62 Total number of Horses.
900 Fat Wethers.
AMOUNT OF STOCK VENTURES.
Now, striking a low average, the value in pounds of this herd of cattle, horses, and sheep, in South Australia, was:
Horned Stock 8,550.
Horses 3,720.
Wethers 1,575.
Total: 13,845 pounds.
But between this and an ordinary mercantile risk no parallel can be drawn. A merchant insures his cargo so that his total loss can but be a small portion of the whole. The Overlander cannot do this with his stock and runs a far greater proportionate risk. It must also be borne in mind that the statement of the herd, which I have above given, does not include all that started for South Australia, but only the survivors, who, after traversing so many hundred miles, reached in safety the destined mart.
INFLUX OF STOCK TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
When the Overlanders drive sheep alone, without horned stock or horses, the number of heads is much increased, as from 8000 to 12,000 sheep are brought over at one time. They are driven in separate flocks of about 1000 each, and these follow one another in regular succession. The value of a flock of 6000 sheep cannot be estimated under 10,500 pounds.
RAPID INCREASE OF WEALTH IN NEW SETTLEMENTS.