ROMANCE OF DROVING

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 1

ROMANCE OF DROVING

“OUTBACK" IN AUSTRAyA MOVING. 3,000 HEADPerhaps one of the'most romantic occupations is that of a drover, who, more than anybody else, is proving that, although this may bo the age of tho motor, the horse still has its uses. Some remarkable driving feats have been accomplished in the past, an epic ill this regard being tho moving last year of 11,000 head of cattle from the Northern ‘Territory into New South Wales- Tho stock travelled in mobs of 1,200, and so successful was the undertaking that another important contract has just been let. New Zealanders who have little idea of the magnitude of the great outback of Australia will find it . difficult to realise that this latest journey will occupy at least fifteen months, during which time it is hoped to move 3,000 head of cattle from the territory into New South Wales; There will bo three “plants” provided by the contracting drovers, and each plant will handle 1,000 cattle. What is a plant? Well, a plant is now on its way from Brisbane,* and it comprises forty horses, a lour or fivehorse wagon equipped with tanks, cooking gear, camp ovens, tarpaulins—all the varied impedimenta of a droving party. The party has to travel cverland a distance of 600 miles to where the cattle are waiting. On the way there this party will be joined l by two other parties. The droving will not commence until March next, when tho routes will be dry enough to travel stock, yet with enough ; water - for them. The, water supply is no small consideration when it is realised that a mob of 1,000 swallows 1,600 gallons of water at each drink. The three outfits will operate about ten days apart, and each will move-its cattle at the rate of fifty-six miles a week—eight miles a day. The men who have pioneered this route have done their work remarkably well, for it is stated that there is usually good water practically the whole of tho way. Of course, there are dry stretches, and then the cattle are kept on the water until midday, and then travel only about six miles. The next day they travel about twelve miles to the water, and’when the water is close the cattle take a great deal of holding. To a very largo extent the weather conditions govern the i;oute to bo taken, so it will % bo. realised that droving is a task to bo undertaken only by the most experienced of men., “ There, is big money to be earned at droving, and tho big money.is certainly well earned. We don’t like this starting business,” said the head drover in Brisbane the other day. “ What we like is'the finishing up-and the dividing of the, cash. The contract, gives us 2s a head for each 100 miles travelled, so that we will make £3OO a. fortnight when the whole 3,000, are moving—and wo will need every - bit of it with:wages to . pay. and butter about 5s a pound at ; CamPoweal. , Still, it is, a.good life, and when we have finished there is a chance of a contract to. remoye (20,000 ’head of cattle from : the l Roper, River. That would;be'.worth while.” , ‘