MARLBOROUGH VISITED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11874, 25 April 1899, Page 6

MARLBOROUGH VISITED.

f“ Cajstssbburt Tekes” - j BLENHEIM.

The disadvantages in respect-to:situation under which the "town of Blenheim labours are generally known. There is no doubt the floods which so frequently'inundate the locality are a great hindrance to its progress, and it is, therefore, all the more creditable to the residents that very material progress is- being made- There is no doubt that, dose settlement, having-now been fairly begun in the district, will be increased, ahd the dl. trict, from its advantages of climate and soil, become one of the most prosperous, instead of the most backward, in the colony. Of the fertility of the district there is most abundant evidence. Leguminous plants—peas, beans, clovers, etc.—are wonderfully productive, indeed, this is one of the chief sources ;from which seed peas,, alike of "field, garden and flowering varieties, are derived for the supply of English and other seed houses. Fruit of all kinds grows in profusion, and, when - the necessary, care is-taken, of great perfection. The codlin moth has been a great-pest, but most-ef the-growers now take steps to minimise its ravages, instead of trusting to Providence—as was -the case-,formerly, and is still -with some of the non-progressive settlers—and fruit is a product of appreciable value. A fine orange tree, flourishing in front of the residence of Mr Litchfield,. a progressive farmer, and ex-president of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, shows that in fruit-growing there-are-great, possibilities here. The district has also bean reported upon as particularly suited for growing .grapes For~wiim-m;iking. Of the pastoral capabilities of the distinct it need only be said that the-premier stud flock of merino sheep-in Hew Zealand, that of Mr Charles Gauiter, Haavkesbniy, is located close by, while Mr D, BishelTs Lincolns have mere than a local fame. Some of the best Jersey cattle in the colony are also to be found here, especially at Mr Ganlter’s, who has some fine animals from Mr George ■GouH’s formerly Mr BL P. Hill's) imparted stock in his herd. The Wool from the stations in the district is of very high quality, and the export of mutton, -and lamb is carried on from the Wairau Freezing Company’s works when supplies are available, and is reported upon from London., as being equal to the. best-brands-xecerved from Hew Zealand- It is a capitM dairying district, but for some reason the local butter factory is very inadequately supported. Nature has been so bountiful to the dwellers in this district that they apparently feel called upon for only the very slightest efforts to assist her. Much —it may almost be said most —of the land is smothered with weeds Stinkweed, blackberry, sweet-briar, borage and other noxious weeds are flourishing everywhere, even on some of the best land. They not only impoverish the land on which they grow, but they are also; a menace to the whole country-side. It will be a-very-difficult-matter'to eradicate the weeds, but they should certainly be kept in check, by the force of legislation if other means-fail, Marlborough sympathies are. entirely with Canterbury. There is a Railway League, which has for its object the opening of

through railway communication between Picton and Canterbury, thought this, to. an outsider, such as the writer, looks like a mistaken deprivation of the northern province of a bright commercial fntme. The farmers say that the Canterbury exporters can buy sheep in the Sounds and drive them past the local works, a distance of some

two hundred miles, to Belfast or Islington. They overlook the fact that this is -a re-, flection upon the local husifiess methods.. It is said that it costs Is more to freeze a lamb, and Is 6d more for a sheep at the Wairau works than at the, Canterbury establishments. The former slaughter at the old preserving works at Spring Creek and rail the carcases to Picton, where they are’, frozen and stored in a hulk, the capacity of which is only 5000 sheep. The ocean steamers come alongside the Picton wharf, to load, and there seems no reason why the facilities of one of the best ports in New Zealand should not be availed of to build up, not only the frozen meat trade, but the general commerce of the district. Railway communication with Canterbury may induce* competition, hut only to a certain point- The sea must always conquer in a question of cheap carriage. The idee, suggests itself that Blenheim is so antagonistic to Picton that it would rather see it starve than prosper, hut tEe progress and prosperity of the* district -arc surely superior to such a local feeling. With the.railway to Flaxbourue, and tho intervening ■ country and much of the Sounds closely settled,Blenheini must become an important centre, and there is every reason why it should conduct its own commericinl affairs rather than become a hanger-on-of Christchurch or Wellington. There are good men Sn Marlborough, and .many of them have shown that they are not wanting in enterprise, and it is surely not to be assumed that they will be lethargic in such an important matter as securing Marlborough for the “ Marlliaruvians.”