THROUGH THE DISTRICT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11637, 15 August 1905, Page 2

THROUGH THE DISTRICT.

By " Rambler. 11

Continuing my last week's notes on the Brunswick, etc. : After Mr A. Wright's we next come to Mr Downs, Mrs Crawley, Mr C. Turner, Corlett and Barrett, and A. Hunter, these being all on the road leading to the old Brunswick Station. Mr Downs and Mrs Crawley have both very nice litle farms, the soil being really first-class. Mr Downs has a very nice herd of cows, the milk from which is taken to the Brunswick creamery. Mrs Jamee Crctivley is -tv-ell known throughout the district as the owner and br-eder of some of tho beat Jersey cows in the district. Mrs Cuawley is a constant and successful exhibitor at our Show in this particular class of stock. The farm is well suited for dairying, the soil being adapted for the growing of any sort of crop required for the business. There is a nice comfortable dwelling on the place, as well as the necessary milking sheds.

Mr Charles Turner follows with, a comfortable little farm and homestead, and uses this place as the home, from which he works a much larger place in th« Weßt Tokomaru. Mr Turner is a firm believer in keeping the plough going wherever possible, whereby he keeps his farm renewed. The soil here, too, is really good. Mr Turner has only been on this place a short time, comparatively, having bought it from Mr Peako about three years ago. Previously, he leased and farmed for a number of yeara a place near the Wangaehu, on the No. 1 Line. With the exception of a little cropping on this farm, stock (chiefly sheep) farming is what Mr Turner and his sons engage in. Messrs Corlett and Barrett, who occupy the other part of what was Mr Peake's farm, are next. This is also a good general purpose piece of land. I notice, also, that here, too, the plough is at wocrk, and from appearances the land in this part of the district is very much easier and better to work than that in the greater part of the Wanganui County, and as a consequence grass, etc., come 3 away quicker. The land from here downwards becomes a bit more broken than the previous places; still, when cleared and grassed, makes good pastoral country. This farm is suitable for milking, and has some small clumps of bush on it. which afford good shelter during rough weather. There are the usual farm buildings, consisting of good dwelling-house, stable, etc. Mr A. Hunter comes next with what has been known for a great ma-uy years as Brunswick Station, and was first taken up by the late John Hurley and George Cunnabeii, who for some years carried on the business of farming. Generally spaaking, this is rather a broken piece of country, and more suited for riastoral than agricultural farming. It is good sheep country, and cattle are kept as well ; in fact, Mr Hunter milks a fairly good herd of cows, and supplies at the Brunswick creamery. • There is some good flat land about the homestead, which in past years has turned off good crops. The dwelling is a fine two-storied building, and there are other necessary buildings on the place. The orchard on this place, some 30 or 35 years ago, was considered as one of the best in the district, and many is the good supply of cherries, peaches, apples, etc., I have had out of it, b\it now, on account of insect pests and small birds, etc., this is all gone, and only a few trees remain to remind one of the paßt. I ainderstand Mr Hunter has disposed of this and his farm on No. 1 Line, and has procured another large place in the Olvura district. All being well, Mr Hunter takes possession of his new place about the New Year. I wish Mr Hunter every success in his new place. The roads to here are in very good order and condition, and with very few exceptions indeed the road fences are kept in good order, scarcely any gorse, etc., being allowed to grow out towards the road. The 'only place I noticed, on this (Brunswick Line) was on the top of the hill above Bennett's farm, and this was not to any great extent. I must give the settlers credit for the attention they give their road-side fences. Whilst travelling about the districts I have noticed pigs being allowed to wander on' the road, and root in the fern, etc. This is a practice which our local bodies should set about earnestly to put a stop ,to. My experience shows me that of all ! things which startles a horse most a pig 1 bears the palm, and when, as it often happens, they are found rooting amongst the fern, and very often at a dangerous part of the road, too, the marvel is thereare not more accidents than there are. , I notice that last Wednesday the Waitotara County Counil, through one of its employees, was sued by a native, for damages sustained, through some pigs which were trespassing, etc., on the road being jtilled, and I am very sorry to read that th# Council were fined in damages to the exksilt of £3 and costs. It seems strange to me' that where a neighbour's pigs may trespass on another's, the owner of the land trespassed upon, may kill those pig 3 and notify the owner to come and remove their bodies, " failing which the one who killed it must bury it, and as I read the .statute the owner of the one killed has no action, and still, as stated above, a local, body seems to be in a different position. I

am sure every traveller will sympathise with the Waitotara County Council over this matter. I would just like to askfl here, in the event of an accident happening, .caused by pigs being on the road and frightening a horse which may overturn a vehicle, etc., who would be liable for the damage? I should mention that all the stock (sheep and' cattle) - I saw on the above places appear to be in. healthy condition, having wintered so far very well. Now that we are into longer days I believe the worst of it is over, and the mortality amongst our young stock will not be great. Of co'urße *we must all admit we 'have had a very fine winter compared to some in the past.