A TRIP THROUGH THE LOWER PENINSULA.

Saturday 25 October 1884, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888) Trove

Although Yorke's Peninsula cannot boast of scenery calculated to inspire one with poetry, still there is at the present-time of the year real enjoyment to be gained by a visit to the several towns that hare sprung up during the past eight or nine years. In the first place the roads are equal to those in any part of the colony, thanks to the efforts of the local Road Board, and besides this the country generally looks well. We left Moonnta on Monday last, via Arthurton and Ardrossan. There was one thing noticeable, from an agricultural point of view, large quantity of the land that was under crop last year has been allowed to remain for pasture. This was also observable along the whole route from Moonta to Editbburgh. There were doubtless two strong reasons for this. In the first place the land near to the main lines of road is generally that which is first selected, and as a consequeuce owing to the time it has been cultivated it has in addition to exhausting the soil, resulted in a plentiful supply of wild oats and other rubbish which necessitates feeding down or fallowing and in many cases both, in order to somewhat restore it. In the second place, the introduction of the stump-jumper has enabled the farmer to go back in the scrub and cultivate land that could not be profitably dealt with under the former order of things. And the numerous advantages accruing can be fairly realised by anyone who takes the trouble now to go through and witness the improved condition of the crops growing on the scrub land is compared with the best of those that have been produced on tbe bare, bleak plains that were first put under the plough. It is really astonishing to see the advancement that bas been made with the stnmp-jumping implements, no matter whether you visit the large establishment in the central towns where a large number of hands are employed, or tbe unpretentious smithy in the scrub, all are employed at stump-jumpers of one kind or another. One sees stump-jumping ploughs, double, treble, and four furrow; scarifiers of all sizes, and harrows the same; and in nearly every instance the maker can point out some particular feature which recommends his article before that of his feilow tradesman. But although it is only some half-dozen years since tbe stump-jumper became thoroughly known, so rapid has been the improvements that it seems scarcely possible that much more can be achieved in that timee. At

ARTHURTON.

There was nothing in the way of improvements to strike the eye, with the exception of the new roads that have been completed through the town ___ a thing that was much needed, especially in winter. Host Scott still flourishes as the central figure, and maintains the character of the all round man of the place. The country around looks exceedingly well___some of the crops being the best we met with during our trip. Coming to

ARDROSSAN

There are unmistakeable signs of activity, the chief feature being Mr C. H. Smith's large agricultural implement factory, in connection with which there is a peculiar interest, as Mr Smith, although his brother claimed the credit for being the inventor of the stump-jumper, was the first one to turn out the implement. He still flourishes as a leading manufacturer, and there is every prospect of his continuing to do so. The inhabitants, with the enterprise that characterises the residents of all the towns, have just completed a large Institute Hall. It is about a year since the undertaking was started, and we learn that the opening ceremony takes place on Wednesday next. Mr Palmer, formerly of Yorketown, is now in posession of the local mill, while the storekeepers generally appear to be busy. Altogether Ardrossan has nothing to complain of. After refreshing ourselves at Mr Kite's well kept hotel we started for

MAITLAND

Which we reached in time for tea. This town has manifested heaps of enterprise, and doubtless has accomplished more than any other town in the colony, in proportion to the number of its inhabitants. The Institute, which cost between two and three thousand pounds, is now nearly out of debt, In this matter the small towns certainly hare shown the larger ones the road, but unfortunately in some cases the lesson has been unheeded. The Maitland hotel has also had the large additions completed since our last visit, and now does much to improve the appearance of that portion of the town. All the local tradesmen, whether manufactures or storekeepers, appear to be busy, and although there is a good deal of "waiting till after harvest" still the majority of farmers and others appear to be on a pretty sound footing. The Corporation has done a lot of work, especially in the matter of improving the footpaths. On Tuesday morning we started for the tower end of the Peninsula, and the morning being fine Yorke Valley presented a grand appearance, with the far stretching wheat fields, and large blocks of pasture dotted over with sleek cattle and horses. Some miles to the southward we arrived at

URANIA,

Where there is at present only a school, and a blacksmith's shop. The former is under the able management of Mr Fox, and we were informed that the school, which is an excellent stone building, was erected by the inhabitants, the land being a gift from Mr Greenelade. The black smithing establishment belongs to Mr Carlaw, whose dialect denotes at once that he hails from north of the Tweed. We were Informed also that a general store is about to be erected; and that after that a post office is to be established. From this to

MOUNT RAT

The crops along the road do not look nearly so well as those of a year ago ; but we were informed that those back in the scrub were an improvement on the ones we saw. Mr Humberstone's hotel is the only building of importance, and this has lately undergone a thorough overhaul, and is now one of the most comfortable and commodious country hotels that can be met with. At

MINLATON

The new post and telegraph office and police station have very much improved the appearance of the place from an architectural point of view. And there are some new buildings in the shape of another butcher's shop and a baking establishment in the course of erection. The tradespeople generally appear to be busily engaged. From this on towards Yorketown the roads have been greatly improved, Several miles off new work hare been completed, and there is only a small patch remaining now to complete the metalling between Minlaton and Yorketown.

YORKETOWN

Still maintains its name for being one of the busiest towns on tbe Peninsula; and this year the crops in the surrounding district look much better than was the case last year. And so far as pasture is concerned we have never seen anything in the colony to surpass it. We next visited

EDITHBURGH

Where those who cater for pleasure seekers are just beginning to prepare for the coming summer.- Already Sultana House has a number, whilst every steamer brings others to the town. There is onlyone thing that the place needs to make it a thorough success, and that is an antidote for sea sickness. If this was once obtained, there is little doubt many who go to the Mount Lofty ranges, would take advantage of the excellent accommodation of every description which the place affords to visitors. After partaking of good cheer with Host Rook, who is well known to all old Peninsulaites, we from there proceeded to

STANSBURY,

Where things, including the jetty, were discovered to be in much the same condition as on the occasion of our former visit. During the interval, however, a very nice little Institute has been crected. and will shortly be opened. From this to Port Vincent the road is fearfully rough; and as the country generally bears a strong resemblance to the road, there is no great probability of an improvement. After a short stay at the port we started for

CURRAMULKA,

One of the most pleasantly situated towns on the Peninsula. As in the parts further down, there is a superabundance of feed everywhere, and the wheat crops also look tolerably well. We were pleased to recognise the face of an old Wallaroo resident, Mr S. Smedley, who has a general store in the town. Messrs Tucker, the largest blackbmithing establishment, are busily engaged in the work of turning out stump-jumpers, and the other business members of the community appear to be in a fair way of doing. The residents have been somewhat unfortunate in the matter of erecting a new Institute. The walls of the building were up, and part of the framework was erected when the archway over the platform collapsed. In a short time afterwards the contractor followed the example set by the arch, and some six months have elapsed without any steps being taken to repair the break and proceed with the work of completion. We were pleased to hear, however, that a meeting has been held and a course of action decided upon, which will lead to carrying out of the work at an early date. There is another thing also that the people want,-vis, a telegraph office. The distance from the main line is only something like eight miles, so that the cost would not be great, and it must be owned that much less prosperous towns have now the advantages which are denied Curramulka. However, the Government have dedicated a piece of land for the purpose, and there is no doubt that if the residents keep the matter stirring their wants in this respect will be attended to.

After a return to Maitland we cut across the country, through Tiparra, to Arthurton were we met with tome of the best crops seen during the whole journey. This land is mullenised, but the work has been done well, and to those who are unacquainted with the system the fields present all tbe appearance of having been well grubbed. Taken as a wbole we think we can say without doubt that the crops on Yorke's Peninsula will give a better return this year than they did last.