CHERTSEY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7864, 20 May 1886, Page 5

CHERTSEY.

[from ode own correspondent.] Ploughing is now general throughout the district. Farmers seem to be sowing more wheat this year than last, and, as a consequence, ploughing is being pushed on with all speed, so that the seed may be got in early, as the late sown wheat is more liable to get frosted than that sown early. Doubtless, there are seasons exceptionally favourable for late sown wheat, but then there is the risk to be taken into account, which, in most cases, is considerable; so that, all things considered, the safest plan, if not the best, is to get the grain in early. Other farming operations incidental to the season are being steadily prosecuted. Tree-plant-ing round paddocks, as a means of shelter, is receiving more or less attention in all parts of the district; and fruit-tree planting is now more attended to than formerly. This, I think, is a step in the right direction, as fruit is one of the best-paying crops that can be grown. If we only look at the. increase of population within the last few years, and consider what it is likely to be in a few years more, and consider that we , cannot produce a fraction of the supply of fruit (of all kinds) we consume now, is there not every prospect of a sure market for all we can grow? Without a douht, the population will increase quicker than our orchards, and, of course, the producer would have the advantage over foreign competitors in the freight that the foreign growers would have ,to pay, and would, in addition, receive the higher price that home grown fruit is sure to bring, while there would be less risk of loss. No country on the . Continent of Europe could grow better or more apples and pears than New Zealand. In Canterbury this season the pear trees were literally weighted to the ground with their load of luscious fruit, and the ground was strewn, with fallen pears in all directions. And even the young trees in some orchards were overloaded with fruit. This shows clearly enough that our adopted land will grow the fruit if we will only take the trouble to plant the trees and tend them properly. No crop will give such large returns with so little trouble and expenditure as fruit trees, and we may with confidence look forward to the demand increasing to a great extent in future years. In matters ecclesiastical we are progessing, upon the whole, satisfactorily. The, gentleman who attends to our religious wants, Mr Eobert Stewart (a student evangelist of the Presbyterian Church), has a very extensive district to overtake, and besides supplying our church here fortnightly, has to visit two other outlying districts —viz., the Beach and Lauriston—besides preaching every Sunday at Eakaia, which may be considered his headquarters. A bazaar and gift auction were held the other day in Eakaia to raise a fund for liquidating an old outstanding debt on the church, incurred years ago. Unfortunately •• the weather turned out unpropitious, and the affair was not so successful as it might otherwise have been, but the friends of the cause were zealous, and worked well to achieve the desired end. Contributions of various kinds were received from friends in the outlying districts, and Mesdames Stewart, Tucker, Bruce and Sharp, assisted by Misses Bruce, Johnston and Stevenson, did good service as stall-keepers on the occasion. I hope the amount realised will satisfy all who took trouble in such a good cause. > For a small hamlet like ours, we have one institution in particular we are rather vain of. I refer to our library. It is in contemplation to increase the already respectable collection of books, and several other articles of convenience for library use have been ordered. An institution like this should be mainly supported by the agricultural community and land-holders of the district; but I am sorry to have to chronicle that this has not hitherto been the case here. And yet, mirdbile dictu, the institution has flourished, and is flourishing ! Some half-dozen good men and true, all residing within a stone’s throw of the institution, have been the prop and mainstay of the whole concern during the past , four or five years. Intermittent halfcrown subscribers are of no earthly use to such an institution. A hearty vital interest in the Library by farmers, and their annual subscriptions paid in advance, sue what are wanted to give a substantial stimulus to our Public Library. I was not wrong in the forecast of success I made in a former letter regarding the ultimate success of our local saleyard. It is in full swing now, and bids fair to prove a useful and profitable investment both to shareholders and the general public. The usual monthly sale was held the other day, when about 3000 sheep changed hands at prices fully equal to current rates. The. sheep-dip and foot-rot race is now in good[ working, and is being utilised largely by sheep-owners in the district. Of amusements, we have not had many lately, to vary the dull monotonous routine of our daily Eves. Athletic games and horse races were held at Easter, which, were well patronised by visitors. The usual dance was held in the evening. A weekly evening dance was attempted, about six weeks ago, but, for some reason or other, I understand it is to be discontinued. 1 hear, however, that our stationmaster, Mr Wells, intends this season to induce some of the young fellows of the district to get up something dramatic, for performance in public during the winter. Well, this is many shades better, at least, than other amusements which Colonial youth affect; and it is to he hoped that he will find apt and diligent pup Es.