INTERCOLONIAL AGRICULTURAD AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 20

INTERCOLONIAL AGRICULTURAD AND PASTORAL NEWS.

QUEENSLAND.

Biisbane. May 6.

The rains referred to in last month's letter to The Review proved by later reports to be of a very beneficial character. 1 With the exception of ilia unfortunate Winton district, the \vhol3 of the State appears to have benefited to a very considerable extent, and the prospects foi the v. inter are said to be. excellent. On the Darling Downs, end in the agricultural districts generally, splendid rains fell, which, bc&iclos enabling seeding opeiraliona to proceed, have had an oxc&llent effect on both the natural and artificial trasses with the. result that the supply of cream has gone up by leaps and bouncis. The increased production of cream, as detailed in the reports of the various factories; is little short of marvellous, and as prices for all deccrintions of farm produce continue to be very good, the agriculturist is having a tery good time, whilst a great impetus is being given to the farming industry generally. Dairy cows are in great demand, and an oxcello.it sign is, the disposition of farmers to secure good beast?, even ab the higher prices ruling ; the old! idea (not so very old, either) that anything was good enough as a milker is nowfast dying out. Tho recent dry spell of 1 weather on the northern rivers of New South Wales has led to the farmers there realising on a eonsiderabl2 number of their surplus beasts, many of which are finding their way into th : s State, recent- purchases having amounted to over 1000 head of good cows. The subdivision of freehold estates by the Government and private owners, both' on the Darling Downs and in the Moreton. districts, goes on apace, and new towrrships and farming communities are spiinging up in every c'.irecliou. Til ore is practically 710 demand for station properties, curlier sheep- or cattle, and! very few salas are- recorded. Headingley, in the Gregory North district, formerly the property of Messrs M'Whannel Bros., has been sold to Mr S. Kidman, with 700 cattle and 300 horses; the price given, has not transpired. The frozen lamb industry is one which" Queensland has practically not touched at present, though the facilit : ea afforded! for thci successful breeding andl rearing o£ lambs suitable for export are manifold*. Some little time since, a Darling Downs graziei sen' a consignment of 500 frozen lambs to London pe<i s.s. Dorset, and the report on same has just arrived. It appears that .the .consignment, received some injury on ~ikd homeward journey, owing, it is thought, to the prolonged opening of the freezing chambers whilst discharging South African cargo, but the advices received by the agents for the consignor show that the lambs were well selected, and of a charaxrter and qualify to suit the London^ market. The Gov&rnmcnt; Statistician announces that thci number of stock in the State as at 31st December last was 2,665,510 cattle and 11,192,938 *he»n. ss against 2,481.717 cattle and 8,392,044 sheep at the 31st December, IPO3, bfhio an increase of 183,793 cattlei and 2,800,£94 sheep. A successful wool -ale has just been, held, at which some 33C0 bales were offered to a very good attendanea of buyers, including representatives of America andl Japan. The competition was keen, and the wool, which comprised som© good western and central clips, realised excellent prices, the r»e in values being said to ba fully 5 per cent. The tvia.' shipment by the Queensland! Meat Kxport and' Agency Company of 400 tons of frozen m"at to Singapore has turned out a success, and if the demand) grows i^ is likely that the shipment will be followed by further consignments. The company named have just secured the anniwl contract for the supply of meafe fc tihe Ameiican troops in tho Philippine*. The contract is foi' the suoply of 6.500 000117 of beef and about 224,0001b of mutton In ordei to fulfil this contract the company will open theii Ross Rive* (Townbvillo) wcrks for a short season. The number of cattle rcquirpd is estimated at about 18.000 head, and it is understood! the company propose to _draw upon their northern stations fo. tbesp, though it masbe necessary to augment the supply by purchasing There, was very keen "eon\petition for the contract, tha chief competitors being the Argentine meat companies, who were prepared) to place tha meat f.o.b. at li^d! per Ib. The new contract commences in June, and an endeavour is being made to arrange for shipment •every six weeks. There has Loen a considerable agitation on foot in the St. George district relative to tho rabbit pest and the best means of coping with the danger. At a reurecentativei meeting of stock owners, 'held during the early part of April, it was considered that; tho cost of combating- the rabbits should be nationalised. Tt was ?,ho resolved that it will be un\»i-e for the Government itself to undertake the work of destruction or to koco the nest in check, and it was suggested "that the onus should be thrown upojn tho land holders, who should be assisted b-y the Government by a reduction! in ihe interest on netting charges, whilst rents in tho rabbit distiicts should be reduced to a minimum and the tenure increased to 42 years; that in all holding"? fenced, netted areas should not exceed! 20.000 acres; and tbat owners be cornpolled to d'C-jtrcy within these areas und&p penalty of forfeiture of the whole lease. The niccring was al<o of opinion that all unoccupied' Crown lands should be thrown; open to lease under rabbit conditions ati a peppercorn rental. Tho last resolution', it was considered, was most important; aa the unoccupied Crown lands are alwaya a menace, being the resort of noxious animals and weed-.