OUR NORTHERN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2257, 3 June 1897, Page 22

OUR NORTHERN LETTER.

(FaoM Our Own Correspondent.) May 13. NMV PLYMOUTH. | The town of New Plymouth, nexb fco that of WaDganui, is perhaps the most livable place on the west coasb of the North Island. Like se Fen-hilled Rome its houses and streets stand upon the rolls of the broken country, bub, unlike the ancient city of fair Italia, this capital of Taranaki province ia hard by the shores of the loud-sounding ooeaa, the waters of which also wash the old world sugar loaves' western jagged boundaries to the swelling tide. Time was when New Plymouth was an unpeopled solitude, echoless to the voice of man, and when the only sounds that invaded its silence were the roar of the south-western gales over the tops of Mount Bgmont and the lower forest-crowned hills and the thunder of the surf upon the reef, and then the good quaint folk tram Devon lett old England, sailed across the herring pond, and, landing here on a wild coast not unlika their own, they found abundance in a rich, well-w.itered soil, aud settled down to turn up the wild truffles of the woods, aud the roots of the bulrush, and the sweet heart of tha black punga, of the low places aud gulches, into gardens and orchard", grazing patches aud cornfields, and all the wild fauna and ilora into poboed delicacies and rare flowers of the old country ; and then generations followed on, and then population, begotten of close intermarriage, multiplied and replenished the fair earth, aud the forests were cut down and the hills levelled off in piaces tor the comfort of the people, and aw.iy back eoufch and north or the big mountain the copperskinned people watched witn jsalous eye this growth and acquirement of all the bast lands, till they could bsar it no longer and rv.se up in wrath s,nd smote the intruders with tomahawk aud spear, wild actions which stirred up all the martial blood of those old Devonianu, so thab hot war waged batwean the two races, the copper skins going underneath, and scattering to all points ot the compass, to dio ouo aud return no more. Now handsome buiidiDgs rose everywhere, and in which is done all the trade aud commerca of this prosperous province. ' The soree' s »ro neat and clean and well made, aud capitally drained ; atd in place ot ths baroarium and isolation is the healthy bustle aud activity of prosperous civilisation, mi.de so by New Plymouth's 3525 souls working on 830 acres of town belt al an elevation ot about 100 ft ovar sea level aud a dist*nc3 of 253 miles no.-to. of the Empire City of Wellington. New Plymouth's educational, ecclesiastic*!, official and judicial, municipal and county societies and all the other etceteras requisite towards the completeness of any British towns are all right ; ics population seem fairly prosperous, and, barring a irictiou b-tseeu tne General Government and the Harbour Board over railway charges from the oreakwater to the town, a distance of two milea, 10, the carriaj^s on which 3s 6d per ton is charged, the lolk all appear to be jolly dingJODg souls, who also eujoy, amonget other liquids, the capital water supply laid ou all over tne town. As the years flic Dy the agriculture ot this district grows apacs, and inuustries in timber, bacon, butfcer, cheese, and fruitgrowing are extending in every direction. After the cnurcbes, the bauds, the State schools, and the public halls comas the following business places : — The Imperial Hotel, in D«svou street, now being favourably run by Mr Frank W. Watts ; further up is Me G. Pickard's ojster saloon, an institution offering in nice condition all sores of sea delicacies ; a few doors up ou the same aide you can indu'ge in fruit, flsn, and ices ab Mr Smith's ; nearly opposite Mr A. Wade, grocer and provision dealer, ctoss a large share in the honours of town aud country in that line ; close by is the neat shop of Mr E. Evetts, who supplies the staff of lite all rouud, and charm* the rising g-snerabiou with his confectionery. On the aunuy side ot Devon street is the nicely fifcted-up premises of the New Zealand Clothing ffactory, well managed by Mr J. C. Burrow, who has bean niuejeirs in the company's employ, two of whiuh have been spent nere. Come on to the Downshire Boob Warehouse. Here's the genial proprietor (Mr S. W. Jackson), who readily shows me over his establishment, the articles inside which find great favour with the people. Now we are at the Alexandra Hall, leased by "Messrs Fisher and Jone3, who also carry on business in their extensive establishment next door as cabinetmakers, upholsterers, and importers. The Alexandra Hall, capable of seatiDg 1000 people, is^ well fitted up and liberally patiomsed by itinerant; showmen and local talent. Away up the western rise, and opposite the past office, is the West Ead Grocery Warehouse, owned and well managed by Mr and Mrs John Irvin, whose business is extending so rapidly as to necessitate au extension of the premises, a consummation to be shortly arrived at. A little way up Brahma street is the hairdressing establishment ot Mr Adolph Jo/, who enjoys the confidence as well as the liberal patronage of miny cheats. Further up, on the s»nia aide, is the workshop of Mr William Audrews, akiltul carver and designer in wood. His handiwork beautifies many of the town buildings, and his work on the shield of the Csntral High School is noteworthy. Returning to Devon street, one can scarcely fail to notice the ironmongery establishment of Messrs Okeys, Arnold, and Karp, who combine important agencies for standard up-to-date agcicultaral implements and machinery with thess of timber and building material, wallpapers, and artists' material, besides employing a staff of painters, gbziers, and Bu;nwriters. The interior of the establishment resembles a brilliant baziar, and the firm deservedly enjoy a large, prosperous, and dai y-increasing trade. Close by is the fancy bread and bhcuit baking establishment of Mr H. Revell, whose window of a Saturday night — a brilliant bUz 3of glass and silver — is very attractive. Well situated in Egoaout street, the popular Mr J. W. Wesi owns aud capitally ru;is the Tattersall'a Livery and Btit Stables, and can hire you anything on wheels from a weddiag carriage to a hearse, from a lady's saddle horae to a. circus rider's buckjumper. OI boardiug homes Naw Plymouth is well supplied, there being the Sandlodge Boarding Houss, kept by Mr Schurmey ; the Egmont House, in Broham street, owned by Mr Martin ; the Grand Central Coffse Palace, corner of D_von and Egmonb street?, managed by Mr C. Auscett ; and the Clarendon Boarding House, situate on the South Road near the railway station, managed by the proprietress, Mm Johnson. One of the sights of New Plymouth is THE SOUTH ROAD NUR3r:HY, owned and kept by Mr J. W. Morsbead. Oa j the southern boundary of the town belt, within I coo-ec of Paratutu. nestling down among the kindly ro'ling hills aud terraces protecting it from the fierce winds frequently roaring here, as well as conserving nil the warmer rays of the sun, the fine land of the nursery sends up in due season it 312 acres of rare shoots and bads and

bloaeoms, and shrubs and ornamental trees, hedgegroves and valuable wind-breaks, under the plantiug, watering, and care of the master hand. Mr Morshead ib right amongst his best friends the daphnes, and eagerly welcomes me. " Yes, I will foel pride in showing you my garden. Let us go to the camellias." And we go. Camellia court boas Is some 24 varieties, and sent out to the world over 2000 roots lasb year, yet over 7000 are left in the garden to mourn their loss. They are healthy, strong, and beautiful. Threading a garden walk beautified on either side by a rich profusion of flowers and rara shrubbery, we gain a secluded spot behind a thick wind-break of Pinus insignia. "This," exclaims the nurseryman, "is my daphne bed. I have 7000 'layered.' Ib has taken me over six weeks to do this wouk. They are all coming ou well, as you may nee ; and when they are ready to lift I shall geb one shilling wholesale for each of those little roots." " Ib is libble wonder that you are fond of them," hazarded I, as we went to the magnolia bed, where we found two varieties of 700 grand de fleurs flourishing. Pausing here, bhe floriculturist; said : " I have had most of the eminent authorities here, and they have freely expressed unanimity on the point of their perfection." " I have visited mauy gardens myself, and I can only add I have never seen anything in the Hue to excel this." Pleased, he led the way all through the barberries, 50,000 of which grew about ready for hedge-growths. " For ths hedges of Taranaki barberry is tbe best for inland, bub give me box-bres near bhe sea, as the salt spray does nob hurb the latter," exe'aimed Mr Morshead, as we continued threading acre after acre of ornamental trees, apple trees of 126 varieties, Japanese plums, guwas, olearias, giant b\mbDO9, heath in great variety, and Scotch heather, eleaguus growing upon the hill slope. Ah ! and here's bhe lovely sweetlyBc^uted tuberoses, all in bloom ; the half-aero of capital rhubarb, aud the strong brakes of Norfolk Island pine beyond. And theu goodbye to South Road Nursery, its picturssque surroundings, and clever owner. New Plymouth, May 19. THE CA.LEDOXI.AN NUKSBRY. New Plymouth's baauty spot is the Caledonian Nursery, owned, tilled, and tended by Mr M. Mitchinson. Well situated on 12 acres of the finest of land, and in Leaaou street — appropriate name — the gardeas are simply a wcalbh of fruits, flowers, and shrub?. Close by the owner's residence a greenhouse 66tb by 16fb nourishes and flourishes mauy varieties ot rare plants, palms, and ferns, noticeable amongst which are bannas, maiden hair, Sterstodia Regina, double and single tuberous begonias, gloxinias, coleas. Further on th- 1 cjol houss holds a profusion of fuchsias (50 varieties), Japanese maples, and petunias ; adjoining are glazed frames with the New Zealand Christmas tree (pohutukawa), silvar tress, daphnes, hyacinths, and other rare flowers. Outside we walk beneath an archway of Cuprdssuslawsoniaua to the fields beyond in' the south of the garden of apples, peaches, plum 9, nectarines, figs, apricots, and the little tree strawbjrry. Then we hold south-east through fairy bower* of shrubs and native trees, palms, and lordly ferns; beds of heatb.3, till we come to the lemon grove, where there is a little forest of shaddock?, oranges, lemoas, and Japanese persimmons, ripening their fruits ; whilst a wealth of camellias blush pleasure^everywhere. Nowwe gain a' neat walk bordered in beds of dahlias, cactus, double white tuberoses, Japanese irises, variegated gladiolas, azaleas, aud daffodils, which will shortly come laughing through the ground. In another field Mr Mifcchinson rears the Spanish chestnut, the walnut, the English, Americau, and Turkish oak, the New Zealand kauri ; also maple, sycamore, beech, elm, ash, aud native puriri, thousauds of hedgerow shrubs and other valuable windbrsak». Auskland, Christchurch, .Dunedin, and Wellington nurserymen and seed men draw largely upon the wealth of the Caledonian Nursery, and Taranaki folk are beginning to patronise this beautiful local industry. THE STEAM COOPERAGE MANUFACTORY in Powderham stresr, owned and managed by Messrs J. Ward and San, enjoys all fae trade of the butter works,' dairies, and factories all around the province. When I visited the establishment, the firm gladly showed ma over the work", the initial power of which was a 6-h.p. R )bay verticil steam engine. Amongst other manufactures of importance, the cooperage hvl jusb turned oub bwo 1509 gal bobara wood vato to the order of Mr J. Paul, of the Taranaki brewery. TAKANAKI FOUNDRY. Next dow Mr F. W. Okey, first-class engineer and founder, who has been hard at it for over 10 years pasb on burbines, waber mobors, and gearing, shafting, pulleys, mill aud facbory gearing, trolley wheels and sawspindles, engine fittings, and boilers, is afc "horns," and pdobs me through his many lathes and wheel gear, forges, and brawny "compebantß " The moulders are ab work to-day, and turning out patterns for ornamenbal work betutifully desigued by Me William Andrews, of Broham sbneet.. Me Okey, whose firm has been established here over 30 years, also enjoys a big reputation for brasswork. MoroßuA FAmr. Down by the breikwater or porb of New Plymouth, where the sea and tha cemanb blosks at the Sugarloaves (Jlofcorua, Mikotahi, and the Camelback) are always having a row, and inland the oil springs occa'ionally spout high up oub of the derricks, and the Government railway runs one mile and a-half for 3i 6d per ton under menace of the losal harbour board, in a easy nrjk of the encircling hills, skirted at their bases by the Bxrrett road, stands Mikotahi Villa on the riohly-grass3d lands of Motorua Farm, run, owned, and cultivated by Mr W. J. Honeyfield, and alt-Jiving at a distance South of the town of Ne » pTyuiu'RUlu »U. about two miles. The grounds comprise about 60 acres of capital grazing paddocks, which maintain 24 Jersey milkers (whose produce find ready sale on the vessels of the port) and also all fatted cattle, horses, and sheep awaiting Bhipmenb on the steamers in the cattle trade of the port. I may add ttufc one of the oil welis stands uoon this valuable property. Up ab Mikotahi Villa — an imposing structure — the good lady therof superintends, and ia popular with bhe tourists aud convalescents seeking health aud eajoymant ab this capital seaside reaorb, which as it comes to be known is drawing liberal patcoaag?. Mr Honeyfield, who was born here 40 years ago, can pjiab oub ' many places of deep, historical interest. Here is the oldest dwelling house in Tarauaki. Dicky Birretb, the renowned whiler of the old time, lived here when r,hs war befcwean Wdimu Kingi aud her M_>sb G'i'c'ojß M*j siy Quean Victoria cost bhe Imperial Government £500,000 and tbe colony £200,0D0 Some of bhe paddocks in which the cattle are quiet'y grazing were th"3 sceaes of wild bloodshed theu ; now all i? peace and prosperity. TED T4.RANAKI FHEEZING BUTTER WORKS. Oil the seacoa3t side of the Barrett road, and nearer to the breakwater, stands the newlyerected premises of the Tarauaki Fretziug Batter Works. Established last September under the able management of Mr D. X Morrison, the company is doing something lika 3000 boxes of butter par week, tte frozen article, which has a capital name, being

shipped off to foreign parte, where it finds ready sale at bop prices. Mr MorriEon, previous to taking charge of tb.l3 important position, held for over 10 years the post of engirieor to the steamship Rotorua. FITZROY. The Taranaki Bacon Factory, started some threo months ago bj an enterprising reaidenfc, Mr A. Drake, is meeting with big success and supporb from tha farmars in and around Fitzroy. A visit to the f acbory discloses all the very best appliances there for topping off, killing, curing, and smoking bacon. Everyone here is confident that Mr Drake's industry ia going to be the biggest of successes in the province, and the enterprising owner is already oalled on to expend his premises. -