Marshlands, which lies about five miles to the north of Christchurch, is a very rich and closely settled district. There are various soils, but the peaty one predominates. Onions are grown in abundance on areas of from five to thirty acres. Although the soil is rich, it requires a great deal of working to bring it into proper order. In some places it costs as much as £20 an acre for grubbing out the buried timber, and clearing and draining the land. So soft and spongy is the soil in places that the feet of the horses have to be padded to prevent them from sinking. There is a post office, a public school, with an average attendance of 108, and an Anglican church and a Methodist church in the settlement. The Styx railway station is situated about two miles from the school, which is in the centre of the district. The main roads are good, and are much frequented by driving parties and by bicyclists from Christchurch.