ROUND ABOUT WYNDHAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 31

ROUND ABOUT WYNDHAM.

(By Oufl Travelling Cobbbspoitdsnt.) Beyond the borders of the town we have come of tha finest agricultural land and some cf the best holdings to be seen in Southland, especially along the Mp.taura Valley, and in ,-feat part known as the Island. For cropping, dairying, or grazing- purposes the Mataura Island has never been beaten by a same-sized area on this side of the Taieri, but, •unfortunately,, it is a comparatively small area when compared iwth the vast acreage of Southland land under cultivation. Over 100 bushels of cereal per acre is the common average that can. be obtained anywhere without artificial means being lavishly used, while good cows give more milk if grazing on the Island pasture than on any other part of the district. A, dairy factory was established here some years ago, and it has ever since upheld a noted reputation ior the quality of its milk; consequently its annual output always brings high prices, and ready sales are effected. „*. Menzie's F/erry leads a good second in the 1 agricultural comparison, and has some patches of excellent quality. MtS George Crosbie quite recently threshed 112' bushels to the acre, ■yhich is sufficient to show the land's cropping: .• capacity. -\JxL-ranjy seasons-. the Ferry and Island' are-subject .to floodts, as the banks of the Kalaura are unable to bring; high water down 13i& proper channel. Menzie's Ferry is an oldestablished place, and with it are associated many prominent figures of the-" early days-. A little, township sprang the Ferry-, and the keeper of the first hotel there -is still to the fore -hale and hearty, in the person of Mr Doncan M'Faxlane, primus of Inyercargill. The late Dr Menzies, Dr Frederick Richardson, (father of Messrs G. F., James, and Malcott Richardson), and Mr Develin, occupied large areas' in the- vicinity, and it was front crossing ta Dr MenzieH" place that tho Ferry found a name. During the interesting time of the Southland separation movement many a lively meeting was .held at Menzies' Ferry, in which neighbouring- squatters took a keen interest, formulating motions, etc., for- submission to the general meetings in InvercargilL «L Perhaps Mr Carnie, of Mataura- Island, takes the lead for dairy supplying, often sending over a. ton of milk per day to the local factory. Mr Spratt,. who formerly resided here, was another who kept a- good hard, and Mr Thomas Ayson also does considerable woric in that line. Mr Carmichael devotes most of his attention to cropping, and always obtains excellent results, liven across the river in Seaward Downs some fine holdings are noticed here and thexe, which have the look of belonging to a prosperous and progressive district.