THE WAIRAU FARMERS. No. 2.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIV, Issue 1120, 29 March 1879, Page 7

THE WAIRAU FARMERS. No. 2.

MR HENRY REDWOOD'S DOWER JRA.RM. There are few properties in this thriving little province of Marlborough that can boast of such an excellent position as Mr Eeclwood’s lower farm. With extensive frontage to a good public road, a railway station in its very centre, and a navigable river with substantial wharf on its eastern boundary, every possible facility is afforded for the transmission of the various products connected with the farm. Of its natural advantages, the possession of a fine stream of pure spring water, running through the entire length of the property until it empties itself into the Wairau Eiver, must rank amongst the foremost. It is from this stream that the district derives its name of Spring Creek, the stream being so called because of the numerous springs with which it is supplied. In most places the creek is enclosed with high banks, and serves admirably as a huge drain for the bulk of the land through which it passes, as well as providing the means for inexhaustible and powerful water-power. Let the season be ever so * dry, no diminution in the size of the stream is perceptible, as from its rise, until it enters Mr Eedwood’s land, it is continually augmented by a succession of large springs which arc ceaseless in their flow. At a rough calculation, the average dimensions of the stream as it passes through the Lower Farm, can be put down at 40 feet ■nude and six feet deep. Jn_lJlZ6 Mr Eedwood placed in the stream 200 young trout, which he had purchased in Christchurch, and again in December, 1878,. 150 were obtained from the local Acclimatisation Society for the same purpose, but as no traces have since been seen of them, it is impossible to , speak as to the result. The quality _ of the land on the Upper and j Lower Farms is much the same, the soil being composed of a deep rich loam, with a substratum of sandy porous clay in some places, especially on 1 the lower lying lands near the river, it is almost ' impossible to guage its. strength and richness, as ' the black loam is several feet in depth, which * produces unlimited quantities of luxuriant grass. ! The subdivision of this farm is similar to the * upper one, the paddocks being from 50 to 100 acres in extent, and so arranged that the creek forms a natural boundary. A ditch and bank 1 with posts and wire and iron strainers is the o

style of fence most in use, which not only assists in draining the land, but renders the fence completely sheep proof. The crops grown this year consist of 130 acres of wheat, 80 acres of barley, 70 acres of oats, and a few acres in turnips and potatoes. The wheat is expected to yield about 35 bushels to tire acre, the baidey 40, and the oats 50. The total amount of land used for grain crops on both farms is 590 acres, with an estimated yield of 7,500 bushels of oats, 5,200 bushels of wheat, and 11,200 bushels of barley. Mr Redwood prefers the “ Tartarian,” or black oats to any other kind, as they contain more meal, and produce more per acre. The remainder of the lower farm is all under grass, trad is stocked with about 1,500 sheep, 900 of which are pure bred Lincolns, and the rest j^Terinos. About a quarter of a mile from the railway station, and fronting the Spring Creek Road, stands Mr Redwood’s flour mill. The size of the mill is 40 by 38 feet, with a length of stud of 27 feet, and is composed of four storeys, or floors. It is fitted up with four pairs of stones, and is driven by an undershot iron wheel with curved buckets. The size of the wheel is 15 by 10 feet, makes ten revolutions a minute, and is equal to 20 horse power. The mill race is only some Gor 7 chains in length, the creek being dammed up to a height of six feet, and there is sufficient waste water to drive two or three mills of a similar size. The management of the mill is in the hands of Mr Frederick Redwood, whose taste for mechanics has enabled him to make many alterations and improvements to the machinery and fittings. The wheat in its raw state is stored on the bottom floor, and when required for grinding it is carried up to the top floor by means of a hoist, and after being shot into a bin passes through a screen, which takes out all the seeds and small corn. It is then conveyed to the smutter, where the wheat is rubbed and cleaned, the smut and chaff being thrashed through the wire, and after descending through a fan, which blows out any impure matter that may remain, the wheat is properly prepared for grinding. Being thus thoroughly cleaned, the grain is conveyed to the hoppers, and after passing through the stones it is called meal, which falls into a long box fitted with a revolving spiral screw, which conveys it to an elevator, through which it is passed on to the silk dresser, where the flour is separated from the bran and sharps, each being carried away separately, and bagged up ready for market. The silk-dresser is 25 feet long, and is built on the most improved principle. There is little or no dust in the mill, as it is fitted up with an exhaust that carries the dust and hot air from the stones into a small compartment above, where it finds its way into an iron pipe or chimney to the outside of the building. In connection with the stones is some self-acting gear, which rings an alarm bell when the stones require feeding, giving the milier sufficient time to supply them with wheat before they become empty. Mr P. Redwood used formerly to follow the old-fashioned method of dressing the stones by hand, but now uses a patent Diamond Stone-dressing machine, which he finds does the work in less time, and with greater accuracy. In busy times the mill is cajiable of turning out about fifty tons of flour a week. For milling purposes Mr Redwood likes the “ Pearl” wheat best, as it makes more flour and is superior in quality. Workmen are now busy in making a further addition to the mill of the dimensions of 60 by 20 feet, which wall be used as a store for grain. Opposite the mill are the farm buildings, which consist of a seven-stalled stable with two loo’e boxes, blacksmith's shop, and large shed for the waegons, drays, and farming implements. The buildings are enclosed with a strong fence, space being allowed for a large yard, which is well gravelled. The yard is supplied with concrete drinking troughs for the use of the horses and cattle, and are so arranged that a constant stream of fresh water is continually passing through them.

The Homestead is pleasantly situated on an island of about two acres in extent, which is encircled by the water race and creek. The island is planted with choice Californian trees, and nicely crassed, the margin of the creek being thickly fringed with willows. There is also a compact little family brewery, with a capacity for turning out about three hogsheads at a brew. The water for the homestead, brewery, and stables is supplied from the creek by means of pipes that are connected with a hydraulic ram, which lifts about GO gallons an hour to a height of 30 feet. Just across the creek is the orchard and vegetable garden, which covers about one and a-half acres of ground ; it contains a variety of fine fruit and nut trees, and some luxuriant grape vines, which are trained as standards. The whole is enclosed with a large hedge of white thorn, which affords a good shelter. Communication is carried on between the house and garden by means of a suspension bridge made of strong wire rope one inch and a half in diameter, strained taut across the creek, and securely fastened to piles driven on each side; the floor is of one-inch boards, and a piece of ordinary fencing wire serves as a handrail.

At the lower end of the farm north of Gouland’s Ferry is the flax mill, which was erected hy Messrs .Redwood and Howland in 1870, . The Business'of 'flax"^dressihq^waFcorf for about 12 months, but owing to the fall in price and the uncertainty of sale it was ultimately abandoned, after considerable loss. The dam is a substantial structure : a thirty-horse power wheel is attached to the mill, and the water power is unsurpassed in the province. Here then is a splendid opportunity for initiating some local industry; say a woollen factory, and we are sure that Mr Redwood would make the terms so easy that it would be bound to prove a most profitable investment. —G.