THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 26, 5 July 1851, Page 6

THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT.

The following letter has gone the round of the Melbourne Papers. It contains opinions too interesting to be omitted from our columns.

Lyttelton, April Vjth, 1851,

My dear M'Lachlan, —I have just returned from a trip through the Canterbury plains. I ■went about 50 miles, and intended going further, but was unable to cross the livev which brought us up. I am now, however, able to form some opinion of the settlement, and must begin by tellingyou I have never seen finerplains for stockj not even in the Western District, and I am told that still finer country exists both to the north and south of where I went; probably there is room on this island for three or four millions of sheep, with a proportionate number of cattle. Both thrive remarkably well, and the former yield very heavy fleeces, shearing the lambs as hoggets; the average clip is about 4 lbs. all round. The plains are sound and dry, and for the most part thickly grassed. Rivers intersect the country from west to east at a distance generally of twelve or fifteen miles from each other. These are clear rapid streams flowing over a broad channel, and generally between high sheltering banks with flats below them. One considerable drawback, however, to them, is their great breadth and rapidity, rendering them dangerous and difficult to cross. So far so well. For ' stock' the country seems admirably adapted, but for man, being a cooking animal, the case is different, there is an absolute famine in the article of firewood. The bushes are almost entirely confined to the damp coiners in the ranges, and these are for the most part nearly inaccessible: the only other supplies lie in the drift wood upon the banks of some of the larger rivers, but it is not abundant, and its renewal is precarious. I have seen something like peat, but it seems to contain too much earthy matter to burn well. There are two or three who have considerable numbers of stock, and are realising a rich harvest with their wethers. Perhaps about seven or eight stations are already taken up, the great object being to secure a piece of bush, though generally its neighbourhood renders the ground rather wet, torn, and coarse for stock.

A.s to the Canterbury pilgrims, a year or two must smash them all, with their 50 and 100 acre lots, and this country will fall into the hands of old settlers from the colonies. I think of settling for two or three years here if I can procure stock, which is the only difficulty. The directors of the Association are glad to see the settlers come in, and seem disposed to act fairly with regard to pastoral settlements. In theiv first regulations they proposed to lease inns a^ 1 1. per 100 acres, now they resolve to reduce this to 10s., no one settler to be allowed to take move than 20,000 acres. We are, however, trying to have a poll tax substituted, which they seem inclined io accede to. From 16s. to 1/. is the price of ewes imported; but there are not above a thousand for sale. The risk of importing is so great, that I do not see a likelihood of much further supply this season, besides the dangers of the passage, generally about 10 per cent, die after landing, partly from the change from the hot hold to cold, blowy, or rainy weather, which may happen on their arrival, and partly from the ' tutu,' a poisonous plant which the stock eat greedily, and which has an effect on them not unlike Strychnine. Bleeding in the mouth is the cure, but they require to be sharply looked after at first. After about a month this plant ceases to affect them, and they thrive upon it. Every run ought to have some of it, as if taken from pure grass upon tutu, the danger is as great as ever. Cattle are also affected by it in the same way, but horses are not, its effects being confined to ruminating animals. Igo again on an excursion to the north, to see the country there. Do you think it could be managed, a contract to land young ewes here at 14s. per head, good framed sheep, not too iine ? Let me know what will be my best plan of going to work in regard to funds. It is no place for mercantile business, the pockets of the much vaunted pilgrims not ■being too well lined. They have enough to do to pay for mutton, bread, and firewood. Nothing like agriculture has commenced. The only article I know of that would pay, would be a limited quantity of good salt beef. Price of meat, beef and mutton, 6d. ; 4 lb. loaf, Is, 2d. ——Oii^ne-occasionjveJdlbiL.pieiUy^fjirildjgigs, 5 or 6 a day, and could have killed almost any" quantity: they soon, however, retired; but we

were almost the first who had disturbed their solitude. Quails are very plentiful, ducks local, but with, the exception of in the aforesaid bushes, animal life seems confined to rats and a few miserable larks. Some of the rivers contain eels, but there is no fishing, though the streams are grand enough to suggest most magnificent visions. In conclusion, there is no doubt this country is the best opening now, for limited capital, in the southern hemisphere, though the first expenses must he heavy. If I got my stock this season, I think I could manage to secure timber. There is no doubt there will be a rush of Australians. I do not wish to go beyond any of the large rivers, on account of the difficulty of getting wool or wethers over. My wish is to breed up as fast as I can, and sell out to return to the old shop. Mats or weapons are not manufactured on this island. The natives are reaping a rich harvest with their pork and potatoes, and are quite jolly. I shall probably make a trip to Wellington, and if I can get anything worth sending, will do so. Ever yours truly, Make P. Sxoddart.