CONDITIONS IMPROVING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17608, 26 October 1931, Page 7

CONDITIONS IMPROVING

QUEENSLAND PASTORAL INDUSTRY BRISBANE, Oct. 13. 'Stock conditions on the Darling Doavus and South-West have improved, Avith a fair demand for stores, both cattle and sheep; but farther north there is rather a freeze-out oAving to the dry time. Good rains alone Avill give relief. Many sheep places arc overstocked, because it has not been possible to sell OAving to the loav values of avool and the shortage of feed. There has been some talk of the establishment of meat Avorks in the Gulf of Carpentaria, but that Avould not be a new thing. Many years ago there were Avorks at BurketOAvn and Normanton, but shipping facilities Avere unsatisfactory, and supplies of stock Avere irregular. Conditions, hoAvevcr, have altered, and people have had more experience. Baihvay freights have been crippling tho efforts of those who desired to send stock to the ToAvn.svillo meat Avorks. A fcAv smaller sheep properties have lately changed hands, chiefly in the southwest. 'Carandotta, with- 575 square miles, stocked Avith 48,000 sheep, Avas lately offered at auction, but no but was made. This run i 3 out on the North Australian border, about 40 miles from Urantlangic. In tho old days cattle Avere run on it, hut just over 50 years ago the late Oscar do Satgc put sheep ou, and did A T cry avcll until a succession of dry years starved him out. It is very lino avool country, but like all other places on the border fence, is not safe Avithout heavycosting improvement.