OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XXIV, 15 December 1900, Page 1129

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE WINE INDUSTRY IN THE NORTH. “The vines will make the North.” .This is the verdict of the. shrewdest judges and most practical men in the beautiful Kaipara district, and it is one in which one is bound to concur if one pays a visit to the Otamatea River, one of the most lovely of the many arms and inlets of the vast Kaipara Harbour. Everywhere, but especially round Whakapirau, Pahi, Maungataroto, the settlers are putting in vines, encouraged by the signal success of those who have already done so. For this state of things, and for the increasing prosperity which must soon follow Mr. Walter Heathcote Jackman is practically alone responsible. It is now- many years since the writer first met Mr. Jackman at his pretty home at Whakapirau. but he was then, and has since without ceasing preach the gospel of viticulture and practised what he preached. Discouragements only seemed to whet- his enthusiasm, and be persevered, and possessed his soul in patience when things went wrong, to such good purpose that he is now the largest and most successful vine-grower up North, and is making himself a name for his wines of which any vineyard in the colony might be proud. He is now adding rapidly to his plant, and will soon be able to buy at prices Satisfactory alike to himself and the neighbouring growers all the grapes the district can produce. The output of pure good wine from the Kaipara will soon therefore reach respectable proportions, and as its excellence becomes known, a demand will set. iu

which will still further increase the production. Mr Jackman may, therefore, be given some considerable kudos for starting the North on a new ami sure road towards a solid and ever-increasing prosperity. Other enthusiastic growers in the district are Mr H. .McMurdo, and genial Dr. Montaigne. of Maungaturoto. Both red and white wines are made by Mr Jackman. The red wine is a true claret, clean on the palate, and with a fine Itouquet. With age it should make a truly fine wine. The white wine will, the writer ventures to think, be even more successful, and should really mnke a name for itsself, (or the "‘Heathcote” vineyards, and for Mr Jackman. It is a perfectly distinct wine, but reminds one of a Chablis or Sauteroe. It has, however, a finer flavour than either of these, and only wants age to make It one of the most delicate and delicious dinner wines grown in any part of the globe. It has even when “young” none of the roughness common to colonial wine. It is proposed to run the manufacture of wine on the creamery basis. This is the only satisfactory way, and it is hoped it will be adhered to. Half a dozen small growers making varying qualities of wine can only mean disappointment and failure. .'-v4.1. ;

ST. MARY’S CONVENT, AVCKLAND. Our photograph of the pupils of St. Mary’s Convent was taken in connection" with a very successful fancy fair held in connection with the institution, last week. The. occasion was the celebration of tiie jubilee of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland. The fair was opened by Bishop Lenihan, who referred to the value of the educational work done by the Sisters during the past fifty years. There was a large attendance of the publ’c during the .days the fair was open, and the work stalls were welt patronised. A cantata “Violet in Fairyland,” was performed by the . children on. one evening", and prizes were presented to the pupils by His Lordship the Bishop.

THE AUCKLAND CAMP. The Auckland Naval Artillery, which, by the way. is the oldest corps of its kind in the colony, completed a successful camp of instruction at Devouport last Saturday. They were sixteen days under canvas, and devoted the greater portion of the time to big gun drill at Fort Takapuna and the norlh and south batteries. During the encampment the company held two competitive practices at the forts. These practices are being held by every naval and garrison corps in New Zealand, for prizes presented by the Government, and first, second or third class certificates, according to the figure of merit obtained. The Auckland Navals qualified as a thirdclass battery. They were unlucky in having an accident with one. of the guns during the firing, the gun recoiling with such force at the third shot, as to semi the rammer and sponge aud all the loose tools in all directions, thus losing much valuable time. The crews of the second gun did some smart work at both practices, firing nine shots in ten minutes on the first day. and ten shots in the same period of time on the second day. the latter being a record for rapidity of fire from six-inch guns. Lieutenant-Com-mander Clemens was in charge of the camp, assisted by Lieutenants Salmon, Baxcndall and Endean. We understand that Messrs W. and A. Gilbey, Limited, the well-known wine merchants ami distillers, of the Pantheon, London, who have large interests in the Australian colonies, have received letters of appointment as purveyors of wines and spirits to Her Majesty the. Queen and wine merchants and distillers to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. Messrs Gilbey, who are proprietors of the. Chateau Loudenuo Vineyard in the Medoo district, were, recently awarded a gold medal at the Paris Exhibition for claret produced on the above estate, this being the only instance in which an English firm has gained such a distinction in the French section.

rrulE GREAT CANADIAN SEAWEED CURE for Rheumatism and Gout la not a quack medicine, but a scientitlo compound of natural vegetable principles existing In seaweed. It was first used in Montreal. Now the success of the treatment is fully demonstrated, and the sale of the remedy is rapidly increasing. Relief ean be assured in every case, and In many instances a prompt and permanent cure is quickly effected. All who suffer from Rheumatism should at once procure a bottle. Sold by Chemists. Obtainable from Graves Aickin and J. A. Haslett, and Chemists everywhere,'