OUR OLD COLONISTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 10189, 19 December 1894, Page 2

OUR OLD COLONISTS.

( ROMULUS STREET, Esq., OF WOODLEY FARM, BELL BLOCK,

(by our sphcial.)

At a time when the trend of politics and the inclinations of morbid politicians justify the conclusion that there is one section at least of the community which aims at the subversion of all constitutional principles, viz., a sustained attack on vested rights; at a time when so much capital is being made out of the platform cry : "No large holdings," it behoves tho3e who are observant and of an enquiring turn of mind to calmly review the position of those who happen to possess perhaps slightly more than the quantity of land that agitators think necessary for the sustenance of a man with a large family.

In viewing the position of what I should term a "moderate holder.'' the main question to be considered is : Was he a pioneer? Did he put his labor into the land ? or, did he acquire it when cleared and fit for use, to the detriment of others ? If the last, I may or may not write on the defensive, but if the answer be that the bugbear (the big holder) pioneered the land and brought his thews and sinews into requisition to change a howling wilderness, however pretty, into producing land, then I most emphatically assert that those who for purposes of their own constantly raise a hue and cry against the holding of more than a certain acreage, should be treated with that consideration which is accorded to bedlamites and such other irresponsible persons.

When it comes to be considered that the yeomanry class, as heretofore insisted on by me, is the backbone and sinew of a country, especially a young country, it will be seen that the pioneer is a personage of some importance, more particularly when such pioneer carried his life in his hands, and fought not only for his own hearth and fireside but for the general weal.

Though born in Cornwall, in England, Mr Street? when two years of age was brought out by his father in the Oriental, and touched New Zealand soil at New Plymouth. His father, who was a wheelwright by trade, naturally on landing found no use for his calling, but in the course of time opened business on his own account, and is credited with having built the first dray that travelled the streets of this town. When of a proper age, Master Romulus was put under the tutelage of Mr Beardsworth, but at that time education was very desultor3 r , and obtained what scholastic lore he possesses at fits and starts. Labor of any Kind being, in those days almost priceless, Master Romulus assisted at home until "reaching the age of manhood, he struck out for himself, purchasing 50 acres of land at Bell Block. These acres with infinite trouble he cleared, and just when about to reap the fruits of his labour, the outbreak of 'GO compelled him with many others to flee their holdings and take shelter in the blockhouse at Bell Block. It may be mentioned here that it is supposed that Mr Street was one of the first settlero at Bell Block. Be that as it may, on taking refuge in the Blockhouse, his courageous temperament would not admit of his remaining idle, and forthwith he bhouldered his knapsack and gun and took part in all the' engagements that ensued until the outbreak was thoroughly crushed. For a long period during the continuance of the war, he acted as mounted orderly, and was in most cases associated with Mr George Hoby, who is even to-day well-known as one of tho heroes of that time.

At the conclusion of the war, Mr R. Street returned to his farm to find it in a state of desolation, but with that energy and indomitable spirit pertaining to all who hail from the Old Country, he rebuilt his home and once- more pur-sued the even tenor of his way, until learning of the possibility of acquiring the property now known as Woodley, he relinquished his venture, and with axe on shoulder, undertook the Herculean task of clearing 600 acres of most thickly timbored country.

Passing the Village Inn at Bell Block and turning down a road which has more the 3ppearancß of a lane than a road, which opens up between two nice paddocks, tho one belonging in Mr Honeyfield and the othor to Mr Jacob, a spin of 2 miles brings tha visitor to thcgate that gives ingress to Woodley. A winding road flanked on either si> If by well cleared and healthy looking paddockfc, with here and there :t clump nf the native Wsh in its pristine vigor ; with gorges to be seen now and ag.iin, and uprising lands clad in every shade of verdure, leads to tho home paddock, where, entirely hid by foliage of every hue and description, lies snugly ensconced the homestead which could occasionally bo seen from the road leading to Waitara. Opening the garden gate, the eye is almost dazzled by the variegated flowers, which not only affect the visual organs, but also the olfactory nerves. Mass upon mass of choice and beautiful flowers expand within well-sheltered beds, and ths whole is crowned by the tall upright stem of a flowering aloe which is almost in bloom. One particular patch of this extensive garden is devoted to a bed of gooseberry bushes, no fewer than 18 distinct varieties being theroin reared. Those of Mr Street's friends who affect this fruit had better visit the place at once, since the bushes are laden down with fruit.

Proceeding to the house, where a warm welcome awaits, it will bo found that the structure, a two-storied one, containing, eleven rooms, is built with a view ' to comfoit ss well as convenience. The rooms are thoroughly well furnished, and evince the taste of Mrs Street, who, in her maiden tdsys, a Miss Barribab, was led to the hymeneal altar some 2G years ago. _ Mrs Street who is a very affable and hospitable lady, with a shrewd wit of her own and conversational powers of no mean order, was bom in New Plymouth, her parents having come to the colony in theTimandn, the 4th vessel that reached tin's shore. The mother of five boys, the eldest of whom is 25. and five girls, this lady gives one tho impression that Father Time has been particularly gracious to her.

Leaving the house you proceed to the dairy where in troughs holding watf r to a certain height pans upon pans of milk in various stages o£ creaming may be seen. To use tin* homely though hackney 'd phrase— you could eat your food off the floor of this dairy — and too much cannot be said in favor of Mrs Street and her daughters who devote themselves to this department.

Lea\ ing tho dairy and passing through a kitchen garden to one side of the house, the poultry yard and dovecots arc nexo viewed, and here scores of birds of r.iro breeds; including tho Partridge Cochin and the Light Brahma find food and shelter.

Passing through the poultry yard yon. enter a paddock which is bounded by a protty belt of native timber, among which may bo seen some specimens of tho valuable puriri, beyond this again is the hay paddock where one of Bamletts mowers is at work on about 40 ari>'s of grass. Walking to different coigns of vantage, it will he found that the whole run of GOO acres, subdivided into ten paddocks is made up of level stretches with occasional hills and ,t few gorges the whole being of a very picturesque appearance. With the rivor Mangaoraka bounding one side of the property and tho Corbott Road ths other, whilst adjoining properties bound the other sides, it would be difficult to find a move compact run than Woodley. Every paddock contains a Bpring, and the stock have no occasion whatever to resort to the river. Of the whole lands ■ only 10 acres have not boon cleared.

In one comfortable and large paddock a portion of tho valuable herd of Mr Street grazes, and is a sight well worth seoing. Of tho 150 head which comprise the herd a number arc Holstein, than ■which it would bo impossible from a practical point of view to find more valuable cattle. These, and oven a judicious crossing of these will bo found not only to be wonderful milkers but after uss in that direction to bo the

best saleable cattle for beef. The specimens not only of the pure, but of the cross betweenjjthe Holstein and the Short S horn, possessed by Mr Street show such qualities that any advocate of the Jersey would on inspection of these become convinced that the Jersey is not to be compared to those mentioned. Taken from every point the Holstein is a much superior animal, and much more hardy. An eighteen month Holstein bull running at large in ihis piddock is assuredly the creme de la crane of the lot, for even as a ] baby he is a monster, and shows his high breeding in all points. A pedigree 3-year-old Holstein by Dutchman out of Primrose, jSTo. 9 in the New Zealand Herd Book, is worth more than notice. About fifty of the cows are milked daily, and though Mrs Street manufactures butter, it is probable that shortly the milk, which is more than abundant, will be sent to some factory. Six hundred sheep pasture on the run, and these are purely Leicester.?. The clip obtained lust season was very heavy, and equalled twelve bales, which realised more than the average price. In lambing there was not a loss of 3 per cent , so that an idea may be formed of the nature of the shelter, &c, on Woodley. Twentynine capital Leicester rams are at grass, and here is an opportunity for farmers for securing some of these very valuable animals, as most of them are for disposal.

In addition to these, about fifteen hoises feed on the run.

It must not be omitted that Mr Street farms not only scientifically but judiciously, for, besides the 40 acres under hay, he has 11 acres in wheat, which is looking wonderfully healthy, 10 or 11 acres in turnips, 3 acres in carrots, 2 acres in potatoes, and 2 in maize.

A number of well-bred Berkshire pigs find room in an open paddock, and, after a deal of experimenting, Mr Street has found that the Berkshire breed is incomparable. His opinion has been upheld by numbers in the district, who have also, after trial, come to the same conclusion.

Recently Mr Street has leased a 2000 acre block at Awakino, on which his eldest son at present resides, and which, of course, becomes his (the son's) property.

Mr Street has for years annexed prizes (medals) at the Taranaki Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Shows, and also at the A. and P. Shows for both cattle and Leicester rams.

Taken altogether, I question if there could be found a better laid out or a better worked tartn than Woodley, and well does Mr Street deserve the prosperity that is his present lot, for, in the past, probably no man wrought harder than he did.