QUEENSLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18796, 18 November 1932, Page 2

QUEENSLAND.

OTTAWA AGREEMENTS. RECEIVED WITH MIXED FEELINGS. UNFAIR LOAD IMPOSED. ('Empire Press Union.) BRISBANE, Nov. 12. Owing to the good rains which have fallen practically throughout the whole State, prospects for the coming season are bright, although damage was done to crops in the earlj part of the month through hail storms on the Darling Downs. Most of the sufferers were covered by • insurance, and 317 claims have been dealt with by the State Insurance Commissioner. The financial position has improved and Government bonds have been at a premium. The full text of the Ottawa agreements, which was made available on October 11, was received with mixed feelings. It was generally recognised that mutual sacrifices were inevitable, but there is a strong feeling prevalent that Queensland has been called upon to bear an unfair load, and that her banana and pineapple industries have been treated ungenerously. There is comfort in prospective large inrreases in the beef industry. The recent success of the experimehila 1 consignment of chilled beef to England has greatly stimulated interest. Unemployment. The latest scheme of the Government is lo provide 1000 farms for 1000 unemployed persons, by which means it is hoped lo reduce further the strain on the relief funds. 9 A Great Philanthropist. Reference was made last month to the launching of a Crippled Children’s Aid Society. The movement lias received Lhe unqualified support of the public, and already over £2500 has been donated for the furtherance of its aims. In addition, Mr George Marchant, a well-known public benefactor, lias presented his beautiful home at Taringa for the housing and education of the unfortunate children. One of the most picturesque of llie many beautiful homes in Brisbane, the palatial homestead, situated in five acres of ground, is ideal for llic purpose. The Government has agreed lo waive gift duties, and the City Council will forego Us rates. Mr Marchant lias sponsored innumerable philanthropic schemes, and lias distributed tons of thousands or pounds in charily. Barrier Reef Wonders. The wonders of the Barrier Reef are a never-ending fount of delight to tourists, and a source of interest to scientists. It is rather late in the year for visits to North Queensland, but the accommodation of steamships has been fully availed of, and a movement has been started by the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce lo have the tourist season to the North extended for another month. The co-opera-tion of steamship companies is being sought. Arrangements have just been completed for extensive work among the wonders of the Barrier Reef by an American expedition, which is about to leave Thursday Island in a privately chartered lugger. The expedition is being sponsored by Americans. Mining Activity. Interest in gold mining remains unabated, and encouraging reports have been received from all parts of the Slate. Almost, daily new mining companies figure in Stock Exctiangc quotations, and brokers arc busier than they liavo been for years. Latest reports from the famous Mount Morgan mine indicate that good progress is being made in re-opening the workings. and it is expected by Government experts that the mine will shortly be in a position to treat 150,000 tons of ore annually'. Interest centres chiefly in developments at Cracow, the newest field, where new leases are constantly being taken up. The new township has been surveyed and 174 building allotments will be put up for auction in November—the upset prices ranging from £6O to £IBO. In July last the entire population of the ficid was 25. To-day nearly 3000 people live in tile district. Aeroplane trips from Brisbane to Cracow and back arc of almost daily occurrence. Sailing Revolutionised. One of the most popular pastimes in Brisbane is sailing, and this year enthusiasm lias reached a high peak. A new type of vessel was introduced in the 18-footer class, which has proved almost phenomenal. It promises to revolutionise the type in future races. The new vessel, rained “Abcrdarc,” is of the skiff type, narrow in the beam. It was expected that although it would go fast before the breeze, difficulties might he encountered in variable breezes. However, on the try-out in the first two races of the season while all her competitors were bailing out continuously, tho “Aberdare” shipped scarcely any water. In her maiden effort she ran away from everything, winning with a 14-minute margin over a 9-mile course. Site made the Australian champion look slow.