THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 156, 30 January 1868, Page 2

THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA

(FROM THE BRISBANE COURIER.) We are enable to publish, the following account of the progress of settlement in that part of Australia usually designated the "Far North," through the courtesy of Fenwick and Co. The letter, though dated from Burketown, is written by a client of theirs, who is one amongst the venturous pioneers in that remote region which lies on the shores of the Gulf, in South Australian territory ; —"I beg to furnish you with a brief account of how we are getting on out here, and how things are progressing generally, well knowing that many who read your valuble journal feel deeply interested in this district, and any news from it will be acceptable. "To do this I must commence on the Flinders Biver. I am sorry to say that on that river things are very dull, owing to the great scarcity of rain this season few of the squatters having any green grass; but but on most of the stations there is an abundance of old gras3, which is very dry. It is remarkable, and speaks highly for the country out here, and which I have seen in scarcely any other part of the colonies, that let the grass be ever so dry the stock are "rolling fat,' and the ewes that have lambs have an abundance of milk, but the grass being so dry at the various lambinggrounds it soon treads up ; hence arises one of the greatest difficulties this season in getting a good lambing. On the Lower Flinders they have had to contend against the same difficulties—in fact everywhere in this district, there has been little or no rain or nine months.

"Messrs. J. G. Macdonald and Co. have brought out 20,000 sheep on to their country on the Leichardt and Gregory Rivers, all of which are doing remarkably well, and are in first-class condition for sheep coming off a long journey. All the squatters I have seen feel much indebted to Messrs. J, G. Macdonald, for the enterprise and the interest they have shown in endeavoring to push ahead this district, and in bringing into the market as much labor as they could "Burketown is just now very quiet, none of the storekeepers having any goods for sale, and if you offered 50s. for a pair of moleskin trousers you could not get them, or a shirt of any description ; and when they do get any goods round, which, I am sorry to say is verry seldom, their prices are something outrageous—in fact, you can get slopa of all descriptions fifty per cent, cheaper 250 miles up the country, on th tableland, than you can purchase them in Burketown. There are, I believe, two vessels from Sydney expected round some time; but the same rumour has been floating about here for the last two months—in fact, it has now I become quite a byword. You cannot pur-

•chase flour or anything in the shape of slops here. Mr. Head has gone to Sydney to ptry some of his numerous friends a visit, and it is dfficult to calculate his return. " I must now give you some snialraecount of the tableland. lam happy to say that •the accounts from this district -are most favourable. At Rockland Station (Mr. Sutherland's) the country is looking splendid; there have been a few thunderstorms, and frequently an abundance of green grass and herbage. The lambing, which I am informed by Mr. G. Sutherland is just over, and is splendid, averages 95 £ per cent., on all the flocks; and the ewes and lambs are in magnificient condition. It is to 'bo hoped there will be a liood this year, as there is-a great scarcity of water in some of the creeks, there haveing been no flood in them for nearly two years. Stony Plains is the next station on the ■tablelands ; and there has been little or no ■rain, the light thunderstorms having ■fallen close to the range. There is, however, 'I r am informed, an abundance of old •dry grass, and the stock are all very fat; the lambing there has just finished 'most satisfactorily, averaging on all the flocks >ninty per cent., and the ewes having an . abundance of milk.

" There is no sickness out there of any description, and there has scarcely been a 1 single instance since the country has been taken up, which is doubtless attributed to its being very high land, and consequently : always a strong wind blowing." " All the squatters are calling for cheaper labour; wages are still very high out here, toeing 355. per week, There are hundreds of things they want done, but owing to the fearfully high price of labour they are unable ■to do them.

"Several settlers have spoken to me, and expressed a hope that when immigration is again carried on by the Government they will send round at least one shipment to the Gulf j as they certainly are entitled to some, according to a promise made by Mr Macalister, when in office, to that effect. There is an abundance of work here if men •could be got at anything like reasonable wages to do it." '• I am happy to say there have been no cases of fever in the Gulf this year. That •disease seems to have passed away. In all new districts there has always been some sort of district disease ; but after a year or so of settlement it has always disappeared. It is my opinion, and it is the general opinion of every squatted and everv district resident here, that Burketown would have been five times what it is now if we had only been blessed with a good pushing, persevering P.M.—one who would have endeavoured to push the district ahead and advance its interests. I may just mention here that we are very likely to have a splendid gold-field on the Leichardt River, where the late M, M'lntyre found gold. Mr Holmes has been out prospecting, and returned, after six week' work, with most favorable reports, having found some splendid specimens of rough gold; and he says that for 150 miles, all the same country, you can pick the same samples up on the He and five others have started out, with a good supply of rations. If it should turn out a gooh. gold-field it will be a godsend to us here." " I should be happy to furnish you with a few lines oftener, but for the uncertainty of ■our mail communication. I can scarcely hope you will get this before six months as I myself received a letter three days ago. If you should receive it, please be kind ■enough to give it a little corner in your valuable journal, and oblige."