“A man could easily make a good start here with about £150. That money would be used for paying the first instalment on his land purchase, buying a few cows, and putting up his house. Of course, a pioneer doesn’t spend much on his house at first, until he has made some money.
“I began with £100 about fifteen years ago. I have paid for my land some time since, and I reckon that at the present time I am worth about £2,000 in land and stock.”
Mr. Edminstone milks, as a rule, 90 cows during the year, and each of these earn, on an average, 20s. per month. The highest return from one cow was 27s. per month. The cows are fed on the natural grasses only. In January last 105 grade Ayrshires, Shorthorns, and Jerseys earned £121; February—115 cows, £111; March—105 cows, £101; April—100 cows, £104; May—90 cows, £66; June—75 cows, £55; July—60 cows, £58. Mr. Edminstone has, according to his books, been receiving similar satisfactory returns from his milking herd for many years past. Pig raising and general farming also claims a great deal of his attention, and the annual returns from these sources are highly satisfactory.
New Settlers’ Experiences.
Mr. C. W. L. Bryde, who has taken up a selection in the parish of Dambulla, near Lake Barrine, Atherton, North Queensland, about two years ago, is satisfied that his new home has been pitched in “the garden of Australia.” He was born in Liverpool, England, and, adopting the sea as a profession, reached the position of chief mate. Several severe trips between Newcastle and Valparaiso with coal for the Chilian Government cooled off his ardour for the sea, and, faced with nervous breakdown, he was attracted to North Queensland. He took up his selection, and threw himself with enthusiasm into his new employment. Mr. Bryde says that the soil is extraordinarily rich, and it is quite clear that the district has a great future. Permanent creeks abound everywhere, and on his holding there are seven streams carrying crystal water. Chokos, pumpkins, and piemelons, the seeds of which were dropped, grew wild, and the scrubs contain scores of passion-fruit vines. At present the timber does not pay to market, though it is only eight miles from Kulara, on the Tolga-Johnstone line; but if the railway from this point to Mobo, via Lake Barrine, were constructed, cedar patches and other timbers, such as red and white beech, kauri, and silky oak, would be made available. Mr. Bryde has seen the Richmond River, and he considers that the land in his neighbourhood is superior. But he states that it is of no use for any one to go in for land there unless he is willing to rough it.
A Victorian (Mr. Herbert C. West), who settled at Eurobin Park, Jandowae, in the Dalby district (Southern Queensland), about two years ago, is also satisfied with his experiences in Queensland. Writing to the Department of Lands, he said:—“We have just had a delightful rainfall, and my lucerne, maize, and other green crops are looking well. This is a splendid district, and I am more than satisfied with my adopted country.”
Had a Stout Heart, Strong Pair of Hands, and Plenty of Pluck and Determination.
Mr. J. McLellan, of Miriam Vale, in the Gladstone district (Central Queensland), stated that he started as an agriculturist sixteen years ago with a stout heart, a strong pair of hands, plenty of pluck and determination, and 6s. per day while he was working on the railway line. His frugality enabled him to save money out of his wages to buy a couple of head of cattle at a time. In his spare moments he cleared his land, and got it ready for its first crop. After a little time he devoted the whole of his exertions to his farm, with the result that he soon became independent of outside employment. That he has become a successful man is abundantly proved by the fact that he is now enjoying a trip to Scotland. As a dairyman and general farmer, Mr. McLellan can hold his own with any one in the State.
Successful Efforts from Small Beginnings.
In the Barmoya Scrub, Rockhampton district (Central Queensland), a good percentage of the recent settlers had very small beginnings, but now they are fairly well off. Mr. J. Kersey (a carpenter) had a horse and cart and £7; Mr. A. T. Vaisey (formerly an employee in a New Zealand flax mill) had £75; Mr. F. W. A. Broszat (a bricklayer), £250; Mr. Reuben Johnson (a shift boss on Mount Morgan Mine), £100. All are well satisfied with their lot. The German settlers, of whom there are a large number, frankly admit that they are contented, and say that one and all have splendid opportunities to become prosperous, but they must be prepared to work hard to attain this object.