THE' HISTORY OF CHEVIOT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9305, 19 November 1901, Page 2

THE' HISTORY OF CHEVIOT.

Whatever the cause, there is no denying the results, which, spell disaster 'to Cheviot, and will give that prosperous settlement a great set-back. The material losses, which are admittedly great, can be repaired by the settlers, and, if not by them, by th» generosity" of a sympathising public ; but there are moral losses that cannot so easily be repaired — refer to the shattering of nerves of the inhabitants, particularly of the woineii and children, and the prejudice that will be formed against residence m Cheviot m the minds oi people all over the colony. Our correspondent also telegraphs the following history of Cheviot : So far back as 1848 the late Mr J. S. Cavcrhill, "after looking well over the Nelson and Marlborough districts, saw the country which is now comprised within Cheviot, and determined to take it up as a pastoral run. Mr Caverhill selected the site for the homestead, and built there m 1849. In 1853 the late Hon. W. Robinßon, having visited Cheviot, made an application to the Nelson Government to purchase a portion of the block, and succeeded m acquiring the whole, Mr Caverhill's tenure ceasing when the fee-simple was purchased. As soon as he had taken possession Mr Robinson set to work to build fences and make extensive improvements. The estate, which is twelve miles square, is about 75 miles from Christchurch by rail and road. There is a small natural port, Port Robinson, well sheltered and excellent from the north-east and easterly winds, and it has a headland and two reefs projecting into the sea so as to partly enclose and form a harbor. The estate was acquired by the Government for settlement purposes under the Land and Income Assessment Act, after special valuations kid been made, at the trustees' valuation of £260,220, and on December 9, 1892, an Order-in-Council was passed giving effect to the same. The transaction was completed on April 19, 1893, when the conveyance was signed, payment made, and the estate became vested m the Crown. Arrangements were made to subdivide the property. A. reserve was made for. a township, to .be called McKenzie, which was divided into lots containing about one rood each. The other portion of the estate was subdivided into lkst and second-class pastoral lands and village settlement lands. The village settlement, agricultural, and pastoral lands were offered for selection on November 13, 1893, and a block of 5000 . acres and the mission house, together with the town lands, on November 17. Great strides have been made by the settlement. The population of the township of McKenzie is given by the Official Year Book of 1901 as 113, and that of the County of Cheviot at 1120. The 4 area held by settlers at. March 31, 1901, was as under: Lease m perpetuity, 13,909 acres; village homestead, 2445. acres; grazing farms, • 45,971 acres; pastoral licenses, 2102 acres ; miscellaneous occupatiou, licenses, etc., 1679 acreß. Up to this year the value of the land amounted to £38,756, and rents, etc., amounted, to £114,367. Early last year the railway extension from Waipar* to Cheviot .was

commenced, and good progress has been made with it.

There will be no practice of the City Band this evening. St. Andrew's Day (30th November) will be" observed m the Government offices as a public holiday. Attention is directed to Mr W. Pettier announcement aver leader, referring to his large stock ofl men's and boys' clothing, hats, ties, etc. The Harbor Board dredge was sent up the river yesterday for the purpose of deepening the channel and making it fit for navigation. Up-country residents will appreciate the advantage of a daily mail service to Kaiteratahi, Te Karaka, and Whatatutu. The Post Office notifies that from and after Monday next mails for these places will close daily at 10 p.m., and inward mails will arrive at 1 p.m. Referring to the fact that last week occurred the anniversary of the Poverty Bay massacre, the Daily Times says: — "In pleasing contrast to those dark days are the present peace, prosperity and rapid progress of. the Poverty Bay district, with which the dreadful event will ever be associated m the minds and memories of the colonists. The Magistrate's Court was occupied all the morning hearing argument m the case of Colonel T. W. Porter (Messrs. Lysnar and DeLautour) v. W. D. S. Macdonald and Fairlie (Mr E. J. Chrisp), a claim for £70 for a year's rent. After further argument this aftemooh, Mr Barton reserved judgment. The longest individual press message ever handled by the local. office, and one that would almost constitute a record for .the colony, was received by Messrs Piesse and Green, of the Gisborne telegraph staff, last eveuing. It was our "special" from Christchurch relating to the earthquake, and comprised 10,065 words. Messrs. Dalgety and Company were removing to their new offices m Read's quay to-day. *- The firm have a fine, substantial store and comfortable offices, and their establishment m that locality should add considerably to the briskness of business m that part of the town. The ambulance lecture to be delivered m the drillshed to-night by Dr Craig is only for the members of the East Coast Mounted Rifles, of which corps he is honorary surgeon. Dr Craig has gone to a good deal of trouble m preparing his lecture, and will give practical demonstrations of what he is teaching. The Palmerston North Borough Council has decided to protest against the "tag" affixed to the Borough balance-sheet by the Auditor-General on account of the sum of £40 expended m connection with Queen Victoria's funeral. It is pointed out that the Act says money may be expended for such purposes out of the credit of general account, not out of credit balance of account, as state-d by the Auditor-General. Mr S. J. Williams, the telegraphic operator, who is referred to as ' having "held the fort" at Cheviot through the trying experience, was recently attached to the Gisborne official staff. He suffered from an attack of typhoid fever last year, and was laid up at Christchurch. recently -with scarlet fever. Upon reporting for duty he was sent to relieve at Cheviot, where he seems to have acquitted himself admirably.. The rain which is reported to-day from Oamaru will be received with much thankfulness by farmers m that district. A resident of the Duntroon district informed the Oamaru Mail last week that if rain— and heavy and prolonged rain at that — did not come very soon, the harvest prospects above Georgetown might be accounted almost nil. Never since the opening up of the Maerewhenua settlement, five years ago, has such a drought been experienced. The following will be of interest to bee-fanners, as it is perhaps a record. Mr Ezra Smith informs us that on October 15 last he hived a swarm of bees which had originated from a last season's hive. On November 18 another swarm was hatched by the new hive, a period of 34 days having elapsed, during which the busy animals had built combs, laid and hatched their eggs. This evidently shows that there is a plentiful supply of bee food m the flowers, and a profitable season will probably result. The coastline of New Zealand has more than once been referred to as undergoing slow but certain changes. Professor Park, m a paper laid on the table at a meeting of the Otago Institute on the possible movements of the New Zealand coastline, pointed out that the laiid was either gradually rising or sinking. It was highly desirable that the Government should erect posts at suitable points, carefully noting the distances from the sea at the time they were put up, and giving all "data for estimating, after a number of years, whether the sea had approached or receded, from these fixed points. "Working Man" writes:— "Sir,— l believe that the Government of this colony has encouraged and established settlements of working men m various parts of both islands, and such are* badly needed here. Rents are very high, and houses scarce. Surely there is land enough adjacent to Gisborne for the purpose, and as our member, the Hon. Mr Carroll, is a practical man, no doubt he would' give the movement his encouragement, and thus earn the gratitude of many working men who find that all their earnings .go for rent, food, arid clothes, and if out of work for any length of time their rent gets ahead of them, and out they have to go, to shift as best they can. Workmen's homes are what is wanted, with an acre or two, and at a moderate rent. It would be money well spent, and prove helpful to many." At a meeting of the Poverty Bay Cricket Association last evening it was decided that the matches left unfinished last Thursday owing to the wet weather should be played off next Thursday afternoon. In order to allow players an opportunity of getting to the Cycling Sports the same afternoon, the games will be decided on the first innings. Iv the City v. West End fixture the latter have only 13 runs to get to win, and the match should be over m about a quarter of an hour. In their match against Kaiti, Whataupoko have only six wickets down for 79, and as Kaiti have yet to bat, this game will take some time. After passing accounts, and arranging that the Gear Committee should meet on the Domain on Thursday to take an inventory of the material, the business of the meeting was brought to a conclusion. How very necessary a measure the Infant Life Protection Act was is evidenced (says the New Zealand Times) by the returns of the registered homes throughout the colony. The mortality rate is now but little higher m these homes than among infants up to four years of age outside the homes, being 29.81 per IGOO, as against 28.9. During the past year 548 homes were registered under the Act, representing 872 infants. The number of deaths was 26, and this' number is very satisfactory when it is considered that the majority of the infants are the iiiegitimate offspring of very young pothers, many of whom, for obvious reasons, are not over-anxious that the infants should survive birth. During the year 11 licensees were prosecuted for breaches of the Act. Nine convictions were recorded, three licenses being cancelled. Despite the ill-luck attendant on their gathering this year, it is satisfactory to find that the East Coast Mounted Rifles will suffer no financial loss m connection with their recent military sports. This is very creditable to the management, taking into consideration the heavy outlay incurred m promoting the sports. In other respects the tournament was a decided success, the events being well contested and interesting throughout. The manner m which the troop horses acquitted themselves m the different movements was admirable, and a large proportion of the members of the corps are specially well mounted. In future years it would be a good move to make the tournament a grand volunteer gathering and extending invitations to the Napier and Wairoa companies to send visiting teams or sections to take part m the competitions. Provision could be made for events suitable for the • inJßantry arm, and no doubt the Gisborne Rifles would join heartily m furthering the success of the tournament, the aim of which would be to bring out those soldierly qualities which our volunteers showed they possess m no small degree, as instanced by their deeds m the Transvaal. The 1 Cadets would also "te able to obtain a lesson from their seniors m the art of war, which would be of service to them m mature years if occasion arose. " As there is no general Easier encampment here similar to the military gatherings m other districts, the tournament would afford an opportunity for the three corps of the district, mounted and foot rifles and cadets, to take part m combined movements and friendly emulation, which would be btfneficial to local volunteering.

The Natives on the Waimate Plains (Taranaki) predict a very dry summer. Early potatoes are being dug round about Manaia (Taranaki). At Dnnedin last week wethers wefre fetching up to 21s 6d each, while ewes were bringing 19s 6d. The statement that the Shaw-Savill steamer Gothic has been sold is without foundation. Tenders have been called for the erection of a power-house for the Auckland Electric Tramway Company. The Lyttelton Times considers the condition of the fruit trade is a scandal and a disgrace to the colony. The Auckland Scenery Conservation Society is urging the City Council to plant more trees iv the public streets. The Auckland Regatta Committee are already at work m commotion with the anniversary regatta on January 29. The Commission of Inquiry into the management of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind at Auckland cost £50. The butchars of Reefton have not only raised the price of meat, but are charging sixpence a pound for fat. A Motupiko (Nelson) farmer had fifty cattle down with tutu poisoning. Seven cows died. Telephone communication is now available between ' Masterton, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, and Feilding. The establishment of a District High School at Palmerston North promises very soon to be an accomplished fact. Hawera has got its Women?* Parliament, which is going to hear the Patea election petition on an appointed date. The Kawhia Settler says there are large deposits of good coal on the land the soutn side of the harbor about to be opened up by the Government. It is a standing disgrace to this colony, and to every member of Parliament, to have a landless Native m the colony. — Mr Symes. The Thames Hospital is at present taxed to more than its capacity. Last week three, of the patients were accommodated with . improvised beds. Auckland yachts had a rough time at the opening of the yachting season on Saturday, and not a few came off with bare poles. While a reaper and binder was cutting a crop of 40 acres near Coonainble, New South Wales, between 400 and 600 rabbits were killed. A Masterton resident recently sold five sections of land at Petone, which a few years ago were mere sand-hills, at £3 per foot. . The measles epidemic is prevalent m. Dunedin and suburbs. At one school over sixty- children were absent from an infant class alone from this cause. Mr H. G. Ell, M.H.R., has been pushing a State banking campaign with vigor m the New Plymouth district, and , has aroused considerable public interest m the question . . The City Council of Christchurch is not aloiie m refusing to grant permission for Sunday sacred concerts. Two or three other municipalities m, the colony have taken the same line. Mosgiel is bestirring itself to have the country bands contest of 1902 held m that township. An energetic committee has been appointed, and over £40 was raised towards the requisite guarantee. The dairying industry is making rapid strides to tne north, of Auckland, and factories are being opened m quite a number of places, i- Several others are also m contemplation. The Feeding Star says :— A farmer is never really discouraged, no matter what happens, and that is why he is the only maa m the world whose undisputed privilege it is to grumble. Of the 247 dairy factories m the colony, 223 are worked by steam, 37 by water power, 7 by gas, 1 by oil, 2 by hand, and Iby horse power. The water, hand, and horse-driven factories are all m Taranaki. Some years ago H.M.S. Serpent struck on the rocks, 1 and went down with • all hands ; and now both, the Viper and Cobra have come to sudden disaster. "Names of ill-omen" will be the muttered verdict of Jack. — St. James' Gazette. A peculiar accident occurred to an infant child at Hamilton the other night. The child was sleeping m a cradle, wnen it was bitten through the hand by some animal— presumably a rat. The hand at once began to swell, and the child was taken for medical treatment. ; , In the course of an interview Captain Pearse, of the Australian Pastoralists' Review, said he found a better all-round collection of cattle at the Hawke's Bay Show than at Canterbury, and that the show at Palmerston was certainly equal to that of Christchurch. The same comparison applied to sheep. We hope that Captain Russell may re-, main m public life for many years 1 to come, for, however much we may dissent from some of his political views, we cannot, fail to recognise his many splendid qualities as a spirited leader, a courteous gentleman, and a constant friend. — Lyttelton Times. \ The biggest man iv Parliament, Mr Seddon, and the smallest man, Mr Piraui, tested their respective weights during a chance meeting at a bazaar at Ashurst the other day. According to a local paper, Mr Seddon turned the scale, with ease at 20 stone, but Mr Pirani found some difficulty m neKotiatinjr Bst 61b. . The New Zealand Axemen's Carnival was held at Eltham, Taranaki, last week The N.Z. Championship Chop (2ft logs) resulted : C. W. Casey 1, C. Hutton 2, J. Pettit 3. The utmost interest was evinced m this contest, Hutton being generally fancied. There was great cheering when the Taranaki champion, Casey, got through his block first. Time, smin 51 l-sth sec. General Baden-^well's one foolish indiscretion, m placing his own effigy upon the Mafeking postage-stamps, has seemingly been remembered against him. His splendid conduct, his bravery, his re sourcefulness m the defence of Mafeking, have, it would appear, been almost overlooked. His humble guerdon for so much: suffered and overcome has been the simple C.B.— Daily Mail. An accident, which will probably mean disfigurement ior life, befell Frank Sandri, aged nine years, who resides with his mother m North Invercargill. A companion was leading a horse along the street, and .the little chap, childlike, got up close to the horse's heels and struck it with a switch. The animal lashed out and struck the child m the face, the caulker of the shoe cutting the greater part of the nose almost off, and laying the bone bare. McLaren's cricket team now m Australia travels under vastly different conditions from those that confronted the pioneer "All England Eleven" of forty years {*£ L The ' voyage- now takes less than nalfl the time; the steamers have become floating palaces;; the cricketing centres m the colonies are all connected by railway ; and the bone-shaking long rides up country m mail coaches only linger m the memories of the few septuagenarian surviving cricketers who experienced their terrors. The remuneration to the professionals of the first team that visited Australia was only £150 per man, now it is £300. The Opunake Times tells the following fishing story:— A resident of Oaonui was out fishing the other day, and after waiting some time? for the expected "bite" he felt a hard tug at his line, which woke him firom his reverie. He hauled m the lin<?, at the end of which was a sft oin shark. With difficulty he dragged it over the. rocks, gave it a knock to quieten it, and then .went along the coast a short distance. When he returned he savr a mass of fish, which he took to be herring, but on closer examination found them to be young sharks, to the 1 number of fortytwo, having been born during his shortabsence. They were all alive, about a foot m length, and would grab at him when handling them. He killed them all. A new torpedo, the invention of Mr J. F. Perkins, who claims Auckland as his birthplace, was tested m the San Francisco Harbor last month, with satisfac^ tory results. Speaking on the subject, the San Francisco Call of October 23rd says:— "Yesterday Mr Perkins' gave his torpedo a trial m the quiet water near the transport wharf. He handled the machine from a small flat-bottomed boat, and when released it went along as though guided by a controlling mind. When the motive-power was turned on the machine disappeared about a foot under water, and made a direct line fcr the vessel it was supposed to destroy. It made several trips to and from two boats an anchor, but collided . with neither of them, as the guide-line m the hands of Perkins brought it up with a round turn." Mr Perkins claims that his torpedo excels the Whitehead. He is now negotiating with the Canadian authorities for a bonus of £30,000 for the invention.