Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Benefield, W. T.

page 1353

Benefield, W. T., Nurseryman, Aramoho Nursery, Aramoho. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This large nursery was established in 1877 by the enterprising proprietor. The nursery occupies twenty acres of land, which is freehold, and when taken in hand by Mr. Benefield was in a very rough condition, Thirteen-and-three-quarter acres are in nursery and orchard, the balance being in paddocks. A comfortable dwellinghouse of six rooms, besides. bathroom and scullery, together with a two-stalled stable, with harness and buggy-house, and large loft over the whole, has been erected on the property. There is a small glass-house, having about 200 square feet of glass, and a new one of not less than 1600 square feet is to be put up during 1895. A beautiful stream of water winds through the property. The permanent orchard trees number 1400, which are in splendid bearing, including Japanese plums and persimmons. The writer was struck with the immense quantity of fruit under which the trees appeared to be groaning. The crop of apples is estimated at forty tons for the season. The nursery stock numbers from 100,000 to 150,000 trees, including every known variety. In camelias Mr. Benefield claims to have a larger stock than any other nursery in the Colony. About a quarter-of-an-acre is devoted to roses, which are a specialty. Mr. Benefield has a farm at Fordell of 250 acres, where he has a manager in charge, one of his sons being employed on the property He has planted ten acres of this in orchard. Mr. Benefield was born in Kent, and came to New Zealand per ship “Waikato” in 1873, arriving in Wellington. He at once settled in Wanganui, and by diligence and hard work has shown what can be done in the Colony. He. Benefield was chairman of the Waitotara licensing bench for three years, and is a member of the Aramoho school committee, on which he has occupied a seat for many years. He has been a member of the Oddfellows' Order for twenty-four years, having passed through all the chairs, and in 1885 was Provincial Grand Master of the Order.