotel I cast my anchor for one night, and may safely say that in all my wanderings I have not found better . accommodation, attention, or civility. Mr Ruddick himself is one of those large-hearted individuals who delight in doing good, but cannot bear to be imposed upon. He gave a free ball and supper on New Year's night, and as might be naturally supposed, the attendance was so great that the house, large as it is, could not contain those who had gathered together to participate in his hospitality. M'lntj're's new malt house, which is 75 feet long and 21 feet wide, and two stories high, the whole being built of concrete, will be finished in a fortnight, and when completed there will be nothing in New Zealand to surpass it. I have spoken of Mr Lascelles' grounds as being beautifully laid out &c, I must now speak of Mr Bray's, which are more mature, and consequently more fully developed. The fruits, the flowers, and all the surroundings are of the choicest and most beautiful character. Hall's carriage and cart factory is increasing in dimensions, I presume from , the great influx of business ; may it continue to be so. The man Thomas Harlow, who was crushed by a laden dray on the second day of the month, while removing posts in R. P. Giffard's paddok, I am glad to say has so far recovered as to bo able to walk about. Ruddick's horse Hercules, which doubtless is a splendid animal, has been running with his mares at Olive, and from the owner I learn, Hie season has been all that could be wished for a positve success. R. P. Williams' boiling down establishment is in full swing, and it is anticipated that the season will be one of tho best, both in the wool scouring and boiling down departments. The mill is supposed to have changed hands, and will be brought into full working operation in a short time.