Alford. Forest.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5170, 27 November 1884, Page 3

Alford. Forest.

: ♦ — ' [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. J Nor. 25. Generally speaking the weather has been most favourable for the growing crops, which look strong and healthy. It has been said somewhat slightingly by those residents in other superior localities that thi3 district was useless for agricultural purposes. About 100 acres laid down last year in English grass and clover on the Single Tree Estate, by Messrs Watson and Co., proves the opinion to be erroneous, the feed being remarkably rich and luxuriant, reaching up to the bellies of tho sheep there depastured, and this follows a crop of oats as good as need be wished. So much for the region of " Birch, Beer and Boulders." The fact is, a slight sprinkling of surface stones covers land which only requires fair working to repay handsomely any outlay of capital and labour; and within two years souie thousands of additional acres have responded to the magic of the plough. Where not so long since a few merinos eked out a precarious existence by nibbling the coarse brown tussock, thousands of cross-bred sheep are liviug and thriving literally in clover, paying a : handsome profit to the enterprising owmrs. Few things have had more to do with this vast change for the better than the disc harrow, the employment of which has become almost universal. Shearing is aetnahy proceeding, only a few showers interfering with the work. Snow lies somewhat thickly on the back ranges, but tho front range is pretty clear. Promises of support for the sports this year are numerous, and if economical arrangements are made, no doubt a pit asant meeting will take place. Several gentlemen are taking proper steps to ensure a good programme, which will include athletic sports in addition to racing. Six Alford Forest candidates for confirmation, prepared by the Rev F. Garbett, attended Tinwald on Nov. 16, these and others from different localities putting the rev g(n!loaiii:j's lmspit.-ility to a severe test; but every necessary preparation had been made for their arrival on the previous day, and they returned full of gratitude for the kindly reception they had met with. This is tho first batch from this neighbourhood — a first fruits of no mean importance, showing what an earnest labourer in the Master's vineyard can do by devoted attention. The Bushman's Pride Lodge of 1.0. G.T. holds its fourth anniversary on Friday evening next, the cause having lost none of its original strength or interest. A good J musical programme is arranged, after ' which the usual and irresistible wind vp — j a ball. " I