OLLA PODRIDA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13455, 20 June 1907, Page 6

OLLA PODRIDA.

Lyttelton, as far as the ordinary tra- 1 veller is concerned, is a dead letter for visiting purposos. The train conveyfe the passenger to the wharf, the railway men hand the luggage to the stewards of; the steamer, the passenger walks on board, and the vessel goes off. This is all that is seen of "the once most impdrtant town of Canterbury. Up to the early sixties Norwich Quay was lined with offices of merchints^most of whose names atfe, now absolutely % fojgotten. We never 'hear now of ''Cookson and Bowler/ 5 of "peacock aria 'C 6./' of< "Latter'ahd Co.,"' and 'many other once important and influential firms which have gone the way of all things. Norwich Quay once fronted the water, waves broke on the shore, and spray watered the street. 'Now it is really a back street, having all the railway lino 3 in front, which are built on land reclaimed from the bay. There are, howaver, still old land marks to be seen. The store occupied by Cookson and Bowler, and which stood at the foot of the Government Jetty, is now the Harbour Board Office and a long way from 3alt water. The building, erected of stone, by the Union Bank of Australia, once the only bank in Canterbury, in the late fifties, still stands and is used for its original purpose. Beyond this building still starts the foad over the hill, but this once well-travelled track is now falling into decay. , Over this bridle track a pack Uor3e went twice every day, carrying mails and light luggage. Foot passengers, on pnying «ixpenco, were allowed to catch hold of its tail and thus help thomselves up the iteop rise.. On the downward track, on the Heathcote side, was the "Godley Spring," which was, in the early days, found by Miss Godley and was marked with a l)asin and a cross, and was a blessing to travellers on hot days. ■On reaching the foot of the track in the Heathcote Valley a cart^ with a horse in the shafts and one in an outrigger, waited to take passengers to Christchurch, for which the charge was 2s 6d.it Then, drays went from Christchurch to* Lyttelton round Sumn~er and were l\icky if the 24 mile journey there and back was done in a day. These drays took important goods which were immediately required, while heavy and bulky goods went by craft to the Hoathcote River, where were wharves which have now fallen into decay, and their existence is forgotten. A day may still be agreeably spent in. walking about Lyttelton, which is really, on account of the shipping and bf. those employed therein, a town of size and weight. Walking along the Governor's Bay Road a capital view of the shipping and wharves and railway is obtained. Beneath is the graving dock and the patent slip, both often in use, and one as it were stands over the whole connection of Canterbury with the outside world. The Gladstone pier, which forms one, and the exposed arm, of the inner harbour, was built many years since, and has shown *how well v properly constructed sea wall will withstand the action of the seas. During the time when tho export of wheat and other grain was the chief industry of the plains it was no uncommon thing to see five or six full-rigged ships alongside and others in the stream, all getting loaded or waiting their turn. Now a small barque, and two topsail schooners show how the com:se of trade has altered, for the steam wharyos are full of big steamers and the trains are constantly bringing load after load of frozen mutton to be taken speedily to the Home markets. Lyttolton, though owning little if any flat ground, still I has its domain, which forms a feature in the landscape, and the trees, planted from the shore of the harbour to the Governor's Bay Road, form a pleasant shade, which is well laid out with walks, more or less steep, and is well found with seats. The town is stretching over the neighbouring; hills much in the same manner as Wellington does, and causes wonder as to how firing and food are conveyed into these high and 1

steep localities. The gaol is, to some I people, the most import&nt feature of Lyttelton. It stands on the side of. the hill and all the country above was bare mountain side. Now there are twft or throe streets lined with houses above it. The air of Lyttelton must have a good effect On the preservation of timber, for a small jhouse Which was imported in one of thc£#rst ships nearly sixty year 3 ago, and was fitted together in panels, and at onc"e erected, still stands, although lean-tos have been placed on two sides. ' When we get back to Wellington the air seems full of fodtball, golf, and other, sports, whicfe fill the ordinary New Zealander's mmd to (the exclusion of business and j>oriDtfal advancement. ( Miramar is a now suburb reached by ferry steamer in the harbour and by tram lately opened. The trip occupies h;Uf an hour and costs sixpence. On Satur-; days and half holidays all vehicles are crowded with young people to the num1 her of hundreds, loaded with the implements of their sports, wending their way to this open spot, which already has its mayor, its park, and all necessary to make it a popular resort. But it is fast closing up with houses, and the wonder is where all these crowds of sporting people will get their next pitch. It seems that a syndicate hca only to hear of a piece of land, no mattor how inaccessible-, being in tho market, than it is seized, roaded, sectionised, and buildings a,re at once erected : even out to Kaitoke thi3 i 3 going on. Over the Rimutaka and leaving Cross Creek we find Featherston, a neat homely little place, once hoped to be of considerable, extending' importance, as it was laid out at the end of the Wairarapa plains, immediately before the rise over tho hill to Wellington, and thus caught all the traffic which was going to and from the interior of • the island. Tlje opening of the Government line and still more of the JVfanawatu seems to have stagnated the place. Still there aro several farms on good land and a good deal of sheep country well occupied. There is a quantity of country, however, too stony to work and on' which ti-*ree and cottonwood rule rampant, but which is said in its native state to -provide quantities of feed. At Featherstdn is situated a dairy factory owned by one or two families and used to 'manufacture their own milk. There are about 500 cows at { least constantly milked and their pro- , duce is coiiveyed to the factory in tyre' waggons. The plant is American, driven by a Tangye engine, and has a churn and butter-workor combined in j one, said to be, the only machine of its kind in New Zealand. After the butter has come a framo is inserted and the churn revolving, the butter falls through" rollers till it is sufficiently worked ; then the frame is removed and a truck put in its place, which, as tho revolutions of the, churn fill, is wheeled to a table from which the butter proceeds to the cooling room in the ordinary way. .<. At this south end of Ihe Wairarapa Valley are situated also Martinborough and Greytown. The latter i 3 connec f ed with the main lino by a little branch, which serves to use up obsolete railway plant. These towns will, if the main line is ever taken round the Rimutaka instead of over it, gain in importance as houses and dwellings extend on the^at from Wellington. From all these places good views of the lake aro to bo obtained and the* clear air wili make theso flats desirable residences. At present £he cost of getting to tho centre provents -their u^e except for dairying and sheep, but the price of land is steadily atjvancing in view of future requirements. " It is astonishing to find the absolute ignorance displayed by our younger people of the original state of the country and of the dray/backs and privations which tho original settles underwent. Seeing- i&e country in its present coadi'tion and knowing nothing of what brought it to this state, no wonder that the pioneers now resting from their exertions are called "Social Posts." There is. no thought of what £ho country was before their advent or of^ what if would be like without their work. A Government, fulfilling its duty, would supply information in each local school of the original state of the surrounding district, would emphasise tho moans taken ts bring it to its present condition, and would Cause tho rising generation to hold in esteem and veneration those hardy pioneers who i underwent untold hardships and priva- j tions in order that the present genera- J tion might' itejoice in 'civilisation, livt* at oase and comfort, and spend hour ! after hour' in sports and pleasures instead of drilling; and camping out to defend their homes from the aboriginal j natives. J. J. E.

I Chamberlain's Cough Remedy is good ■ for any member of the 1 family. It euros ccughs of. all kinds. It is the product of much thought and study. It is composed of ingredients which cure easily and soothingly without harming, the most delicate 'tissues ef the throat. Chamberlain's Cough; Remedy acts as easily and saf,ely on the young as on the old. It is the ideal remedy for coughs. For sale, by all dealers