On The Land Pursuits
(By W. Wilson.)
Orcharding, dairying and mixing farming are mostly followed. Lilydale has been famous for quite a number of years for the quality and quantity of the fruit produced in the district. Between three and four miles away on the way to Launceston by rail are the well-known Lalla nurseries and orchard, which are owned by Mr Frank Walker of Launceston. A successful fruitgrower from the Huon, and who thought that down south was the only place where fruit could be grown, visited Lalla some time ago, and was very much surprised at the growth of the trees, and the way in which the orchard and nursery were managed. He informed the writer that it was one of the finest orchard properties he had seen.
The Lilydale show has always been considered one of the best fruit shows in the State, and the post show was the silver jubilee of the society., Formerly the show was held in a large building close to the railway station, and the sports were held on private property adjoining it. About four years ago the committee decided on a forward movement, and erected a very fine building on the Recreation Ground, which is about a mile from the station. The present structure is believed to be one of the finest country buildings in the state. It has a very fine floor, and it is sometimes used for dancing and bazaars. Before the last show the building was painted, and a good deal of the work was carried out by a working bee. The cost for paint alone amounted to £23.
A large cool storage and apple packing shed has recently been erected close to the railway station, and has a branch line running alongslde the shed, so that apples can be loaded straight into the trucks, and also apples from growers along the line can be unloaded into the shed. First an American system of cool air treatment was installed for keepiing the fruit, but it was not a success, and a refridgerating plant was purchased and installed at the beginning of the present fruit season.
A sawmill was erected close to the shed for cutting apple cases and other timber. The cost of erecting the whole plant was between £9,000 and £10,000 , which will give readers some idea of the magnitude of the undertaking. Fruit is received from Turner's Marsh on one side to Scottsdale on the other.
Another large enterprise carried on close to the railway station is the planing mill owned by Mr J. B. White. Mr White has his own sawmills in the bush, some miles from Lilydale and seasons all his timber, and then planes it before selling it. The bulk of it is exported to Victoria, and during the past few years Mr. White has worked up a large and profitable business.
The Municipal Council have taken some of the preliminary steps towards supply ing the township with water. The water will be obtained from the Rocky Creek, which rises well on towards the summit of Mount Arthur. A Bill is being presented to Parliament this session to authorise the loan of £3000 to carry out the scheme, and it is to be hoped that the construction of the necessary works will commence at an early date.
There are many fine beauty spots and picnic resorts within easy reach of the town, the best known perhaps being the Lilydale Falls. Unfortunately the track to the falls is getting very much overgrown with blackberries. A live improvement Association is badly needed in this district, and if one was formed the members would find plenty of scope for their energies.
LILYDALE AND DISTRICT (1921, September 16). Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), p. 3. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153275431