On Monday last a representative of the Southern Times by arrangement met Mr W. E. Ash, the very capable manager of the Harvey Estate, with the view of visiting some of the settlements which have taken place on the estate of late. The impression which was conveyed by the trip confirmed the statements which have been made as to the adaptability of the more fertile portions of the South West to close settlement. The average area was not much above 60 acres and yet on this small area which a short time ago would have been deemed insufficient to support life, smiling farms have been built up and happy homes sustained. There can be no doubt that the cutting up of this estate will have the effect before many years have elapsed of causing an important agricultural district to spring up.
Mr William Edward Ash, manager of the Harvey Estate and his wife, Julie.[1]
The first farm which was visited was Messrs Newell and Christison. This firm has in all about 300 acres of land composed of various soils of different qualities. They appear to be practical men and are setting about the improvement of their property on solid lines. They have been engaged for nearly two years in the development of their farm and have done the entire work themselves. The result of their labour is that they have now about 20 acres cleared, eight acres are planted with peaches and apricots and the young trees show a splendid growth. Mr Newell, who spent five years on the irrigation farms of Mildura, favourably contrasts the land of the Harvey to that celebrated district. He says that the land is immeasureably superior, while its advantages in the matter of rainfall cannot be overestimated. They have also five acres of orange trees and this year five acres were put under potatoes while six more acres have been cleared ready for further development, three of which it is their intention to plant as soon as the season will permit with grapes for table use. As a tribute to the recognition which has been bestowed upon them for their practical work they have been entrusted with the management of several farms on the homestead.
After leaving this pleasant spot indicative of so much possibility in the future, the railway line was crossed and a patch entered which 30 years ago was under cultivation, but which now unfortunately is an ocular demonstration of the manner in which nature re-asserts herself if relieved from the trammels of cultivation. What 30 years ago was cultivated land is now overrun with sturdy saplings. After fording the river, Mr Ash’s block was reached. This is 37½ acres in extent, 11½ of which are under fruit trees. About 4½ acres of these have been planted for one year and the rest have been planted during the present year. The trees show good growth testifying to the good quality of the soil.
The next block visited was that of Mr T. H. Brown, who is the latest arrival on the Korijekup Area. He has about 7¾ acres altogether, about 4½ acres of which are under cultivation, being planted with potatoes from which a good crop is expected. He is also establishing business as a black smith at the Harvey and has erected a blacksmith’s shop upon a town block opposite the Railway Station.
The next farm which came under inspection was that of Mr Lowe, who has 18 acres, of which 14 are under cultivation, he is just harvesting a good crop of hay. He has also about 100 fruit trees and a small crop of potatoes.
Mr Rath has about 40 acres of land, 10 of which are under crop this year and a good yield of hay is expected. He has about 5 acres under fruit trees, mostly oranges and lemons.
Mr J. Knowles has a similar acreage to the former farm and this year has 15 acres under crop, from which excellent results are expected. He has between three and four acres of potatoes, which look remarkably well.
‘Meriden’, 1898 (corner of Uduc Road and South West Highway), then owned by John Knowles who used it as a school, store, post office and for church services. Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
From this farm the party crossed back to the station going by several blocks which have been taken up. Mr Charmel [sic, Charman] has a cottage and about 3 acres planted with fruit trees and potatoes and Mr Legge has about an acre of fruit trees. The route passed by Mr Bernard Woodward’s block which is one of the choicest of the area, being situated on the Korijekup Avenue, which when opened up should materially improve the estate.
Left to Right: Violet, Elizabeth, Ernest, Roy and George Charman, Third Street. Harvey, c1898. Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
Passing through the township, Mr Taylor’s new store was noticed as an indication of the increasing attention which is being paid to this district. A visit was then paid to the Agricultural Area on the south side of the Udoc [sic, Uduc] Road past Mr P. Ryan’s farm, who has about 80 acres of land. He has only been a settler for about nine months, and already there is ample evidence of his enterprise. He has just cropped eight acres of hay and has four acres of potatoes still in. Seven acres are under fallow, and he was busy clearing at the time of the visit.
The next farm visited was that of Mr C. S. Palmer, who has 152 acres, about seven being under fruit trees and 15 acres under hay. He was unfortunately absent at the time, and therefore it was impossible to obtain many particulars about the farm.
The next farm visited was that of Mr Guppy, who has 163 acres, about 30 of which are under cultivation, 22 acres being cropped this year. He has been on the farm two years and has done a large amount of practical work.
The Guppy family of Herbert Road, Harvey. Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
Close at hand was Mr Burrow’s farm, about 164 acres in extent, of which 30 are under crop.
The settlers on the estate are for the most part of an exceedingly self-reliant disposition and this has been shown in regard to the school difficulty. Finding that the Government are not likely to meet the requirements in the matter of a school-teacher, it is highly probable that advantage will be taken of the new Agricultural Hall, if arrangements can be made with the committee, and the settlers will establish a school of their own. The attitude of the Government in thus straining the resources of new settlers is gravely open to question, but it would seem to be consistent with the somewhat neglectful attitude which has of late been adopted by the Education Department in reference to district schools.
As the evening was rapidly advancing and it was too dark to carry the trip of inspection further a return was made to the Harvey homestead, where the usual hospitality of Mr and Mrs Ash brought a pleasant and instructive tour to a close. (Southern Times, 22 December 1898, p. 3.)
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[1] Agriculturalist William Ash, his property ‘Ontario’ and surrounding properties in the Harvey district, BA174, State Library of Western Australia.