Had only a Few Shillings left after Paying the First Year’s Rent.
Quite a number of the new settlers in the Woodend and Bushley Scrubs, in the Rockhampton district (Central Queensland), started in a small way, and are now in very comfortable circumstances. The Lehfeldt Brothers were formerly employed as labourers at the Mount Morgan Mine. In 1895 they selected 160 acres, and after paying the first year’s rent (£5 15s.) had only a few shillings left. When they had finished fencing the land and clearing portion of it, they arranged to supply the Mount Morgan Mine with firewood. By this means they made sufficient money to acquire a further 160 acres for £100 cash, and effect more substantial improvements on their holdings. Farming was begun in real earnest in 1906, and since then success has attended their efforts. Last year the Messrs. Lehfeldt took up another block of 160 acres at a rental of 20s. per acre. They have 328 acres under cultivation—20 acres lucerne, 90 acres maize, 170 acres Rhodes grass, 40 acres paspalum, 5 acres panicum, 3 acres English potatoes. Last year (1913) they averaged 110 bushels of maize to the acre from a 10-acre plot, and annexed the championship for Central Queensland. Patches of sugarcane and cotton are also grown. The dairy herd comprises 20 grade Ayrshires and a pure-bred Ayrshire bull. It is their intention to increase their operations in dairying at an early date. Pigs are being profitably raised, likewise light draught and saddle horses. The Messrs. Lehfeldt have one of the best conducted farms in the State.
Mining Engineer—Now a Successful Fruit-grower, &c.
Mr. J. T. Coates, of Harveston, Rockhampton (Central Queensland), was formerly a mining engineer before he took up 327 acres on the bank of the Fitzroy River. He has 10 acres under fruits—1,100 papaws, 150 citrus (including oranges, limes, lemons, cumquots), 500 grape vines, 50 custard apples, 20 mangoes, also figs, bananas, apples, pears, peaches, quinces, persimmons, pineapples, granadillas, &c. There are also 30 acres under lucerne, 11 acres of Japanese millet, and 5 acres of sweet potatoes. White Leghorns and Black Orpingtons of pure strains are largely raised, the former by the thousands. Mr. Coates also pays much attention to dairying, and his herd of grade Shorthorns give good returns monthly. Although his fruit trees only started to bear last year his returns in this direction amounted to £150. From poultry and eggs he received £150, dairying £101, chaff £180, and miscellaneous £35. The total receipts from all sources were £616. Last year Mr. Coates paid away over £400 in wages.