The busy 1904 harvest in Marlborough

The railway groans and the port hums as produce is shipped out of Marlborough this week 120 years ago, as we take a flick through the archives. From the Marlborough Express, March 29, 1904:

Good work has been done by the local railway authorities in coping with an exceptional strain put upon the facilities of the line within the last few days.

Some eight thousand sacks of produce, consisting of chaff and grain, has had to be dealt with in one day for the loading of the Rotokino, which left Lyttelton for Picton yesterday.

The large steamer Ayrshire arrived at Picton yesterday to load frozen meat, wool and general produce for direct shipment, and anchored out in the stream over against the Picton Freezing Works.

The vessel, which belongs to the well known Shire line, and is of 10,500 tons, is the largest that has yet been seen in Picton waters.

It was proposed to bring her up to the wharf, but, after some communication had passed between the local authorities and the New Zealand agents of the steamer, it was decided not to take the risk of coming alongside the limited accommodation; and the steamer will be loaded in the stream.

The length of the Ayrshire is 475 feet, and her depth aft yesterday was something over 23 feet.

It was stated yesterday by a deputationist to Hon. C. II. Mills that 3000 tons of dressed flax was sent out of this district every year.

ALSO IN THE NEWSPAPER:

At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr T. Scott-Smith, S.M., a man named Hubbard, who recently arrived from Wellington, was convicted of using obscene language in Wynen Street, and fined £5 and costs, or one month’s imprisonment. Accused elected to go to gaol. A first offender was convicted of drunkenness and discharged.

Wesley Church Anniversary: The annual tea is announced to take place on Good Friday evening, and the sermons will be preached on Easter Sunday by the Rev. G. W. Spence. In connection with the tea a public meeting will be held in the church, when the report will be read, a few short addresses delivered, and an excellent programme of music rendered. This annual festival in connection with Wesley Church has always been characterised by great heartiness. No doubt the forthcoming reunion and services will prove quite equal in this respect to former anniversaries.

Bags of chaff are unloaded from horse-drawn wagons at the Blenheim Railway Station goods yard, in the early 1900s.