During a recent tour through Queensland the Compiler was enabled to obtain the practical experiences of a large number of new and old settlers on the fertile areas in this land of great possibilities and substantial realities. The cases cited here will serve to illustrate what the men on the land in the districts visited are doing to develop the agricultural resources of the country. Despite that the new settlers were faced with many difficulties at the outset, they, by indomitable pluck, determination, and perseverance, succeeded in conquering the dense scrubs and mountain fastnesses, and converting them into wealth-producing agricultural homesteads. Many of these settlers started with only a few pounds in their pocket, but they had what money cannot buy—stout hearts, courage, and energy. To-day quite a number of these have turned the corner of adversity into the highway of success, and are reaping the fruits of their labours.

A Successful Mixed Farmer.

In the Springsure district (Central Queensland) Mr. M. T. Bourke is one of the most successful dairymen and mixed farmers. His dairy herd consists of pure-bred Shorthorns and pedigreed bulls. On an average he milks 88 cows once daily during the year, and these are fed on natural pastures. Last year he obtained 19,094 gallons of milk, and 9,339 lb. of cream produced 2,649 lb. of commercial butter. In April, 1913, 1,039 lb. of cream sent to one of the Rockhampton factories returned over 576 lb. of commercial butter. His year’s transactions in pigs realised £91 12s.; turkeys, £27 3s.; fowls, £2 10s. 8d.; eggs (317 dozen), £16; fat bullocks, 400 at £7 per head; horses (artillery and draught), £626 10s. Several of the horses brought from £26 to £28 per head.

What the Daniels Family are Doing.

The Daniels family, which numbers no less than eight distinct branches, are also very successful mixed farmers in the Gindie district (Central Queensland). Their operations comprise wheat-growing, dairying, sheep-breeding, &c. In 1913 they had about 250 acres under wheat.

Mr. T. C. Daniels gives the following particulars in regard to the cultivation and harvesting of wheat:—“The first ploughing,” he says, “will cost 15s. per acre, but afterwards it will only be 5s. for the same area. Other expenditure includes: Seed wheat, about 8s. per acre; cultivating after first ploughing, 2s. 6d. per acre; harvesting with reaper and binder, 5s. per acre; carting and stooking, 5s. per acre; total expenditure, £1 5s. 6d. per acre. The cost of cutting a ton of chaff is about £1 5s., and bags are 8d. each. His crop averaged 30 cwt. to the acre, and he received £6 10s. per ton for his wheaten chaff on the rails at Gindie Station.”

Started with £100.

In the course of an interview, Mr. J. Edminstone, of Craigend Farm, Belmont Pocket, near Rockhampton (Central Queensland), gave some information which should be invaluable to intending settlers in Queensland. Mr. Edminstone is, at the present time, one of the most prosperous dairymen in the State.

“A labouring man,” Mr. Edminstone said, “could easily earn about £200 a year at farming in Queensland. I have made that myself. I had experience on a farm in the old country, but that is not absolutely necessary.

“I consider farming is the best thing for new settlers to turn their attention to in Queensland.

“I would recommend a man to take up dairy farming. Cows can be bought for about £4 to £7 each. Then you can buy good dairy land for about £1 per acre. You have long terms, about twenty years, to pay for your land, and the payments are not equal to a good rent in the old country. When a man has got his land he can grow plenty of feed for his cattle for the few months of the winter, when they have to be fed on account of the pastures being dry. During the rest of the year his cattle find their food in the natural grasses of his pastures.

“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.

Mr. R. Johnson is one of the most prosperous settlers in this district. He was one of the first to settle in the district about ten years ago, and he has had no reason to regret it. He milks on an average 42 cows of the grade Jersey strain daily, and each beast returns him about 15s. per month regularly. The herd includes a pure-bred Jersey bull and cow. There are 130 acres under Rhodes grass and 7 acres under maize and pumpkins. Mr. Johnson has done wonders in the short time that he has been in the district, and his efforts should prove a strong incentive to others to do likewise.

Started as a Farm Labourer.

In the Bushley district, near Rockhampton (Central Queensland), Mr. E. Holland has a splendid farm of about 3,000 acres on Sandy Creek. He states that he started farming with little or no money. Soon after his arrival from England he found employment as a farm labourer, and accepted cattle as payment for his work. A year or so later he took up a 160-acre block at a rental of 2s. 6d. per acre, and then started dairying. As years went by he acquired further areas, and increased his operations to such an extent that he is now one of the most successful settlers in Central Queensland. His dairy herd is made up of grade Shorthorns and a pedigreed Shorthorn bull, and totals 500. On an average 80 cows are milked once a day during the year. The young steers are fattened up and sold to the butchers when about twelve months old. Last year (1913) he sold thirty-six of these at £3 10s. per head. Horses (light draughts and saddle) are also bred. He also finds time for raising Berkshire and Yorkshire pigs. There are 35 acres under cultivation—4 acres lucerne and 31 acres rotation crops—wheat, oats, rye, panicum, &c. Mr. Holland is also a maker of Cheshire cheese of splendid flavour, but his operations in this respect are only on a small scale.

Had a Horse and Saddle and 3s. 6d.

Mr. J. T. Alexander, of Glenlyon Farm, Dalma, near Rockhampton (Central Queensland), arrived in Queensland from New South Wales in 1887, with a horse and saddle and 3s. 6d. in his pocket. At first he engaged in droving, then was a stockman on a station, and later manager of several cattle runs. Seven years ago he purchased 3,000 acres of the Glenlyon Estate, which consisted of open forest country. Then he turned his attention to the breeding of dairy and beef cattle and Border-Leicester sheep. He is getting £5 per head for 2-year-old steers, £3 for 12-month-old steers, and £4 15s. for 3-year-old heifers. The area under cultivation totals 14 acres—barley 4 acres, lucerne 2 acres, maize 2 acres, panicum 4 acres, sweet potatoes 2 acres. He has 150 head of beef cattle, and a small dairy herd of grade Jerseys.

Fruit-grower Starts with £5.

After paying for his freehold of 21 acres, Mr. A. Neale, of Parkhurst, North Rockhampton (Central Queensland), had only about £5 in cash, three horses, and a few agricultural implements. By dint of hard work he cleared his land of the forest, planted it with fruit trees, and in a couple of years he gathered his first crops. Later he erected his present home. To-day he is in a comfortable position, due entirely to fruit-growing. In all 5 acres are under fruits of different kinds. Citrus fruits, which number 300 trees, are most generally grown. Grapes, peaches, papaws, loquats, plums, and mangoes are also cultivated. In 1913 citrus fruits returned £250, grapes £130, and other crops, £30. He milks a few cows of the Shorthorn-Hereford cross for his own wants, and pigs are bred for a like purpose. Poultry and vegetables are annually raised for market. Mr. Neale is a strong advocate of dry farming.

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.

Inexperience no Obstacle to Success.

Among the new settlers in the Stanwell district (Central Queensland) are quite a number who started with limited capital, and no previous experience in farming. Mr. T. P. Connor was a miner, and had £500. Not only is he dairying, growing crops, and raising pigs, but he is also breeding beef cattle and horses with much success. Messrs. J. Thomas (stockman) and J. Todman (miner) started with £250, and are now doing well out of general farming, dairying, pig-raising, &c. Portion of the farm is irrigated, the water being lifted by a pump from Neerkol Creek, and conveyed in galvanised iron piping to the cultivation areas. They estimate the cost to irrigate an acre at 8s., exclusive of their own labour. Mr. W. H. Teakel (a Victorian farmer) started with £400, and says that he is doing better than he did in Victoria. Every year he is getting good crops of maize, lucerne, wheat, pumpkins, potatoes, &c. He has a small herd of grade Ayrshires, and a few pigs.

The Plunkett family have been farming for three years, and are getting splendid returns from their farming operations. They have a fairly large area under maize, lucerne, potatoes, &c., milk 15 grade Ayrshires daily, and breed horses and pigs for market. Mr. Plunkett paid £1,400 for the farm of 411 acres as a going concern for his sons.

Had no Previous Agricultural Experience.

Mr. W. J. Barber selected 640 acres of dense vine scrub and brigalow country a few miles from Banana (Central Queensland) in 1913 at 10s. per acre. He came from Young (New South Wales), with £190, and had no previous experience of agricultural life. About 46 acres of the scrub have been cleared and planted with Rhodes grass and maize, the latter being sown with the aid of a hand planter. From 30 to 40 acres more scrub are being cleared, and will be put under cultivation when it is ready. The first year’s outlay on the farm amounted to about £190.

Made a Start with £150.

Mr. Peter Jensen started in the Banana district (Central Queensland) with £150 by taking up 880 acres, a little over a year ago, at 10s. per acre. The country comprises brigalow scrub and open downs. He has cleared 50 acres, and put in Rhodes grass and maize. A further 50 acres is to be cleared, and planted with Rhodes grass and maize. Mr. Jensen’s first crop of maize of 34 acres yielded 900 bushels.

On the High Road to Success.

Mr. Charles Roderick is one of the pioneers of the agricultural industry in the Banana district, Central Queensland. He has 1,280 acres of land, for which he paid 10s. per acre. In addition to raising crops, Mr. Roderick is engaging in dairying and pig raising. Last year he obtained 840 bushels of maize from 33 acres. This year he has 27 acres under maize, and 33 acres of Rhodes grass. Mr. Roderick was previously a publican.

Landed in the District with £200.

Mr. C. G. Young selected 136 acres at Deeford, in the Dawson Valley country, Central Queensland, in 1912. Previously he was a commercial traveller in Sydney. When he landed in the district he had £200. After clearing the dense vine scrub from his farm, he planted 24 acres with maize, Rhodes grass, and pumpkins. The price paid for the Crown land was 50s. per acre. Mr. Young estimates his first year’s expenditure at slightly over £100. Dairying and pig-raising on a small scale is carried on. This young farmer stated he was well satisfied with his prospects.

Tasmanian takes up a Farm with £600.

Mr. E. Stevens, of Deeford, in the Dawson Valley (Central Queensland), came from Tasmania nearly two years ago, with £600. His farm consists of 174 acres, of which 65 acres have been cleared of the dense scrub, and planted with maize and Rhodes grass. He intends to give dairying some of his attention at an early date. The first year’s operations involved an expenditure of about £185.

Miner Starts Farming with £50.

Mr. C. F. Holton, who was a miner by occupation, took up 160 acres at Grantleigh, in the Gogango district (Central Queensland), seven years ago. At the time he had only £50 in his pocket. For a couple of years he undertook to cut timber for the Mount Morgan Mine, and also worked on the selections of several of his neighbours. By this means he made sufficient money to enable him to start farming on his own account. To-day he is making a profit of over £100 annually by growing lucerne, maize, potatoes, &c. Last year he obtained from 65 to 70 bushels to the acre from his crop of maize, and his lucerne yields from five to six cuttings annually. Berkshire and Yorkshire pigs are bred on a small scale. Among other crops grown are Rhodes grass, millets, barley, cowpea, pumpkins, and grapes. In partnership with Mr. H. Gates, he has acquired a prickly-pear selection of 640 acres on the opposite side of the line. The pear, which is very thick, is being eradicated by burning. It takes two men a day to clear two acres. About 150 acres of this property is to be planted with wheat, oats, English potatoes, and fruits of various kinds.

Queensland—The Finest Agricultural Country in Australia.

Mr. Robert Laver, a Victorian farmer, together with his nine sons, took up 13,000 acres under the group system in the Gogango Scrub (Central Queensland) five years ago. They have now 3,000 acres cleared, and 500 acres under cultivation, 400 acres being under Rhodes grass. The other crops are:—Maize, 30 acres; lucerne, 50 acres; cowpea, 5 acres; pumpkins (planted in the same area with the maize), 30 acres. Citrus fruits and grapes are also grown on a small scale. Last year 10 acres of oats and 9 acres of wheat averaged 2 tons of hay to the acre. Herefords, crossed by a Devon-Shorthorn strain of bull, are bred for the butcher every year. The dairy herd is composed of grade Shorthorns and Ayrshires, crossed by an Illawarra bull. The return from 20 to 40 cows for the year was 5,649 lb. of commercial butter. The 60 cows milked daily earn about 15s. per head per month. All the milking is done by machine. Last year 100 tons of oaten, wheaten, and lucerne chaff were sold at £4 10s. per ton. The Laver family also devote much attention to pig raising. A few years ago they bred pure-bred Lincolns, and in 1912 fattened 27 merinos on an acre of rape. The land is of a rich chocolate nature, and is watered by Gogango Creek, several lagoons, and the Fitzroy River. Steps are to be taken at an early date to irrigate the farms by lifting the water from the river by means of a pump, and then adopting natural gravitation. The Laver family, who started with plenty of money, are in a position to carry on their operations on a large scale. They estimate the cost of clearing their scrub land at £3 per acre. They state that Queensland, particularly the Gogango Scrub portion of it, is the finest agricultural country in the Commonwealth. The climate, too, cannot be equalled.

A Well-known Grazier’s Opinion.

The testimony of Mr. John Moffat, of Camoola Park, a well-known grazier in the Longreach district (Central Queensland), is of more than ordinary interest. Mr. Moffat says:—

“There were never better opportunities than the present in Queensland for young men and women who have energy and ambition, and are not frightened of honest work. I came from Scotland when a baby with my parents (emigrants) during the fifties to Adelaide, South Australia. My father worked as a blacksmith, and afterwards as a carrier taking goods to the Victorian goldfields, and subsequently began farming in New South Wales. I had seven brothers and three sisters.

“I left home without a shilling, and took to shearing during the season, and did contract work at other times until I had enough money to select a half section (320 acres) in New South Wales. There I married, and in time increased my area sufficiently to carry on sheep-grazing and wheat-growing. In time I sold out to good advantage, and came to Queensland, where I am now a grazier. My brothers are all employers of labour. I have reared and educated three sons and two daughters. If I were a young man now with my usual health, I would not be afraid to start life again under similar circumstances and present conditions. I attribute my success to perseverance and ambition, and using the proceeds judiciously. Australia is a good field for any industrious man or woman who sets his or her mind to honest work and tries to give satisfaction, as there are employments to suit nearly all classes of labour, as also for a man of moderate means, to take up a small farm in a suitable locality, especially after getting some experience in one of the State Agricultural Colleges. I have been in the State now nearly twenty years, and consider it a very good field for emigrants.”

Started Cane-growing with £147.

Mr. Robert P. Sneesby started sugar-growing on the Maroochy River, North Coast Line (South Queensland), with only £147. Four years ago he arrived from the Clarence River (N.S.W.), where he was a dairyman and maize-grower. He took up 80 acres on the Maroochy River, for which he paid £8 per acre. This he cleared and cropped, and then sold for £1,800. Then he purchased his present holding of 153 acres of dense scrub, the price paid therefor being £4 5s. per acre. Other expenditure—House, 18 ft. x 24 ft., £30; plough, £4 10s.; harrows, £4 10s.; scuffler, £2 12s.; hoes, mattocks, spades, &c., £1 10s.; 2 horses, £50; harness, £8; slide for cane haulage, £1; total, £102 2s.

Estimate per acre for getting land ready for first crop—Brushing, felling, burning, and clearing scrub, £4; holeing with mattock, £1 17s. 6d.; plants, £1; planting, &c., £1; chipping (3), £3 15s.; total, £11 12s. 6d.

In 1912 he cut 215 tons of cane, and his crop of maize yielded 450 bushels. From 12 acres of cane last season (1913) he harvested 370 tons. The contract for cutting cane and haulage by punt across the river entailed an expenditure of 6s. 9d. per ton. Mr. Sneesby has also a dairy herd of twelve, consisting of grade Ayrshires and Shorthorns. Regularly every week he sends 13 gallons of cream to the Caboolture Butter Factory. A dairy and separator is also established on the farm. About 6 acres have been planted with bananas, 2 acres with pineapples, and 1 acre with citrons.

Another Successful Sugar-cane Grower.

One of the most successful growers in the Johnstone River district (North Queensland), is Mr. David Hunter, of Goondi. Prior to starting cane-growing eight years ago, he was overseer of labour for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Goondi. He started with very little capital, but the terms on which the Colonial Sugar Refining Company sold him land were so reasonable that he had no difficulty in not only meeting his engagements, but also making a profit out of his labours. Good cultivation and manuring with mill refuse were the reasons for his success. His first season’s crop in 1906 yielded 1,820 tons, the net profit therefrom, after paying all liabilities, being 3s. 4d. per ton. In 1907 he cut 1,910 tons, and realised a net profit of 8s. per ton; in 1908, 1,861 tons, net profit, 10s. 11d. per ton; in 1909, 2,134 tons, net profit 11s. 6d. per ton; in 1910, 92 acres yielded 2,832 tons, net profit 12s. 5d. per ton. His average yield per acre for six years was 28 tons. In addition to mill refuse, he used green and dry manures to fertilise his land. He paid his permanent field workers 30s. per week and found. Yields for 1911–12:—1911: 90 acres, 2,423 tons; 1912: 64 acres, 1,365 tons. The best yields per acre were 43 tons in 1910 and 40 tons in 1911.

Arrived with an Empty Pocket.

Mr. H. Denning, in responding to the toast of “The Pioneers,” at a banquet at Mount Tarampa, in the Lowood district (South Queensland) in 1913, said:—“It was now 35 years since he became a resident of the district. He arrived with an empty pocket, and on arrival found he was compelled to cut a road 1-1/2 miles through scrub to get to the boundary of his selection. He cleared 2 acres, and after six months harvested his first crop of maize and sweet potatoes. He hired a wagon, and took a load into a firm in Ipswich. For the maize he received 9d. per bushel, and the sweet potatoes realised sufficient to pay the hire for the wagon, leaving him nothing for his labour.” He added: “He had seen selectors compelled to walk 4 or 5 miles for water, and carry it to their holdings in kerosene tins. Numerous times he had seen children waiting for their father’s return with water so that they could quench their thirst. Those were the days,” concluded Mr. Denning, “when the settlers required ‘grit,’ and he could truthfully say that they had abundance of it.”

Arrived in Queensland with Sixpence—Now a Well-to-do Farmer.

One of the best known identities in the Clifton district (Darling Downs, South Queensland) is Mr. Maas H. Hinz, J.P., typical pioneer, and one whose industry and perseverance have done so much to push on that busy farming place, Clifton. Mr. M. H. Hinz was born in Holstein, Germany, in January, 1841. After leaving school he worked as a farm labourer. Left the Fatherland for Queensland on 28th May, 1864, by the ship “La Rochelle,” and landed in Brisbane on 6th September, the same year. On landing all he

Possessed was a Solitary Sixpence!

After residing two days in the depÔt he secured a job with a farmer named Mr. R. Wilson, of Biley Creek, at 10s. a week. Subsequent to six months with Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hinz got another job on the construction work of the Ipswich-Toowoomba Railway line, and later on worked as a navvy on the Dalby and Warwick lines. In 1867, when wages were very low, he went across to the Burnett district, and took on shepherding on Coringa Station. He remained in that district until 1870, and then returned to the Toowoomba district, where he took up fencing and other contract work until 1872. The discovery of tin at Stanthorpe about this time attracted his attention, and he went there to try his fortune in the tin rush. On 30th December, the same year, he took up 760 acres on Back Plains, about 10 miles from Clifton. Three or four months after selecting he started working his land. For twelve months his life was a lonely one. In December, 1873, he married, and, to use his own words, “the taking up of a farm and the securing of a good wife I can safely say were the two best things I ever did in my life.” In 1875 he selected another 320 acres. When he secured the last block there were no less than thirty-two applicants. His luck was right in on that occasion. In 1877 he bought from a neighbour 160 acres; and in 1893, when the Clifton Estate was sold, he purchased 960 acres adjoining his own property. In 1900 he bought 160 acres from a man leaving the district, and shortly afterwards purchased another 760 acres of grazing land. It will thus be noticed that while working his farm land,

By Hard Work and Indomitable Perseverance,

he gradually increased his holdings. During the whole of the time he carried on mixed farming—dairying, maize and wheat growing, and sheep and horse breeding. Mr. Hinz is a magistrate of many years’ standing, and was a member of the divisional board for twelve years, once occupying the position of chairman. He was also chairman of the local cheese factory, school committee, School of Arts, and several other bodies.

Enjoying the Fruits of his Arduous Labours.

His life has been an active as well as useful one, and it is his privilege now to enjoy the fruits of his arduous labours and early settlement. Mr. Hinz toured the continent of Europe in 1900, and visited the Paris Exhibition, as also the earlier scenes of his youth. He has reared a family of eight children, five girls, and three boys. On January, 1911, on attaining the age of 70, he gave over the farm lands to his three sons, who are now working the property on the same lines as himself, while he and his wife and two daughters are living privately at Clifton. He and his good wife have worthily earned a rest, after putting in such good work in developing the district of Clifton.

Happy and Contented Russian Settlers.

Mr. A. Mendrin, of Wycarbah, Central Queensland, under date 27th July, 1914, writes as follows:—“In 1912 I visited a large number of districts, as I intended taking up some land for agricultural purposes. I finally decided on a place near Rockhampton known as Wycarbah Scrub, close to the Wycarbah Station, on the Queensland Central Railway. I decided to start a mixed farm; the climatic and other conditions being extremely favourable for the growing and cultivating of maize, cotton, potatoes, and various sorts of citrus fruits. At the present time I must say that I am highly satisfied with my land, so also with the terms and conditions offered me by the Government, and subject to which I received my land. As soon as I had settled down at Wycarbah, and had started felling and clearing my land, I received numerous inquiries from a number of my countrymen, who, knowing that I have a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches, requested me to assist them in choosing land for agricultural and pastoral purposes. To the majority of them I recommended the district where I had chosen my own farm. The others whom I had not time to conduct and go round with personally, I gave introductions to Mr. Harvey, of the Rockhampton Lands Office, where they were given every attention and courtesy, so that they did not feel in the least handicapped because of not knowing the language. I now bring some of the cases of these men before you.

Started with only 100 Roubles (£10.)

“Mr. Jacob Sank, in September, 1913, took over 160 acres of land at 22s. 6d. per acre, with 20 years in which to effect payment, in the district of Wycarbah, his whole capital at the time being some £10 = Rs. 100. At the present time he has about 15 acres cleared and mostly under crop, has built a house, possesses a horse, and intends buying a cow shortly; he has also various agricultural implements. All this is very much to Mr. Sank’s credit, as, having no money on hand, he frequently had to go outside to find work while his various crops were coming up in order to make a living. Mr. Sank also intends having a mixed agricultural farm.

Russian Naval Gunner’s Success as a Farmer.

“Mr. P. Hebenko, ex-torpedo-man on a battle cruiser, native of the Black Sea district of Russia, arrived in Australia towards the end of July, 1913. He took up 160 acres of land near my farm in September, 1913; it is good chocolate soil, and is under brigalow and light scrub. Shortly after having taken over his land, Mr. Hebenko got his wife and three children from Russia, and they arrived here in November, 1913; whereupon Mr. Hebenko promptly left for his farm. I last visited his farm in April, 1914. He had by that time cut down, cleared, and under crop 8 acres, 6 acres being under maize. He had also built a house, and possessed a horse and various agricultural implements. Having expended all his ready money, he then set off in search of work, which he obtained 9 miles from his home at 9s. per day, leaving his family on the farm well provided for by the various vegetables and fruits which were growing in the orchard. All his children visit an English school at Wycarbah Station, about 1-1/2 miles from his farm.

“Both the settlers referred to above have expressed themselves highly satisfied with everything, and especially with the fate that directed them to Australia.

“In addition to those mentioned above, the following also took land in the vicinity of Wycarbah:—Messrs. Bikovsky, Pagin, and Krasnih.

We Do Not Repent having Left our Native Land.

“In order to clearly show what a Russian’s opinion of Queensland is, I will now give a few extracts from a letter written by a Mr. Godalov, of Canungra, South Coast line, dated 24th February, 1911, and published in certain Russian newspapers:—’... and so I am to be congratulated; 160 acres of superb land, with a healthy beautiful climate, within 30 miles of the sea, at an elevation of 3,000 feet, and this for 32s. an acre and 20 years to pay it in. I consider it my duty to assure you that

We do not Repent ever having left our Native Land,

notwithstanding that my present social position is different to the one I occupied in Russia, and also notwithstanding the fact that the life here, too, is quite different to life in Russia; nevertheless, I have never yet thought that I came out here on a wild-goose chase (to say nothing of the children, who cry when we, jokingly, talk of returning to Russia), in spite of the fact that my actual income—at present—is smaller than it was in Russia, life here is in no case worse. The explanation makes this assertion obvious. I do not have to pay mad sums of money for the rent of my house, its heating, the educating and upbringing of my children, expensive warm clothing is unnecessary, there is no need for you to worry about to-morrow, and at last, but by no means leastly, for your own freedom and absolute liberty. All this gives a deep reason why Russians should emigrate to Australia....’

“As previously stated, the above are extracts from Mr. Godalov’s open letter, he is well-known by the farmers of his district. Other characteristic cases are those of Messrs. Danilchenko and Ilyin, in North Queensland.

“I satisfy myself with mentioning just these few cases, but, of course, there are a good many other similar cases amongst the Russian colony in Queensland. I have taken the above cases at random, and think that they clearly illustrate that a good, honest, and energetic Russian agriculturist cannot find a country with more favourable conditions than those offered him by Queensland for applying his knowledge and labour to.

“In view of my having received a large number of inquiries as to the shortest space of time in which profit can be obtained from land still to be cleared, I, in the interests of intending emigrants, would like to give the following facts, which are based on my own experiences:—

Mr. A. Mendrin’s Experiences.

“We will say, then, that you have gone through the formalities of obtaining your land (in Queensland they are not complicated). From the first day of your arrival on your farm you will start cutting down your trees (these are mostly soft), a normally healthy agricultural peasant should fell from 2 to 2-1/2 acres of brigalow scrub in a week. In this way in a month’s time you should have about ten acres of trees felled, provided you started this during the summer months. You will want, say 2-1/2 months, for the fallen timber to dry before you burn it. Having burnt it, you promptly start sowing maize between the stumps, and while this is taking root you continue felling or putting up your fence, as the case may be. It will take about 105 days for your maize to grow. You then pull the cobs, and prepare them for drying and threshing, which should take about two weeks, at the end of which time you will be in a position to realise your first crop. Virgin soil in the district I am speaking of (Wycarbah) will yield about 60 bushels of maize to the acre; that is, from 10 acres you will get 600 bushels; the average price is 3s. per bushel, or £90 for the 10 acres you have cleared. In this way seven months have gone by since the day on which you started work, and you have £90 in your pocket, less from £10 to £12 for various expenses, such as packing, delivery, &c. I would like to make it quite clear that I have taken only the average price of maize above. Lately this article has been quoted at Rockhampton at from 4s. to 4s. 3d. per bushel.

“Knowing how popular pig and poultry breeding and farming is amongst Russian peasantry, I can say, with conviction, that these two yield a very good source of income, as do all other branches of pastoral and agricultural enterprise, all of which I cannot give details of here in view of the space such information would take up.

“Finally, I consider it my bounden duty to assert that my two years of careful study of agricultural and other conditions of life in Queensland give me good foundation on which to consider this country as the

Most Convenient, Favourable, and Attractive Country

for the average Russian agricultural or other peasant to emigrate to.

“I have to express my thanks to the Lands Department for the kindness and attention shown by them in all cases when Russian subjects have approached them requesting advice and assistance.”

For fuller information in regard to the resources, modes of land selection, and general description of Queensland, see the booklet, entitled “Pocket Queensland.”

Compiled 31st December, 1914.

By Authority: Anthony J. Cumming, Government Printer, Brisbane.

Transcriber’s Notes:

Front and back covers of the brochure contain text and images, so have been transcribed.

Page 3: livihood changed to livelihood.

Page 9: rhubard changed to rhubarb.

Page 45: Plunket changed to Plunkett.