II
1091
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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
»
El I .:--■:;/ ,;:i □ l;'HM&'l ||j fr^Mj 0 t"i'^M'''J □ l!'flM;l
TASMANIA
Crown Lands
Guide
1914
Published by Authority of
THE HONOURABLE JAMES BELTON
Minisler of Lands and Works
!TY OF CAL1FOR
OS ANGELQS
AUG 12 1359
LiLJRAKf
*olm'feoVT. PUBS. ROOM
John Vail. Government Printer, Tasmania
1914
TASMANIA
CROWN LANDS GUIDE
1914
IT BUSHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE
HON. JAMES BELTON, MINISTER OF LANDS AND WORKS
& o b a 1 1 :
JOHN VAIL, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. ^TASMANIA
1914
HP
PREFACE.
VH
This is the Tenth Edition of the Crown Lands Guide, a publication
which is compiled from the most reliable sources, mainly for the
information of persons abroad who may desire to come and settle
in Tasmania. It contains a digest of the Land Laws and Regula-
tions, and gives reliable information upon the settlements of lands
in every district throughout the State, setting forth the prices,
terms, and conditions under which Crown lands may be
purchased and may be leased and occupied for pastoral, manufac-
turing, or other purposes, under the provisions of " The Crown
Lands Act."
Prominence is given to the value of the timber industry and the
regulations under which the famous hardwoods of the State are
being developed ; by the inclusion of a special report by the Chief
Forest Officer (Mr. J. C. Penny); and by the insertion of a num-
ber of photographic views, which indicate the progress being made
in the timber, agricultural, and horticultural industries of the
State. Reference is also made to the advancement made in closer
settlement, for which, in regard to climate, soils, water, &c, Tas-
mania is admirably adapted.
The special reports from the district surveyors on the Crown
lands available for selection in the various districts throughout
the State are calculated to give a good general idea of the char-
acter of the country and the facilities that are being provided for
its development ; whilst the necessarily condensed reports from the
experts attached to the Agricultural Department convey much
practical information that will be found very useful to the selector
in the early stages of his enterprise.
Attention is directed to the great advantages which Tasmania
offers to those who desire to engage in the fruit industry (one of
the most lucrative in the State), and to the room for expansion of
-« »r*.r^rr*rt
the same, especially in the favoured districts of the Huon (in the
south), and the Tamar (in the north).
A useful article is contributed to the Guide by Mr. L. A.
Evans, Secretary to the Immigration Committee, on matters affect-
ing immigration and the orcharding industry generally ; whilst the
various references made to the beauty spots of the State are
intended to convey a general idea of the natural attractions of the
country for the benefit of tourists and others.
The information supplied in previous issues has been carefully
revised and brought up to date, under the supervision of the Sur-
veyor-General and Secretary for Lands (E. A. Counsel, Esq.).
JAMES BELTON,
Commissioner of Crown Lands.
25th May, 1914.
INDEX.
PAGE
Administration 5
Agricultural Bank 158
Produce 109
,, Districts 150
Industry 143-190
Auction Sales 22-25
Periods of 23
Arthur. County of 44
Areas of Country Lands sold 192-193
,, for Special Settlement 29
Apple-growing 163
" Applications to purchase 9
,, lease 35
Avoca 188
Bagdad 172
Bailiffs of Crown Lands 2
Barrington l85
Business Licences 40
Buckingham. County of 46
Butter Factories 117
Brunv Island 48.99.172
Carnarvon 190
Caves 107
Classification of Lands 6. 101
Climate 43, 190
T*oTrdrTirnTs of Purchase 28.102
Conditions of Purchase at Auction 23.25
Contracts 22
Credit Purchasers to make Improvements 28
Country Lands sold. Returns of 193
Clearing Land 104
Crown Lands Bailiffs 2
Characteristics of Tasmania 42
:TToser Settlement Ill
Collectors of Timber Licences, &c 2
Residence Licences, &c 4
County of Arthur 44
Buckingham 46
Cornwall 50
Cumberland 55
„ Devon 55
,, Dorset 60
,, Franklin 66
,, Glamorgan 67
,, Kent 67
Lincoln 68
Vlll
PAGE
County of Monmouth 76-79
„ Montagu 70
„ Montgomery 78
,, Pembroke 79
,, Russell 83
,, Somerset 88
Wellington 89
„ Westmorland 107
Crops 147,148
Yields of 109,194
Construction of Roads 40
Commercial Timbers 122
Dairying Industry 117,191
Districts 118.120
,, Factories 117
Department of Lands and Surveys 1
Derwent Valley 174
Devonport 187
District Surveyors 2
Digest of Land Laws 5
Discount allowed for Prepayments 29
Default in Payments 29
Notices 32
Definition of Lands 6
Devon, County of 55
Digest of Lands Act 5
Dorset, County of 60
East Coast . 80
Estate in Land 34
Eucalyptus Trees 128
First-class Agricultural Lands 24
Fees for Business Licences 40
,, Residence Licences 40
Survey 18,19
Fees payable at Crown Lands Office for Publications,
&c 197,201
Fees for Timber Licences 136
Fingal 53
Flinders Island 97
Forfeitures 32
Forestier's Peninsula 80
Franklin, County of 66
Furneaux Group of Islands 97
Farming Industries 108
Factory, Butter 117
Fruitgrowing 109, 140, 168,176, 181
Forage Crops 148
\ Forestry 122
,, Nursery 137
Forth 185
Frankford 189
Grazing Leases 35
,, Licences 38
Grant Deeds 34
IX
PAGE
Glamorgan. County of 67
Glenorchy 172
Glen Hiion 191
Government Publications 196
Game Protection 195
General Return, Crown Lands Branch 192
Harbours 190
Homestead Areas 12,102
Huon District 170
Hunter Group of Islands 98
Irishtown 186
Improvements, Payment for 37
to be effected 28.103
Islands of Tasmania 77
Kent. Countv of 67
King' Island 191
Kindred 186
Land Values 181
Lands and Surrey Department 1
Sales. Return of 192
Selection of 101
Lands Suitable for Selection 46.48,52.62,64.68.76,
80, 83, 90, 98
Leases for Grazing purposes 35
,, Other purposes 37
Logging 132
Railway purposes 38
Sawmilling 132
Licences for Residence 38
for Business 40
Lilydale 188
Livestock Returns 194
Lincoln, County of 68
Logging Areas 132
Lakes of Tasmania 94
Mersey Valley 175
Merino Sheep 115
Mining Areas 14,102
Towns 28
Monmouth, County of 79
Montagu, County of 70
Montgomery, County of 78
Maria Island .' 99
Macquarie Group of Islands 100
Maps and Plans, Price of 197
Mode of Selection 103
Mooreville Road 187
Names of District Surveyors 2
North Motton 187
Notice to Defaulters 32
New Ground 187
Observations on Settlement 101
Occupation of Land on Mining Fields 38
Officers of Department 1
X
PAGE
Occupation Licences 38
Ornamental Timbers 126
Orcharding 140. 168. 176. 181
Payment for Improvements 37
of Survey Fees 101
Pastoral Produce 109
Poultry Industry 160,191
Preston 186
Public Reserves 8
Purchasers on Credit to make Improvements 28. 103
Purchase at Auction 22
Pembroke, County of 79
Plans and Maps, Price of 197
Private Contract, Sales bv 23
/Rainfall * 43.98
Residence on Lands 28
, , Licences 40
Reserves for Public Purposes 8
,, for Timber 8
Roads, Construction of 40
Railways, Leases for 38
Renting Crown Lands 35
Revenue Returns 192
Ridgeley 185
Ringa rooma 62
Russell, County of 83
Royalty on Timber 132
Rent of Sawmill Areas 132,6
, , Logging Areas 132
Stock-breeding 114
_|dUs_ 144
TScale of Stamp Duties 33
Timber Fees 136
Survey Districts 2,5
Surveyors, District 2
Second-class Crown Lands 25
Selection of Land 9.101
Schedule 2 9
„ 3 10
,, of Payments for Third-class Land 11
,, ,, ,, Homestead Areas 12
„ ,, „ Survey Fee 18
,, ,, ,, Land Purchased at Auc-
tion 22. 26
Survey Fees, Scale of 18.19,20
Fees 101
,, of Land 16
Special Areas for Settlement 2!!
Sale of Land at Auction 22-26
,, by Private Contract 23
Sawmilling Areas 6
, , Leases 132
Sawmills 132
St. Marvs 189
XI
PAGE
St. Helens 189
Statistics, Crown Lands Branch 192, 194
Somerset, County of 88
Schouten Island 100
Scottsdale 188
Stamp Duty 33
State Agricultural Bank 158
Staverton 185
Stock, Returns of 194
Stoodley 185
Table Cape 188
Temperature 44
Tasman Peninsula 80, 174
Transfers of Land 33
Terms of Purchase 102
,, ,, at Auction 22-26
Town Lands 23
,, in Mining Districts 28
Tyenna 190
Timber Industry 122
,, Trees, List of 138
,, Reserves 6
Beds 47,88,126
,, Royalty on 132
Third-class Lands 26
Transfer of Land 33
Three Hummock Island 90
Upper Flowerdale 187
Uses of Tasmanian Timbers 128
Wharves, &c, Lease of 37
Westmorland, County of 107
West Tamar 56
Wattle Grove 190
Wellington, County of 89
Yields of Crops 108
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
An Ayrshire Herd 119
Apple Orchard, Lilydale 191
Apple Orchards, Bagdad Valley 169
Bush Sawmill 133
,, Tramway 127
Blue-gum Piles 125,129,135
Burnie 57
Cattle at Gunn's Plains 108
Clearing the Land 104
Constructing a Bush Tramway 127
Devonport from the South-west 54
Fruit and Hop Country, Bushy Park and Macquarie
Plains 1^
Fruit Show, Hobart, 1914 165,167
Farm on River Tamar 155
Xll
PAGE
Fruit and Hop Country 173
Farm Horses 13 1
Huon River at Huonville 49
Harvesting at Colebrook, Coal River Valley 153
Huon River at Shipwrights' Point 182
Hereford Cattle 114
Harvesting Wheat, Sorell 31
Hobart from Lansdowne-crescent 7
Huon Timber Company's Mill 131
,, Tram, Geeveston 41
Hereford Cattle 114
King River Gorge, Mt. Lyell Railway 63
King Solomon's Caves 69
Lake George and Mount King William 17
Lake Sorell 2<
Launceston 13
Meander River at Deloraine 21
Mount Victoria, East Coast 121
Muscovy Ducks 162
Moonlight on Great Lake 96
Mt. Lyell Smelters 75
Mt. Bischoff Dressing-sheds 87
Orchards at Glenora 141
Orchards at Huonville and Ranelagh 171
Orchard Nursery, River Tamar 91
Panoramic View of Penguin 59
Prosser's River, from Road, near Paradise 81
Pioneer Farm at Mole Creek 145
Potatoes, Lilydale 155
Pea-crop, Sorell 149
Queenstown, near Mt. Lyell 73
Ra nelagh 143
Regatta Point, Strahan 65
Sheep 106. 115
S.s. "Ceramic" Shipping Fruit at Ocean Pier,
Hobart Frontispiece
Scamander River 61
Split Rock, Great Lake 95
The North Esk River 51
The Gordon River 45
Tasmania Gold Mine, Beaconsfield 39
Table Cape Butter Factory 118
Tree-felling in Geeveston Forest 123
View of Pens, Springvale, Egg-laying Competition ... 161
Woolmers, Longford 113
TASMANIA.
DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEYS-
Offices: Davey-street, Hobart.
tTommtssioiuT of vTiotou iiantts
Hon. James Belton, M.H.A.
Surbrgor-tfintrral antr Sfrrrtar;i> for Jian&fl
And Chairman *>1 Trustees of Agricultural Bank:
E. A. Counsel.
Clerical Staff:
Assistant-Secretary for Lands — W. N. Hurst.
Cashier and Accountant and Collector of Stamp Duties — F. Turner.
Clerks— T. P. Molloy, C. B. Pitman. D. Guilbert, J. L. McGough, J.
Cronly, Miss E. Todd. Miss F. Lewis, D. Hickman.
Engrossing ('huh — R. C. Bompas.
^forestry Staff:
Chief Forest Officer — J. C. Penny.
Chief Inspector of Timber — T. J. Stubbs.
tfrofrssional Staff:
Chief Draftsman — Leventhorpe Hall.
Draftsmen — E. P. Lovett, A. B. Howell, O. Roper, C. K. Oldmeadow.
J. M. Clarke, W. Scott, L. Turner, A. Oldmeadow, A. Weber,
O. M. Weber. E. W. Simm, F. Blake, S. H. Barnett.
Messenger — C. E. Emery.
Branch Office, St. John-street, Launceston.
Draftsman and Officer in Charge — T. Garrard.
Clerk — A. Parry.
Messenger — T. Bryan.
J9i8trtct ^urbeporsj :
Name of District.
11
Name of District
Surveyor.
Address.
Buckingham
Combes
Hobart
Deloraine
C.
M. Archer
Elizabeth Town
Devon
A.
C. Hall
West Devonport
Dorset
(',.
T. Eddie
Invermay
Moorina
G.
C. Smith
St. Helens
Fingal
Thos. Clark
Fingal
King Island
C.
A. Goddard
Stone Buildings, Hobart
Montagu
c
S. Wilson
Zeehan
Russell
I).
Jones
Waratah
Tasman Peninsula
.1.
H. Hinsby
Kingston-road, Hobart
Wellington Central
l<\
E. Windsor
Wynyard
Wellington East
11
F. Miles
Burnie
Wellington West
K
M. Harrisson
Smithton
Kent and Lake District
C.
E. Radcliff
3 Lord^street, Queen-
borough
Flinders Island
R.
B. Montgomerv
Campbell Town
Mersey
.1
Wilks
Sheffield
Uatltffs of Proton ftanos ano (IToUrrtora of Ctmfcrr ttirrnre jfeeg. &c.
District.
Name of Officer.
Address.
Avoca
L. A. Herbert
Avoca
Beaconsfield
J. W. Waterman
Beaconsfield
Burnie
H. Cleveland
Burnie
Bothwell
J . Reardon
Bothwell
Balfour
L R. Nibbs
Balfour
Brighton
G. Hildyard
Brighton
Campbell Town
J. L. Go ven
Campbell Town
Cheshnnt Estate
G. McCarthy
Cheshnnt Estate
Circular Head
A. W. Evles
Stanley
Clarence
A. Tait
Bellerive
Copping
C. Cooley
Copping
Deloraine
W. Browne
Deloraine
Devonport
A. J. Harris
Devonport
Emu Bay
H. Cleveland
Burnie
Esperance
W. Lisson
Dover
Evandale
W. Devitt
Evandale . , ,.
Fingal
H. P. Hynes
Fingai
Flinders and sur-
F. H. Archer
Cape Barren' Island
rounding Islands
George Town
M. Mackey
Lefroy
Glamorgan
C. W. Berresford
Swansea
Glenorchy
M. Conlan
Hobart
Gormanston
G. A. Bradlev
Gormanston
Green Ponds
E. C. Flude
Kempton
Hamilton
J. Upchnrch
Hamilton
Hvthe
G. K. Hall
Hythe
New Norfolk-
T. C. Crawford
Macquarie Plains
District.
Name of Officer.
Address.
New Norfolk
C.
Griffith
New Norfolk
i
YV
N. Hurst
Hobart
J.
C. Penny
Hobart
Hobart s
G.
W. Ward
Hobart
1
T.
Males
Glebe Town
Woolmers Estate
\Y
T. Spencer
Woolmers, Cressy
Huoii {
.1.
Anderson
Franklin
H
(J. Crosswell
Huonville
Port Cygnet and N.
T.
S. Telford
"Woodbridge ; also N.
Bruny
Bruny
Kingborongh
T.
Lynskey
Kingston
Kentish
Sheffield
King Island
P.
T. Sullivan
Currie Harbour
Latrobe
J.
Montgomery
Latrobe
Launceston
0.
E. Hedberg
Launceston
Leven
\Y
. C. Longman
Ulverstone
Lilydale
C.
P. Foley
Lilydale
Longford
('.
C. Lyndon
Longford
Ne\i' Town
T.
Males
Glebe
Oatlands
L.
H. Kooke
Oatlands
Patersonia and St.
A.
R. Cooper
Patersonia
Leonards
Penguin
C
H. Harris
Penguin
Port Cygnet
B
J. A. Harris
Lovett
Portland .
P.
C
Largan
A. Wicks
St. Helens
Lottah
Queenstown
C.
E. Tomkinson
(Queenstown
Richmond
.1
F. Dore
Richmond
\
w
. C. Gaudy
Derby cv Moorina
Ringarooma -,
A.
H. Jones
Ringarooma
f
A.
Brown
Gladstone
Scottsdale
J.
Donohue
Scottsdale
Sorell
J.
Carr
Sorell
Spring Bay
\\
Woodorth
Triabunna
Strahan
R.
Tiiompson
Strahan
Zeehan
A
J. Levett
Dundas
Table Cape
W
H. Stewart
Wynyard
Tasman
A.
Cole
Premaydena
Waratah
A.
Court
Waratah
Westbury
J.
Dwan
Westbury
Zeehan
J.
Lonergan
Zeehan
Krsrt»fnrr. tjusturss, ana lOrrupatton itirrncfs.
Officers Authorised to issue Residence, Business
and Occupation Licences under " The Crown-
Lands Act, 1911."
Town.
Mr
J.
W. Waterman
Mi-
A.
J. Harris
Mr
F.
H. Archer
Mr
W
C. Gandy
Mr
A.
J. Levett
Mr
H
P. Hynee
Mr
J.
H. Wilkes
Beaconsfield
Bnrnie
Cape Barren Island ...
Derby
Dundas
Fingai
Gladstone
Hobart
Launcftston
Lottah
Lefroy
Linda
Mathinna
Moorina
Mount Balfour
Patersonia
Queenstown
Ringarooma (Mr. A. H. Jones
Sheffield I Mr. T. Gillam
Stanley Mr. A. W. Eyles
Strahan Mr. R. J. Thompson
Scottsdale Mr. J. Donohue
St. Helens Mr. P. Largan
Name.
Mr. W. N. Hurst
Mr. T. Garrard
Mr. C. A. Wicks
Mr. M. Mackey
Mr. G. A. Bradley
Mr. R. S. Kelly
Mr. F. E. Bomford
Mr. L. R. Knibbs
Mr. A. R. Cooper
Mr. J. Can-
St. Marys ...
Ulverstone ...
Waratah
Wynyard
Zeohan
Mr. W. L. Shegog
Mr. W. C. Longman
Mr. H. C. Court
Mr. W. H. Stewart
A. J. Levett
CROWN LANDS GUIDE.
ADMINISTRATION.
The Minister of Lands controls the Departments of Lands and
Surveys, Public Works, and Agriculture. Of these three Depart-
ments the Public Works Department deals with the expenditure of
moneys voted by Parliament for the construction of Public Works,
or arising from the Road Fund provided for under Part XIII. of
" The Crown Lands Act." The Department of Lands and Surveys
is under the supervision of the Secretary for Lands, who is also
Surveyor-General ; it controls all business connected with the sale,
leasing, or disposal of Crown lands, and all public surveys.
To facilitate the despatch of business the heads of the various
Departments pay periodical visits to Launceston and other
important centres.
LANDS AND SURVEYS.
The business of the Department of Lands and Surveys is trans-
acted by virtue of " The Crown Lands Act, 1911," and previous
Land Acts.
For the convenience of survey operations, the State is divided
into 16 survey districts. The names and addresses of the district
surveyors are given in the list of officers attached to the Depart-
ment (vide p. 2).
The district surveyors will always be prepared to give informa-
tion to intending selectors without charge, unless the selector should
wish the surveyor to personally visit the land before an application
is made.
Digest of " Crown Lands Act " at present tn Operation.
Lands of the Crown are defined to be any lands in the State
which are or may become vested in the Crown, and have not been
and are not dedicated to some public use.
The Governor in Council, if he thinks fit, may, by Proclamation,
withhold or withdraw from selection, sale, or leasing, any lands of
the Crown.
The Governor in Council may make, alter, or amend Regulations
under " The Crown Lands Act," such Regulations to be published
in the " Gazette."
The Minister of Lands for the time being is the Commissioner
for the disposal of lands of the Crown, and has the power of mak-
ing all contracts, leases, or licences, and in such capacity may sue
or be sued.
The Governor may, from time to time, appoint a Surveyor-
General, who shall also be Secretary for Lands, and shall have the
direction and conduct of all surveys for any public purposes,
whether under this or any other Act, and shall perform such duties
as may be assigned to him by the Commissioner.
The Governor may from time to time appoint a Conservator of
Forests, who shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him
by the Commissioner.
Classification of Lands. (Part I.)
Lands are divided into two classes under " The Crown Lands Act,
1911," as follows : —
i. Town lands, comprising all lands situate within any city,
and all lands within a distance of 5 miles from the
nearest point of any part of the boundaries of any city,
and all lands situate within the boundaries of any
town :
ii. Rural lands, comprising
(a) First-class agricultural lands.
(t>) Second-class lands.
(V) Third-class lands.
The Commissioner may decline to enter into a contract or refuse
any application for the sale and purchase of any Crown land in any
case in which the land selected or applied for is considered to be
auriferous or to contain minerals, or which, in the opinion of the
Commissioner, is likely to be required as a Timber Reserve, or for
obtaining timber therefrom for sawmilling purposes, or where the
cost of providing a road is excessive, or for any other special
reason.
The Governor in Council may, by Proclamation in the
" Gazette," except from sale and reserve to His Majesty such land
as he sees fit for the preservation and growth of timber.
The Commissioner may from time to time issue to any person
a lease of Crown land for the purpose of obtaining timber there-
from for sawmilling purposes.
Every such lease shall be issued in respect of an area not exceed-
ing 1500 acres to any such person for any term not exceeding 21
years, and shall be subject to such regulations, conditions, and
stipulations as may from time to time be prescribed ; but no lease
shall be granted of a greater area than 100 acres for the taking
of timber within 5 miles of any town situated in any mining field.
Reserves fob Public Purposes. (Part I.)
The Governor in Council may, by Proclamation in the "Gazette, '
except from sale and lease and reserve to His Majesty such land as
may be required for —
i. Public roads or streets, or other internal communications,
whether by land or water :
ii. Military or defence purposes:
in. Sites for the erection of public libraries, public halls,
museums, literary or scientific institutions, hospitals or
almshouses for aged or infirm poor, or places for the
interment of the dead :
iv. Sites for public wharves or quays, breakwater-, or land-
ing-places :
v. Sites for trigonometrical stations or for other purposes
connected with the survey of the State:
vi. Places for purposes of public recreation and amusement :
vu. The preservation of water-supply:
vi ii- Irrigation works, dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, water-
courses, drains, sewers, or other works:
ix. Sanctuaries for birds, or for acclimatisation purposes:
x. The preservation of game or fauna or flora, either native
or imported :
xi. Any purpose of public safetv, convenience, health, Or
enjoyment :
xii. For any other public purpose that he may think fit,
whether similar to anv of those above mentioned or not.
Any lands so excepted from sale, and reserved to His Majesty,
may be subsequently vested in any person or body of persons, cor-
porate or incorporate, subject to such conditions, reservations,
exceptions, and limitations as the Governor in Council shall see
fit to impose.
The Governor may, by notice in the " Gazette," except from sale
and reserve as a school allotment any portion of the lands of
the Crown, wherever situate, not exceeding 5 acres in extent ;
and upon such land being occupied for educational purposes the
same may be vested in the Minister of Education, as provided in
this Act.
It shall not be lawful for the Governor to except from sale and
reserve to His Majesty, or to dispose of, except by sale under this
Act, any Crown lands as sites of places for public worship or for
any other religious purposes. Any lands wdiich have before the
17th day of September, 1868, been reserved for sites of places of
public worship of any religious denomination may be granted.
In every town that may be surveyed and subdivided for sale,
before any lots are put up for auction the Commissioner may
except from sale any area not exceeding 20 acres of land for recrea-
tion purposes, in one or more blocks, and such other blocks for such
other public purposes as he may deem necessary in accordance with
the provisions of " The Crown Lands Act."
When any land has been reserved for streets, roads, <fec, and
not used bv the public, or is no longer required, the Governor in
Council may revoke such reservations, and may sell such land.
Selection and Purchase of Land. (Part II.)
Any person of the age of 18 years or upwards may, subject to
the provisions of this Act, select and purchase under this Act —
i. At the price and upon the terms set forth in the Schedule
(2), one lot of first-class land, not exceeding 200 acres nor
less than 15 acres, provided such person is not then the
holder upon credit of any land classified as first-class
land (under this or any Act relating to the sale of
Crown lands) or any unclassified rural land for which
t he whole of the purchase-money has not been paid :
£ s. d.
Purchase-price LOO 0 U
Add one-third for credit 33 6 8
Purchase-monev £133 (5 8
Schedule (2).
Cash at time of purchase
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
4th year
5th year
6th year
7th year
8th yea r
9th year
10th yea r
11th year ..
12th year
13th year
14th year
15th year
16th year
17tli vear
18th vear
and in like proportion for any greater or smaller
amount of purchase-money
£
s.
d.
0
16
8
1
5
U
1
5
0
5
0
0
5
0
0
5
0
u
5
0
0
7
10
u
7
10
0
1
10
0
7
10
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
1)
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
u
L0
0
0
£133
6
8
10
ii. At the value per acre, to be fixed by the Surveyor-General
iu the prescribed manner, and upon the terms set forth
in Subsection (2) of this section, one lot of second-class
land, not exceeding 300 acres nor less than 30 acres,
provided such person is not then the holder upon credit
of any land classified as second-class land, under this
Act or any Act relating to the sale of Crown lands) for
which the whole of the purchase-money has not been
paid :
in. At the value per acre, to be fixed by the Surveyor-General
in the prescribed manner, and upon the terms set forth
in Subsection (2) of this section, one lot of third-class
land, not exceeding 600 acres nor less than 60 acres,
provided such person is not then the holder upon credit
of any land classified as third-class land (under this
Act or any Act relating to the sale of Crown lands) for
which the whole of the purchase-money has not been
paid.
Upon the sale of any second-class or third-class land purchased
under this section the terms of purchase shall be as follows : — A
sum equal to one-third of the price shall be added thereto by way
of premium for allowance of credit, and the amount of the price,
and the premium shall become the purchase-money of the land, and
the purchaser shall pay a deposit of one-fortieth part of the pur-
chase-money at the time of sale, and shall contract to pay, and
shall pay, the residue of the purchase-money by 14 annual instal-
ments, of which each of the first two instalments shall equal in
amount one-twenty-sixth part of such residue, and each of the
remaining instalments shall equal in amount one-thirteenth part of
such residue, in the manner set forth in the example in Schedule
(3) ; the first instalment to be paid at the expiration of one year
from the time of sale.
Note. — Provided that no Crown land within the area and during
the currency of a pastoral lease shall be sold at a less price than Ten
Shillings per acre.
Schedule (3).
Showing the proportion in -which the payments for second-class land
are distributed :—
£ s. d.
100 acres at 10s. per acre 5U U U
Add one-third for credit 16 13 4
Purchase-money £66 13 4
£ s. d.
"Cash at time of purchase .. .V, pur. money 1 13 4
1st year * residue 2 10 0
2nd vear . ' .. 2 10 0
3rd year ^ ,. 5 0 U
£
s.
(1.
o
U
u
5
0
0
5
0
o
5
u
u
5
u
0
5
u
u
5
u
u
o
u
0
o
u
1)
5
u
I)
5
u
0
£66
13
4
11
4th year ,', residue
5th year ,,
6th year
7th year
8th year
9th year
10th year
11th year
12th year
13th year
14th Year
and in like proportion for any greater or smaller area
than 100 acres.
Any person of the age of 18 years and upwards, not disqualified,
may select and purchase, at the price and upon the terms set forth
in the next schedule, one lot of third-class land not exceeding 600
acres nor less than 60 acres.
Where any third-class land, being less than 60 acres in area, and
not contiguous or adjacent to any other Crown land, is so situated
as to make it desirable in the opinion of the Commissioner of
Crown Lands that the same should be sold, he may cause the same
to be sold as and according to the payments in which third-class
land is sold.
Schedule.
Showing how the payments For third-class land are distributed: —
£ s. d.
100 acres at 5s. per acre 25 0 0
Add one-third for credit 8 6 8
Purchase-money £33 t> 8
£ s. d.
Cash at time of purchase .... +V, pur. money 0 16 8
1st year £§ residue 1 5 0
2nd year .tV .. 1 5 0
3rd Vear T\ .. 2 10 0
4th Vear .. 2 10 0
5th vear .. 2 10 0
6th Vear .. 2 10 0
7th vear .. 2 10 0
8th vear .. 2 10 0
9th Vear .. 2 10 0
10th vear „ 2 10 0
11th Vear „ 2 10 0
12th vear .. 2 10 0
13th vear ., 2 10 0
14th vea .. 2 10 0
£33 6 8
and in like proportion for any greater or smaller area
than 100 acres.
12
Every pei^son who has purchased any land under Part II. may
make a further purchase, provided that the total area held by
him by virtue of such purpose does not exceed, in the case of — -
first-class agricultural land, 200 acres; of second-class land, 30U
acres; and of third-class land, 600 acres nor consist of more uian
three lots: and if such lots adjoins the total frontage on any road
or stream shall not exceed the maximum frontage that would be
allowed if the selections had been made in one lot.
Additional selections shall be subject to all the conditions of
original selections.
Homestead Areas.
Any person of the age of 18 years or upwards, who is not the
holder on credit of any land purchased under this or any previous
Act may select and purchase, at the price and upon the terms set
forth in the Schedule (4), one lot of first-class agricultural land not
exceeding 50 acres nor less than 15 acres, and upon the Commis-
sioner notifying him that the land is available, and can be pur-
chased in accordance with his application, shall be entitled to
receive a certificate in the form prescribed ; and such certificate
shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, authorise the person
obtaining it to enter upon and take possession of the land described
therein, and to hold possession of, occupy, and improve such land
to the exclusion of any other person or persons whomsoever, and
to bring and maintain actions for trespass committed thereon.
£ s. d.
50 acres at £1 per acre 50 0 0
Add one-third for credit 16 13 4
Purchase-money £66 13 4
Schedule (4).
s. d. £ s. d.
Cash at time of purchase 0 2 per acre 0 8 4
1st year ... Mil.
2nd year ... Nil.
3rd year ... Nil.
4th year 0 10 per acre 2 1 8
5th year 0 10 ,, 2 18
6th vear 0 10 „ 2 18
7th 'year 2 0,, 5 0 0
8th year 2 0 ,, 5 0 0
9th year 2 0 „ 5 0 0
10th vear 2 0 „ 5 0 0
11th year 2 0 „ 5 0 0
12th year 2 0,, 5 0 0
13th year 2 0,, 5 0 0
14th year 2 0 „ 5 0 0
15th year 2 0 ,, 5 0 0
16th year 2 0,, 5 0 0
17th year 2 0,, 5 0 0
18th year 2 0,, 5 0 0
£66 13 4
and in like proportion for any smaller area than 50 acres.
14
Every person who has purchased land under the last preceding
section shall, within four years from the date of the certificate
mentioned in the last preceding section, take, in his own person,
possession of the land, and personally occupy the same ; and if pos-
session be not taken as aforesaid, the Commissioner may cancel the
certificate mentioned in the last preceding section, and thereupon
the land shall, without any further proceedings, be absolutely for-
feited and open to application by another person, or to other dis-
position, in the discretion of the Commissioner.
In cases of illness vouched for by sufficient evidence to the satis-
faction of the Commissioner, or in other special cases, the Commis-
sioner may, in his discretion, by writing under his hand, grant per-
mission to the selector to be absent from his land, without prejudice
to his right therein, for such period as the Commissioner shall
specify in such written permission.
The purchaser of any land under Section 27 of this Act shall
occupy such land for the full term of five years, and shall during
such term of five years effect substantial improvements on such
land to the value of One Pound per acre of the whole of the land;
otherwise such land, together with all improvements thereon, shall
be liable to be forfeited to the Crown.
Mining Areas.
The Governor may —
i. Proclaim any Crown land a mining area:
ii. Alter or revoke the proclamation of any mining area.
Crown land situate within any mining area shall be sold or dis-
posed under and be subject to the provisions of this part.
Provided, however, that any land within a mining area shall be
subject nevertheless to all the provisions of " The Mining Act,
1905," and shall be available for all the purposes of such Act.
Any person of the age of 18 years or upwards may select and
purchase, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, one lot
of first-class land within any mining area, not exceeding 100 acres,
at a price to be fixed by the Surveyor-General in the prescribed
manner : Provided that when any such Crown land within any
mining area is within a distance of 1 mile from the nearest point
in the boundary of any town, such land may be selected and pur-
chased in lots of not less than 10 nor more than 20 acres.
Crown lands within any mining area not purchased under the
provisions of the immediately preceding section may be sold by the
Commissioner by public auction, and if offered for sale by auction
and not sold, then by private contract, in the manner provided by
Part V. of this Act.
No land within a distance of 1 mile from the nearest point in
the boundary of any town shall be sold under this section as second-
class land-
15
All such land shall, previously to being submitted to public
auction, be surveyed in lots of not more than 100 acres, and, in the
case of first-class lands, of not less than 10 acres, and, in the cass
of second-class lands, of not less than 30 acres, and, in the case of
third-class lands, of not less than 50 acres.
The upset price of land submitted to auction in any mining area
shall be fixed by the Governor, and in the case of first-class land
shall not be less than One Pound per acre, and in the case of
second-class land shall not be less than Ten Shillings per acre, and
in the case of third-class land shall not be less than Five Shillings
per acre.
Any first-class land purchased under the provisions of this Act
within any mining area shall be occupied by the selector or pur-
chaser thereof, or by some member of his family, or someone
employed by him or in his behalf, for at least three years before a
grant shall be issued therefor, and in default of being so occupied
such land shall be liable to be forfeited to the Crown. Such occu-
pation shall be commenced within two years after the date of the
contract of sale and purchase.
The Governor may, on the recommendation of the Surveyor-
General, reserve from sale, by notice, any area outside of and
adjoining any town boundary as a firewood reserve for the use of
the inhabitants of the town. Such firewood shall only be cut under
the authority of the Commissioner.
Under "The Mining Act Amendment Act, 1911," gold and
silver on or below the surface of all land in the State, whether
alienated or not alienated, are the property of the Crown, unless
the grant expressly includes them. All other minerals on or below
the surface of all land in Tasmania which was not alienated from
the Crown before the 14th of November, 1893, are the property
of the Crown. By Section 344 of " The Mining Act Amendment
Act, 1911," machinery is provided whereby persons may make an
application to the local wardens for a permit to enter upon private
land for the purpose of mining upon certain conditions. Sections
350 and 351 provide machinery for arriving at the compensation
which the owner will be entitled to receive for loss of the surface,
severance, &c.
All lands selected or alienated under the provisions of this or any
previous Act may be resumed for all or any of the purposes
included in the term " mining purposes" as defined by "The
Mining Act, 1905," by His Majesty on paving compensation to
the selector, grantee, or purchaser thereof for the value, other than
that of gold or other metals or minerals contained in such land, of
the lands and improvements so resumed in the manner prescribed
by "The Lands Resumption Act, 1910."
All lands of the Crown which are sold or in any manner alienated
from the Crown, or in respect of which a lease or licence to hold or
occupy the same for other than the purposes of mining, or winning,
16
getting, or working metals or minerals is issued, shall be sold or
otherwise alienated, leased, or licensed as aforesaid only as regards
the surface, and down to such depth below the surface, being not
less than 50 feet, as the Governor may by any order-in-council
direct.
Survey of Land selected for Purchase. (Part III.)
When a selection of first-class land is approved by the Commis-
sioner the applicant must pay the expense of surveying such land
in the following manner : — To the amount of the prescribed survey
fee a sum of Two Shillings and Sixpence in the Pound sterling (or
part thereof) shall be added by way of interest, and the applicant
shall pay one-fifth of the whole amount upon demand, and the
balance by four equal annual instalments.
Example.
£ s. d.
Survey fee for 100 acres il 0 U
Interest at 2s. 6d. in the Pound 17b
£12 7 6
Repayments.
£ s. d.
One-fifth on demand 2 9 b
1st year 2 9 b
2nd year 2 9 b
3rd vear 2 9b
4th year 2 9b
£12 7 6
and in like proportion for any greater or smaller
amount of survey fee.
Applicants for second and third class land must pay survey fees
in cash within 30 days of demand.
The first annual payment must be made one vear after the date
of the sale and purchase of the land.
A purchaser may at any time before forfeiture of the land pay
off the balance of survey fee% and in every case a deduction shall
be allowed in the sum added by way of interest proportionate to
the amount then due.
The non-payment of any part of survey fee shall have the same
operation upon the rights and privileges of the purchaser as failure
to pay an instalment of the purchase-money, and any portion of
survey fee remaining unpaid after the same has become due may
be recovered as a debt due to the Crown.
On payment of one-fifth of the survey fee the Commissioner
shall cause the land to be surveyed, but the payment of the whole
or part of such survey fee shall not confer upon the applicant any
estate or interest in such land or any title thereto.
~7 - '
18
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22
Contracts. (Part II.)
The Commissioner and the applicant for any land for purchase
upon credit shall, after survey, mutually enter into contract for the
sale and purchase of the land, at the price and upon the terms, and
subject to the conditions contained in the Act.
No person shall become the purchaser of any Crown land who
is in respect of such land a servant of, or an agent or trustee
for any other person, or who, at the time of his application, has
entered into any agreement to permit any other person to purchase
any such land, or any part thereof; and all contracts, agreements,
and securities made, entered into, and given with the intent of
evading the provisions of this section, shall be illegal ; and if any
person shall (in evasion of the provisions of this section) become
the purchaser of any land, all the right, title, and interest of the
purchaser, and all moneys paid in respect of such land, and the
land itself, with all improvements thereon, shall be absolutely for-
feited, and the said land shall again become Crown land.
Any person who shall enter into a contract or agreement declared
to be illegal shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and on conviction
be liable to be fined in any sum not exceeding One hundred Pounds,
or to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding Two years.
No application to select and purchase land shall be received from,
or in the name of, or on behalf of, any person under the age of
18 years, and every applicant shall state in his application that he
is of the age of 18 years or upwards.
Every purchaser of Crown land between the ages of 18 and 21
years shall be subject to the same liabilities and have the same
rights under this Act as if he were of the full age of 21 years.
Sale by Auction. (Part V.)
The following Crown lands may be sold by public auction: — All
rural lands not excepted from sale under this Act, and all town
lands.
The lowest upset price of Crown land offered for sale by auction
is One Pound per acre for first-class agricultural land, Ten Shill-
ings per acre for second-class land, and Five Shillings per acre for
third-class land.
All lands to be offered by auction must be surveyed and deline-
ated in the public charts of the State before being offered for sale
The area of any lot of rural land put up for sale by auction
must not exceed 200 acres of first-class agricultural land, 300 acres
of second-class land, or 600 acres of third-class land.
No land shall be sold at auction within a mining area as
second-class land within a distance of 1 mile from the nearest point
in the boundary of any town, and no land shall be sold as third-
class land within any mining area.
23
No person under the age of 18 years shall be entitled to pur-
chase any land at auction, nor shall any person hold on credit at
any one time more than 200 acres of first-class agricultural land,
300 acres of second-class land, or 600 acres of third-class land.
The highest bidder at auction becomes liable for the payment of
deposit, and if such person shall fail to pay the amount necessary
under such bid on the day of sale, such person shall be guilty of
a breach of agreement under this Act, and shall forfeit and pay a
penalty of double the amount of the deposit in respect of which
default has been made.
Auction sales are held during the months of April and October
in each year at Hobart, Launceston, Latrobe, Scottsdale, Derby,
St. Helens; Ulverstone, Burnie, Deloraiue, Smithton, Stanley, Zee-
han, Strahan, Queenstown, Flinders Island, and King Island, and
at such other places as the Commissioner may appoint.
Sales by Private Contract.
If after a sale by auction any lots remain unsold, the Com-
missioner, within 21 days, causes a list of such lots to be prepared,
and a notice published in the " Gazette " to the effect that 14 days
after the date of notice, the lands included in such list may be
sold by private contract, at the upset prices therein specified ; and
such lands will be sold to the first applicant ; but if more than one
application be received for the same lot at the same time, the lot
must again be put up for auction.
Applications to purchase lands under private contract must be
made within one year after the lands were last put up for sale by
auction, and before the publication cf any subsequent notice of sale
thereof by auction.
The terms of payment for lands sold by private contract are
exactly the same as the terms of payment for lands sold by auction.
No lands within 5 miles of the cities of Hobart and Launceston
may be sold bv private contract.
Terms of Purchase at Auction.
Town Lands.
Upon the sale of any town lands, the purchaser may pav the
purchase-money in cash, or if at the time of sale such purchaser
declares that he is desirous of being allowed credit, credit shall bs
allowed upon the terms hereinafter mentioned : but no town land
shall be sold on credit where the price is less than Fifteen Pounds.
The terms of credit for town lands purchased at auction or by
private contract shall be as follows: A sum equal to one-third of
the price shall be added by way of premium for the allowance of
credit, -and the amount of the price and the premium together
becomes the purchase-money of the land ; the purchaser pavs a
24
deposit of one-fourteenth of the purchase-money at the time of the
sale, and the residue of the purchase-money is paid by 13 annual
insta1ments of one-fourteenth of the purchase-money, the first
instalment to be paid at the expiration of one year from the time
of sale.
Example of the mode of Payment where (Jredtt is
taken for a Town Lot bought for £21.
£ s. d.
Sale price 21 0 0
Credit premium, being one-third of sale
price i 0 0
Purchase-price £28 0 U
£ s. d.
l-14th deposit to he paid at the time of
sale '2, U U
Leaving to he paid in 13 annual instal-
ments of £2 each 26 0 U
£28 0 U
No purchaser of town land upon credit shall be entitled to pay
off the balance remaining unpaid of the purchase-money, nor shah
a grant deed be issued for the land, until the purchaser has made
substantial improvements upon the land to the value of a sum equal
to the purchase-monev contracted to be paid for such land.
First-class Agricultural Land.
Upon the sale of any first-class agricultural land, whether by
auction or by private contract, the terms of purchase shall be as
follows: — A sum equal to one-third of the price shall be added by
way of premium for allowance of credit, and the amount of the
price and premium becomes the purchase-money of the land, and
the purchaser pays a deposit of one-fortieth of the purchase-money
at the time of sale, and the residue of the purchase-money is pay-
able by 14 annual instalments, as set forth in Schedule (6), the
first instalment being due at the expiration of one year from the
date of sale.
Schedule (6).
£ s. d.
100 acres at £1 per acre 100 0 0
Add one-third for credit 33 6' 8
Purchase-money .. £133 6 8
£ s. d.
Cash at time of purchase — One fortieth of
purchase-monev 3 b' 8
1st vear '. 9 5 8
25
£
s.
d.
9
5
8
i)
5
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
y
0
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
y
5
8
V)
6
4
£133
6
8
2nd year
3rd year
4th year
5th year
6th year
7th yea r
8th year
yth year
10th year
11th year
12th year
13th year
14th vear
and in like proportion tor any greater or smaller
amount of purchase-money.
Second-class I. and .
iJpon the sale of any second-class land, whether by auction or
private contract, the terms of the purchase are as follows: — A sum
equal to one-third of the price is added by way of premium for
allowance of credit, and the amount of the price and premium
becomes the purchase-money of the land, and the purchaser pays
a deposit of one-fortieth of the purchase-money at the time of sale,
and the remainder of the purchase-money by 14 annual instalments^
as is set forth in Schedule (7) ; the first instalment is to be paid at
the expiration of one year from the time of sale.
Schedule (7).
£ s. d.
100 acres at 10s. per acre 50 0 0
Add one-third for credit 16 13 4
Purchase-money t-'b0 13 4
£ s. d.
Cash at time of purchase — One-fortieth of
purchase price 1 13 4
1st vear 4 12 10
2nd year 4 12 10
3rd vear 4 12 10
4th vear 4 12 10
5th 'vear 4 12 10
6th year 4 12 10
7th vear i 12 10
8th Vear 4 12 10
yth year 4 12 10
10th year 4 12 10
11th year 4 12 10
12th Vear 4 12 10
26
£ s. d.
13th year 4 12 10
14th year 4 13 2
£66 13 4
and in like proportion for any greater or smaller
amount of purchase-money.
Third-class Land.
Upon the sale of any third-class land, whether by auction or
private contract, the terms of purchase are as follows: — A sum
equal to one-third of the price is added by way of premium for
allowance of credit, and the amount of the price and premium
becomes the purchase-money of the land, and the purchaser pays a
deposit of one-fortieth of the purchase-money at the time of sale,
and the balance of the purchase money by 14 annual instalments,
in accordance with Schedule (8) ; the first instalment to be paid at
the expiration of one year from the date of sale.
Schedule (8).
£ s. d.
100 acres at 5s. per acre 25 0 0
Add one-third for credit 8 6 8
Purchase-money £33 6 8
£ s. d.
Cash at time of purchase — One-fortieth of
purchase-price 0 16 8
1st year 2 6 5
2nd year 2 6 5
3rd year 2 6 5
4th year 2 6 5
5th year 2 6 5
6th year 2 6 5
7th year 2 6 5
Sth year 2 6 5
9th year 2 6 5
10th vear 2 6 5
11th vear 2 6 5
12th vear 2 6 5.
13th vear 2 6 5
14th vear 2 6 7
£33 6 8
and in like proportion for any greater or smaller
amount of purchase-money.
LAKE SORELL.
Conditions of Purchase (Part IX.)
Improvements on Rural Lands.
At the expiration of one year from the date of the contract of
sale and purchase of any first-class agricultural land, the pur-
chaser shall begin to effect substantial improvements on the land
purchased by him, and shall continue in each year during eight
consecutive years thereafter to effect substantial improvements on
such land of the value of not less than Two Shillings and Sixpence
per acre for every acre of the land purchased by him ; and in
default such land shall be forfeited to the Crown ; but if he has
expended more than Two Shillings and Sixpence per acre in any
year shall be entitled to credit against his liability in any subse-
quent year for such extra expenditure ; the total amount to be
expended need not exceed the sum of One Pound per acre.
Before the expiration of one year from the date of contract of
sale and purchase of any second or third-class land, the purchaser
of such land shall begin to effect substantial improvements thereon,
and shall continue in each year during the five consecutive years
thereafter to effect substantial improvements on such land of the
value of One Shilling for every acre thereof ; and in default of
making such improvements such land shall be liable to be forfeited
to the Crown : Provided that every purchaser having expended
more than One Shilling per acre in any year shall be entitled to
credit against his liability in any subsequent year for such extra
expenditure ; and the total amount so to be expended in such
improvements need not exceed Five Shillings for every acre of such
land.
Residence on First-class Rural Lands.
All first-class rural lands purchased under " The Crown Lands
Act " shall be occupied by the purchaser thereof, or by some
member of his family, or by some one employed by him on hia
behalf, by habitually residing on such land for at least five years
before a grant be issued therefor, and in default of being so
occupied, such land shall be liable to be forfeited to the Crown.
Such term of five years shall commence to run four years after the
date of contract of sale and purchase, and shall be continuous.
Sale of Land in Mining Towns. (Part VII.)
The Commissioner may sell by public auction the surface of any
Crown land occupied as a residence area or as a business area.
Any person being the holder of a residence licence or business
licence, who shall be in lawful occupation of any residence area
or business area, and who shall be the owner of buildings and per-
manent improvements upon the land of a value equal to or greater
than the upset price thereof, shall be entitled to purchase at the
29
upset price at any time prior to the day on which such area is to be
offered for sale, as advertised. The upset price shall not be less
than Ten Pounds, exclusive of the value of improvements, cost of
survey, and of grant deed.
No person is entitled to purchase or occupy as a residence area
or business area any portion of a public highway or road or street,
or any land reserved for public purposes.
One-half of all purchase-money received for land sold under this
Part of this Act shall be set apart from time to time and paid into
a special account in the Treasury, for the purpose of constructing
roads, streets, bridges, drains, sewers, or waterways, or for sanitary
or other purposes, in the town where the land so sold is situated,
or in the vicinity if not within a town.
Discount allowed for Prepayment of Instalments.
A purchaser of any rural land upon credit may pay off the bal-
ance under the contract of sale ; and in every such case a deduc-
tion is made proportionate to the then unexpired period of credit :
hut the purchaser of any rural land upon credit cannot pay off
the balance until he has made substantial improvements upon
such land to the value of a sum equal to the price of the land if
first-class agricultural land, or a sum equal to one-half of the
price if second-class land, or a sum equal to one-fourth of the
price if third-class land, and has complied with the conditions of
residence.
Default in Payment of Purchase-money.
The Commissioner may cancel any contract for the sale and pur-
chase of any Crown land held upon credit, upon receiving a written
request so to do from the purchaser, signed and attested before a
justice of the peace, and on payment of all arrears of purchase-
money and interest thereon at the rate of Five Pounds per centum
per annum.
In every such ease the Commissioner, by notice published in the
" Gazette." notifies that such contract has been cancelled, where-
upon all moneys paid in respect of the purchase of the land become
forfeited, and the land is freed from the contract of sale, and
reverts to the Crown, and becomes disposable as Crown land.
Areas for Special Settlement.
If the Surveyor-General at any time reports to the Commissioner
that there exists an area of rural land, not being less than 1000
acres in extent, which in his opinion is first-class land suitable for
agriculture, horticulture, or dairy fanning purposes, the Commis-
sioner may withdraw from selection under the provisions of this
30
Act such area, and such further area of inferior land adjoining or
contiguous to such area as he may think desirable for the purposes
of this part.
The Commissioner may expend such moneys as may be required
for all or any of the following purposes: —
l. For subdividing the withdrawn area into blocks suitable
for the purposes of this part, and for surveying such
blocks :
II. For cutting tracks, surveying, and constructing roads or
tramways, to or within the withdrawn area :
in. For fencing, clearing, burning, sowing with grass seed,
and for building houses, or effecting such other
improvements on the withdrawn area, or any portions
thereof, as the Commissioner may think fit.
The Treasurer for the time being of the State may advance to
the Commissioner, out of any moneys for the time being standing
to the credit of the Crown Lands Fund, such moneys as may be
required by the Commissioner for effecting the objects of this part
in respect of any withdrawn area, and moneys so advanced shall be
repaid in the manner hereinafter appearing.
After the withdrawn area has been subdivided into suitable
blocks, and such blocks surveyed and classified as provided by this
Act, and the said roads have been wholly or in part constructed,
the Commissioner may submit for sale by auction, in the manner
provided in Part V. of this Act, the blocks so surveyed : Pro-
vided, nevertheless, that any of the blocks without having been
submitted for sale by auction —
t. May be declared by the Commissioner by notice in the
Gazette " to be open: or
ii. May be reserved by the Commissioner for bona fide
immigrants into the State to the extent of One block in
every Six —
for purchase by private contract at such price as the Commissioner
may think fit, upon the terms set out in Schedule (2).
All moneys received by the Commissioner in respect of the
purchase-money of the said blocks so sold as aforesaid shall be
immediately paid by the Commissioner to the Treasurer, in or
towards repayment of the moneys so advanced by the Treasurer as
aforesaid, until the whole of the moneys so advanced in respect of
any withdrawn area are repaid, and any balance in respect of
such purchase-money shall form part of the Consolidated .Revenue.
The provisions of Sections One hundred and fifty-one to One
hundred and fifty-three inclusive of this Act shall not apply to any
lands included in, or that may have been included in, any area
withdrawn and dealt with under this part.
32
Forfeitures.
Section 164 of " The Crown Lands Act, 1911," provides that
in every case where land selected or purchased is declared to be
liable to forfeiture to the Crown for any cause other than failure
to pay any instalment or part of any purchase-money, the provi-
sions of this section shall apply.
No forfeiture in any such case shall be declared until after a
notice in writing of the intention of the Commissioner to have the
land declared forfeited has been served on the purchaser, either
personally or by posting it addressed to him at the holding.
The notice shall specify the alleged cause of forfeiture, and shall
call upon the purchaser to show cause against the forfeiture before
a judge of the Supreme Court within sixty days from the service
of the notice.
Any person feeling aggrieved and disputing the forfeiture may,
within the time specified in the said notice, appeal by summons to
a judge of the Supreme Court, otherwise the Commissioner may
proceed with the forfeiture.
A judge of the Supreme Court sitting in chambers is hereby
empowered to hear and summarily determine and settle any dis-
pute concerning the liability to forfeiture : and the decision of such
judge shall be final.
The judge may make such order as he may deem to be just and
the circumstances of the case shall require ; and may make such
order as to costs as he may think fit-
It shall be lawful for the judges of the said Court to make such
rules from time to time as they see fit for regulating the mode of
deciding any such dispute, and for prescribing the forms to be
used.
If no appeal is made as aforesaid, or if upon appeal the lia-
bility to forfeiture is confirmed by the judge, the Commissioner
may cancel the purchase in question, and may thereupon insert
a notice in the " Gazette " declaring the forfeiture.
In case any grant, contract, lease, licence, or other agreement
whatsoever under this or any previousi Act becomes void or is
determined, or in case any land granted or disposed of in any
manner under this or any previous Act reverts or becomes forfeited
to the Crown, the land comprised in any such grant, contract,
lease, licence, or agreement, or so forfeited, shall immediately be
disposable under this Act as Crown land ; and the Commissioner,
or any person authorised by him, may. with the consent of the
Governor, enter upon any such land without suit.
The acceptance by or on behalf of the Crown of any purchase-
money, or part thereof, due with respect to any Crown land, or of
interest on the balance thereof, or of rent or other payment under
any lease or licence, shall not be held to have operated or to operate
hereafter as a waiver by the Crown of any forfeiture accruing by
33
reason of the breach of any condition precedent or subsequent
annexed by law to the estate or interest of a purchaser, lessee, or
licensee.
Where land has been sold upon credit, and any instalment of
the purchase-money is not paid within 60 days after it has become
payable, the Governor, on the application of the Commissioner,
may declare that the land is forfeited to the Crown, and there-
upon the deposit and all instalments previously paid shall be
forfeited, and the land is freed from the contract of sale, and
reverts to the Crown.
Thirty days' notice of the intention of the Commissioner to have
such land declared forfeited has to be given by advertisement in
the " Gazette," and also to the purchaser.
The Commissioner may delay application to the Governor for
forfeiture, and in such case shall charge interest at the rate of One
Penny in the Pound (or part thereof) of the amount of purchase-
money in arrear, for every month (or part thereof) during which
the application for forfeiture has been delayed, commencing from
the date when the payment of the instalment first became due ; but
no purchaser shall be permitted to owe more than two instalments
at any one time.
No town lands shall be forfeited for non-payment of purchase-
money if the purchase-money and interest be paid, together with a
fine of One Pennv for every Pound of the amount of purchase-
money in default, and Five Shillings to cover cost of advertising,
within 30 days from the date of publication of notice of inten-
tion to have such land forfeited.
No rural lands shall be forfeited for non-payment of purchase-
money and interest if the purchaser shall pay the amount of the
purchase-money, together with a fine of One Penny per acre, and
Five Shillings to cover cost of advertising, within 30 days from
the date of the first publication of such notice.
Transfer of Credit Lands. (Part VI.)
No purchaser on credit shall be allowed to transfer his interest
in the land without the written consent of the Commissioner, and
no such purchaser shall be permitted to transfer or assign a por-
tion of the land until the purchase-money in full shall first be paid
in respect of the whole.
Scales of Stamp Duties.
To be affixed to Transfer of Land in addition to the Payment of a
Transfer Fee.
A.— If there is no consideration money paid, the transferee
being entitled in equity as a trustee, &c, the stamp duty to be
affixed shall be to the value of Five Shillings.
0 7
6
0 15
0
1 2
6
1 10
0
1 17
6
2 5
0
2 12
6
3 0
0
3 7
6
34
B. — If the property is a free gift to the transferee, the stamp,
duty shall be in accordance with the following scale: —
£ s. d.
Where the property is valued at £100 or under ... 0 7 6
Where the valuation of such property is —
Over £100 but not exceeding £150 1 15 0
„ £150 „ „ £200 12 6
„ £200 „ „ £250 1 10 0
And so on, adding 7s. 6d. for every additional £50
or fractional part thereof.
C. — When consideration money is paid by the transferee, stamp
duty shall be affixed in accordance with the following scale: —
£ s. d.
Tf the amount paid by the transferee for the pro-
perty does not exceed £100
Above £100 and not exceeding £150
£150 ,, „ £200
£200 „ „ £250
£250 „ „ £300
£300 ,, ,, £350
£350 „ „ £400
£400 „ „ £450
£450 ,, „ £500
And so, adding 7s. 6d. for every additional £50
or fractional part thereof.
Note. — The stamp duty in accordance with the above scales must be
affixed to the transfer in revenue stamps, upon the date of the execu-
tion of the document, and the stamps cancelled by writing such date
thereon ; but if this is impracticable by reason of revenue stamps not
being obtainable at the time, such stamp duty must afterwards be
affixed, and cancelled upon the transfer by a collector of stamp duties
within sixty days from the date of the execution of such transfer, fail-
ing which, a £5 penalty shall be paid to have such transfer legally
stamped thereafter.
Estate in Land.
Every purchaser of Crown lands upon credit shall, subject to the
provisions and conditions of " The Crown Lands Act," have power
to sell or devise, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, or deal with,
his interest in the land as freely as if such interest were an estate
in fee simple.
If a purchaser on credit becomes bankrupt, his interest passes
to his trustee. A purchaser on credit may devise his interest, and
if he dies intestate his interest becomes part of his personal estate
and passes to his representative, who holds the land upon the same
terms as the intestate.
Grant Deed.
Lands are conveyed by grant deed, for which a fee of Fifteen
Shillings is charged- The whole of the purchase-money must first
be paid. Grants are issued in duplicate to the Recorder of Titles.
35
who registers them and deals with them in the manner provided
for by " The Real Property Act." The purchaser in all casea
obtains his copy of grant deed from the Recorder of Titles on pay-
ment of insurance fee of One Farthing in the Pound on the pur-
chase-monev, and a registration fee as follows: —
s. d.
Purchase Grant of £50 and under 5 U
,, over £50 and not exceeding £300... 7 6
over £300 10 0
All lands alienated under " The Crown Lands Act " or any pre-
vious Act are liable to be resumed for mining purposes on payment
of compensation for the value, other than that of gold or other
minerals, of the lands and improvements so resumed.
When the purchase-money in full has been paid, together with
the grant deed fee, if the purchaser wishes the deeds to be made
out in any name other than the party to the contract, the same
can be done by transfer on the prescribed form, and upon payment
of transfer fee of Threepence in the Pound on the purchase-money,
and stamp duty.
When grant deeds are issued from the Crown Lands Office the
purchaser is notified of the fact, and that office is then no longer
responsible therefor.
The grant deed of any Crown land granted after the commence-
ment of this Act shall contain a reservation to the Crown of the
right at all times of making and constructing in or on the said land
such and so many drains, sewers, and waterways for sanitary or
other purposes as may be deemed expedient, and also the right of
altering, amending, cleansing, or repairing such drains, sewers,
and waterways.
The grant deed of any Crown land granted after the commence-
ment of this Act shall not include or convey property in gold,
silver, copper, tin, or other metals, ore, mineral, or other sub-
stances containing metals, or gems or precious stones, or coal or
mineral oil, in or upon such land, the same being reserved by the
Crown.
Leases for Grazing Purposes.
The Commissioner may, with the consent of the Governor, by
notice in the " Gazette," describing with all practicable precision
the extent, locality, and boundaries of the runs to be let, with the
upset rental affixed to each run, offer to sell by public auction, for
any period not exceeding 14 years, to any person bidding the
highest rental for the same, leases of lands of the Crown for graz-
ing purposes, on a day to be named in such notice, not being less
than thirty days after the first publication of the said notice.
The upset annual rent to be paid for every such run shall be
fixed and determined by the Commissioner, having regard to the
class and situation of the land, and the number of sheep or cattle
36
which the Commissioner considers such run to be capable of carry-
ing ; but in no case shall the upset annual rent be fixed at less,
than Five Shillings per hundred acres.
Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, the Commis-
sioner may cause a list of all such lands as may have been exposed
to rental by auction and not disposed of, with the amount of rent
fixed as the upset price for the same respectively, to be gazetted;
with a notice that any person who applies before a day to be named
in such notice to rent any such land by private contract
may receive a lease to occupy the same for grazing purposes at the
rent fixed as the upset price in such notice : Provided that if more
than one application is received (before the time named) to rent
the same run, such run shall not be let by private contract, but
shall be put up for rental by auction as soon thereafter as may be.
Such runs may remain open for rental by private contract for
one year, and at the expiration of that period may be again put
up by auction.
The highest bidder for any run shall be entitled to receive a
lease of the same for grazing purposes for the period fixed, not
exceeding the number of years allowed by this Act, provided he
pays by way of deposit an amount equal to one-half of such annual
rental at the time of such auction. Such deposit shall be credited
to such bidder as rent.
If there is no bidder at such auction the Commissioner may
reduce the amount of rent, and the run may be again exposed to
auction after notice of the same has been given in manner herein-
before provided, and so from time to time until the lease for the
said run is sold.
If and whenever any person liable for the payment of any such
deposit fails to pay the amount thereof on the day on which such
auction is held, such person shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act. and upon conviction shall forfeit and pav a penalty of
double the amount of such deposit in respect of which default has
been made.
Any lessee of Crown land for grazing purposes may, unless the
lease contains a provision to the contrary, fell, for building or fenc-
ing purposes in connection with the demised land, any timber
growing on such land or on any unoccupied Crown land adjacent
thereto.
Every lessee of Crown land for grazing purposes under this or
any previous Act whose rent is not in arrear may determine his
lease bv giving at least six months' notice in writing to the Com-
missioner, on any of the half-yearly days appointed for the pay-
ment of the rent reserved by such lease, of an intention so to do,
and upon payment of the rent for the half-year succeeding such
notice; and upon the expiration of such notice and such payment
the lease shall determine.
Upon the expiration bv effluxion of time of leases of Crown land
for grazing purposes, the Commissioner shall, when offering leases
37
of such lands for sale with the upset rental affixed to each run,
specify the amount which the Commissioner considers the fair and
reasonable value of all improvements erected or constructed upon
the run.
The person who becomes entitled to receive a lease of such land
shall pay in cash at the time of sale to the Commissioner or person
appointed by him, the amount so fixed as the value of such
improvements; and in default of such payment the run shall be
forthwith again put up for auction.
The Commissioner, upon being satisfied by the outgoing lessee
that such improvements or any portion thereof were erected or
constructed by such lessee, or are his property by purchase or
otherwise, may pay to him the whole amount received or so much
thereof as shall represent the value of his improvements, but so
that the sum paid to any such outgoing lessee shall not exceed the
amount received by the Commissioner from the incoming lessee as
hereinbefore provided.
Other Leases.
The Commissioner may, with the consent of the Governor, grant
to any person who is the holder of a temporary licence for any
period not exceeding 14 years, on such terms and conditions
as the Governor sees fit, a special lease, called " a pastoral lease,"
of the land held under such temporary licence : Provided that this
section shall only apply to lands within a mining area, and that
no pastoral lease granted therein shall exceed 500 acres.
The Commissioner may. with the consent of the Governor, lease
to any person for any period not exceeding 21 years, on such terms
and conditions as the Governor sees fit, any Crown land covered
with button-grass, river-grass, or rushes, at a rental which shall
not be less than One Pound Five Shillings for every 1000 acres,
provided that the lessee shall covenant to improve the area leased
to the extent of Two Pounds Ten Shillings per 1000 acres per
year from the date of the lease.
The Commissioner may, with the consent of the Governor, lease
to any person for any period not exceeding 21 years, on such terms
and conditions as the Governor sees fit, any Crown land at an
altitude of not less than 1800 feet, at a rental which shall not be
less than Two Pounds Ten Shillings for every 1000 acres, provided
that the lessee shall covenant to improve the area leased to the
extent of Five Pounds per thousand acres per year from the date of
the lease.
Leases fok other than Pastoral Purposes. (Part X).
The Governor in Council may grant leases for a period not
exceeding 14 years of any land bordering upon a navigable river, or
on the sea, &c, if required for the purpose of constructing, using,
38
or enjoying wharves, jetties, docks, slips, or any other works of
public utility. Xo such lease may interfere with the right of access
to the sea, river, &c, on the part of any neighbouring proprietor,
nor may it injuriously affect the navigation. For whatever pur-
pose the land is leased, the lease may be determined in case of
non-completion of the works, or violation of any conditions under
which the lease was granted.
The Governor in Council may also, under similar conditions,
grant leases for a period not exceeding 14 years, for the right of
constructing watercourses, &c, across any Crown lands; and may
similarly lease any portion of a Crown reserve for the purpose of
erecting or working thereon any manufactory, mill, or such other
work ; but no such lease may tend to the obstruction of any road
or the pollution of any river.
Every such lease shall be liable to forfeiture in case of non-
completion of the works for which the lease was granted.
Leases of Land for Railways, &c.
The Commississioner may lease for any period not exceeding 14
years, to any person applying for the same, any land required
for the purpose of constructing tramways or railways, the Governor
in Council fixing the terms and conditions.
Licences for Occupation of Crown Land. (Part X.)
Licences may be issued for the occupation of Crown lands for
any period not exceeding 12 months from the date of such licence,
on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed-
Occupation of Lands on Mining Fields.
Occupation Licences.
The Commissioner may issue occupation licences to any person
of the full age of 21 years or upwards, upon payment of the fee
ot Five Shillings. The licence shall describe the position and area
of the land ; and no person shall at any time hold more than CDe
occupation licence.
Any person being the holder of such licence shall be entitled
(except as against His Majesty) to take possession of and occupy
during the year current the surface of any Crown land within
any mining field not exceeding one-quarter of an acre.
An occupation licence cannot be transferred, and the holder
thereof is not entitled to any compensation in respect of any
improvements effected on the land, should the same be resumed by
the Ciown. The licence may be determined at any time en a
three months' notice ; but if the licence is within less than three
months of expiration, then the notice may be for the unexpired
period.
40
Residence Licences.
The Commissioner may issue " residence licences " to any person
of the full age of 21 years or upwards, upon payment of the fee
of Ten Shillings. The residence licence shall describe the position
and area of the land to be occupied ; and no person shall at any
time hold more than one residence licence.
Any person who shall be the holder of a residence licence shall
be entitled (except as against His Majesty) to take possession of
and occupy during the year current for residence as a domicile
only the surface of any Crown land, not exceeding one-half of an
acre, within any town situate within a mining field, and which has
been surveyed and been declared to be available for the purpose
of residence.
Business Licences.
The Commissioner may issue " business licences " to any person
of the full age of 21 years or upwards, upon payment of the fee
of Twenty Shillings. Every business licence shall describe the
position and area of the land to be occupied thereunder ; and no
person shall at any time hold more than one business licence.
Any person who shall be the holder of a business licence shall
be entitled (except as against His Majesty) to take possession of
and occupy, for any period not exceeding one year, the surface of
any Crown land situate within any mining field, and exceeding
one-half of an acre, not being within a town.
Residences and business licences may be transferred by endorse-
ment to any person who is eligible.
Occupation, residence, and business licences may be obtained
from the various mining registrars and sub-collectors of revenue,
at the principal mining towns throughout the State. List of
officers authorised to issue such licences will be found on page
4 of this publication.
Construction of Roads and other Public Works. (Part Xlll.)
So soon as 500 acres of first-class land have been purchased
under Parts III., V., or VI-, in not less than five lots adjoining
or within a short distance of each other, the Governor shall, for
the purpose of surveying and making roads, bridges, or drains in
the vicinity of the lands so sold, raise a sum equal to Ten Shillings
per acre for every acre so taken up, by the issue and sale of
debentures chargeable on the Consolidated Revenue; and all the
provisions of the Act 20 Victoriae, No. 9, shall applv to the deben-
tures to be issued in pursuance of this Act.
The Governor is authorised to raise in the same manner a sum
of money not exceeding Five Shillings for every acre of second-
class land sold, and of Two Shillings and Sixpence for every acre of
third-class land sold, for the purpose of making roads, bridges,
41
drains, or such other works as the Governor in Council may
approve of, in the vicinity of the land sold.
As soon as the land has been sold within any town, not within a
mining area, the Governor may, for the purpose of making streets,
roads, or other improvements in the vicinity of the lands so sold,
raise a sum equal to Ten Shillings for every Pound of the value
of such land, by the issue and sale of debentures chargeable to the
Consolidated Revenue Fund.
One-half of all purchase-money received on and after the date
of this Act for land sold or selected under this Act, other than
in any city, and other than for land sold under Part VII. of this
Act, shall be set apart from time to time, and paid into " The
Public Debts Sinking Fund," and shall be applied in manner men-
tioned in " The Public Debts Sinking Fund Act, 1881."
For the purpose of constructing and completing roads, bridges,
tramways, jetties, wharves, drains, and sewers, and for any other
purpose under this Act, it shall be lawful for the Commissioner, or
for such persons or boards as the Governor may appoint, to pur-
chase and take such land as he or they may deem necessary.
Huon Timber Co.'s Tramway. Geeveston.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
TASMANIA.
The geographical position of Tasmania is between the parallels
'of 40° 33 and 43° 39 south latitude, and between the meridians
of 144° 39' and 148° 23' east longitude. It comprises an area of
26,215 square miles, or 16,778,000 acres — including islands — of
which about 6| millions of acres are alienated from the Crown.
(The general features of the country are hilly and broken ; the
(central portion is occupied by an elevated plateau containing the
principal lakes in the island, and from which numerous strong
and permanent rivers take their rise. One portion of this plateau
rises abruptly from elevated land situated from 1500 to 1800 feet
above sea-level to a height of between 2000 and 3000 feet, from
which the principal peaks rise to a maximum height of 5000 feet.
These mountains comprise what are known as the Great Western
Ranges, between which and the eastern mountain system — the
general bearing of which is from north to south — lies the largest
extent of cultivated land in the State, extending from the Upper
Mersey on the west to Ben Lomond and St. Paul's Dome on the
east. Nearly all this country is of basaltic formation, with occa-
sional patches of sandstone and limestone intervening.
Along the North-West Coast the basaltic formation continues,
and several extensive areas of rich agricultural land are to be
found separated from each other by rugged, and for the most part
barren, ranges or chains of hills, trending northwards. Owing to
the numerous rivers intersecting it, and the heavy timber and
dense scrub with which the fertile soil is always encumbered, this
portion of the island has only been opened up during the last
48 years, but no part of Tasmania has made such rapid progress
in population and production. Though less adapted to cereals than
other districts in . Tasmania, the North-West Coast is eminently
suited to potato-culture, and a large export trade has been estab-
lished with the neighbouring States, to which New South Wales
is the principal customer. During the season 1910-11, 70,090 tons
of potatoes were grown in Tasmania.
'In the north-eastern portion of the State, where granite and
Tertiary formations predominate, the areas of agricultural land are
limited, but this is more than compensated for by the valuable stan-
niferous deposits which have now been profitably worked for over
30 years. Gold deposits, both reef and alluvial, are also found in
the Eastern districts ; and on both banks of the River Tamar, a
few miles inland from the North Coast, are situated two of the
principal goldfields in the State. An important belt of mineral
country also traverses the North-West Coast inland from the agri-
cultural areas that fringe the coast-line ; and between the famous
43
tin deposits of MLt. Bischoff and the silver-lead mines of Zeehan
and Dundas and Mt. Lyell, deposits of copper, silver, gold, anti-
mony, nickel, and bismuth are known to exist, and are now in
course of development.
The south-eastern portion of Tasmania is devoted to pastoral
pursuits- In the valleys of the Derwent and several of the tribu-
taries of the Huon fruitgrowing is an important industry ; indeed,
it forms the greatest export product ol the State. It reached
1,331,324 cases last season, and that number will probably be
doubled before many years have passed. In the valley of the Der-
went hopgrowing is also successfully pursued on an extensive scale.
The elevated midland portions of the island are devoted to sheep
and cattle and the stud flocks of both long and short wool sheep-
breeders, are favourably known throughout Australasia, shipments
of pure-bred sheep being even made to the Cape of Good Hope. Of
the south-western portion of the State — which is very rugged and
mountainous — but little is known; hopes are, however, entertained
that further exploration may lead to the discovery of mineral
deposits in what is at present an extensive and uninhabited part of
the country.
Though the total area of agricultural land in the State must
of necessity be somewhat circumscribed, yet the fertility of the
soil, coupled with the abundance of permanent streams of pure
water everywhere to be met with, and the salubrity and mildness
of climate, have gained for Tasmania the title of " The Garden of
the South," and caused it to be regarded as a popular summer resort
for visitors from the warmer climate of the Australian Continent.
Owing to the peculiar formation of the island and the ease with
which any desired elevation may be obtained, the choice is offered
of a wide range of climate within a comparatively limited area —
a distance of 30 or 40 miles carrying one from the warm and equable
temperature of the sea-shore to an almost Alpine atmosphere.
Climate and Rainfall.
Tasmania is plentifully supplied with numerous streams of the
purest water, and possesses one of the best and most healthful
climates in the world, being neither too hot in summer nor severely
cold in winter, as may be gauged by the following climatological
and meteorological records : —
The highest annual rainfall recorded in Hobart is 4067 inches
in the year 1863, and the lowest is 13'43 inches in 1843, while the
annual average rainfall is 23 "40 inches.
Taking, however, the portion of the State best adapted to agri-
cultural and pastoral pursuits, it may be stated that the average
annual rainfall over this area is 32' 60 inches, and that the major
quantity falls in the most favourable period, viz., between May
and October.
44
Temperature.
The mean shade summer temperature is recorded as 6T4, and the
mean winter temperature is 47"0 ; while the highest recorded is
105"0, and the lowest at 27'7, and the highest recorded sun tem-
perature for 21 years is 160'0. As these records have been taken
at Hobart they will of course vary according to latitude and eleva-
tion, but they will not materially alter in the settled districts of
the State.
A separate chapter is devoted to furnishing a description of the
lands comprised in every county, so far as the limited space avail-
able will admit of that being done.
COUNTY OF ARTHUR.
Contains 816,000 acres, all of which is still in the possession of
the Crown. It is irregularly L-shaped, and extends from the Pic-
ton River on the east to Elliott Cove on the west, and from Port
Davey on the south to the Gordon River on the north. It com-
prises a large proportion of mountainous, poor country, though the
elevations attained are not so great as in the central counties. The
Mts. Picton, De Witt, Wilmot, Frankland, and Arthur Ranges
vary from 2000 to 3700 feet above the sea ; the latter two are the
best defined examples of mountain scenery in Tasmania. The
valleys are of inferior quality, generally open, wet, and gravelly,
covered with button-grass, interspersed with thick belts of low
scrub. The scrub in the south-eastern portion is almost impene-
trable. Large quantites of Huon pine (Dacrydiurn franklin ti), the
most durable and the most valuable timber in the Commonwealth
of Australia, have been taken from excellent timber beds along
the Davey River. These timber beds have been much reduced,
but it is known that others exist further inland.
Marine and fresh-water Tertiary deposits have been observed in
the valleys of the Huon and Serpentine Rivers to the east of the
ranges. With these exceptions, metamorphic schists, sandstones,
and quartzite conglomerates predominate throughout the county.
Discoveries of gold, silver, and copper have been made, but they
have in no case been brought to a successful issue.
A track has been cut out and well marked from the Tyenna
settlement, via Mt. Wedge and Lake Pedder, right through this
county to Port Davey, and is now available for prospectors and
others desiring to traverse it. The county has been little prospected
up to the present time.
Moore's Track from Birch Inlet, Macquarie Harbour, to Port
Davey, intersects the western portion of this county. A continua-
tion of the last named track has been marked through to Southport,
in D'Entrecasteaux Channel, and a branch track run down to
Cox's Bight, where some claims were taken up and worked for tin
with indifferent success.
46
Port Davey possesses a land-locked and one of the safest anchor-
ages in the State in stormy weather. The harbour is a fine sheet
of water, surrounded by wild but beautiful scenery ; it trends east
erly, and is navigable for 20 miles, and receives the outflow of
Old. North, Spring, and Davey Rivers.
COUNTY OF BUCKINGHAM.
Embraces the portion of country lying between the Derwent and
the Huon Rivers. It is bounded on the east by D'Entrecasteaux
Channel, and extends westerly to the Florentine River, comprising
1,072,700 acres, of which 349,400 acres have been alienated, and
9100 acres held for sawmilling operations. It includes the City of
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, with a population of 40,000, and
is intersected by two main macadamised roads — the one leading
from the capital southerly to the Huon River, across the spurs
of Mt. Wellington. (4166 feet above sea-level), forms one of the
most attractive drives in the State ; the other, along the banks of
the Derwent to the Salmon Ponds at the River Plenty, is also a
favourite drive for visitors; while the 10 miles from the city to
Kingston cannot be surpassed, for a short stage. Buckingham is a
mountainous county, of which the summit of Mt. Wellington is
the highest point. Agricultural settlement has been confined to
the Channel and river frontages. In the Florentine Valley 11,000
acres of good land still await development. The surveyed route of
the proposed Great Western Railway-line intersects the country
between Glenora and the " Great Bend " in the Gordon, and
extends north-westerly to Zeehan, in the County of Montagu.
Much of this land might be devoted to fruitgrowing, for which it
is admirably adapted ; and good timber beds are met with back in
the ranges, and are being developed.
The other areas of country to which the attention of the selector
is directed are in the vicinity of the Weld River, which falls into
the Huon, and in the locality of the Sandfly coal discovery, 4 miles
from the main Hobart to Huon road, and 15 miles from the city.
Coal of high quality has been known to exist on this land for many
years, portion of which has been held under lease for working the
mineral. Its inaccessibility and distance from market, or absence
of cheap transit have hitherto retarded its development, but there
is now a prospect of its worth being turned to practical account -by
the persons in whose hands it is placed. This county of which the
centre is greenstone formation — is almost encircled by a border of
coal measures.
Mr. District Surveyor Herbert Combes reports as follows on the
survey district of Buckingham, south of Hobart: —
Lands Suitable for Selection.
In the Parishes of Longlev, Champ, Throckmorton, and Ranelagh
very little land, even third-class, is to be found worth selecting,.
47
and, as 1 have already stated in my former reports, it is in almost
inaccessible places.
In the Parishes of Lonna and Punna, on the Russell, Denison,
and Weld Rivers, there is a large area of good land open for selec-
tion ; also a considerable area of second-class land suitable for fruit-
growing. The want of a good road to this land is the only draw-
back.
The lluon district, as is pretty well known, is one of the oldest
and one of the roughest and most broken of the settled districts in
the State, and it is therefore only reasonable to state that there
are small areas of good land in the back country yet to be selected
apart from those mentioned in the foregoing remarks; but what is
very important to note in this connection is the thousands of acres
of first-class fruit lands which are being or have been purchased
from the Crown still in virgin state, and much of which could, no
doubt, be acquired at a moderate upset, within easv access of made
or opened roads. Some of these lands have been partially improved,
and inexpensive buildings erected thereon, and are consequently
better adapted to the requirements of a stranger coming to Tas-
mania than the Crown lands in the back country. The initial
•cost of acquiring the former lauds is greater, but generally speaking
will be found less than the work can be done by the settler coming
from abroad.
Timber, Beds.
As I have before stated, there is a good bed of timber on the
north-east side of the Russell, and also at the head of the River
Denison.
At the back of Mt. Wellington, on the southern slope of the
mountain called Sleeping Beauty, at the head of the Mountain
River, there exists a good bed of timber of about 400 acres, with a
sawmill near to it. The owners of this mill have tried several times
to get a lease to cut timber on this land, but have been refused each
time on the grounds that it is reserved in connection with the
Hobart water-supply.
It appears to me that it is a great pity that all this valuable
timber should be allowed to go to waste, as it will do before many
years, as the first bush fire will destroy the whole of it. I would sug-
gest that it be leased to millowners from year to year.
In conclusion, I can say that things in the Huon district are
about the same as they have been for the last few years-
The Chief Forest Officer, Mr. J. C. Penny, reports as follows: —
In the month of September, 1909, I visited Uxbridge for the
purpose of ascertaining whether it would be advisable to throw
open for selection about 1500 acres of the eastern portion of the
Uxbridge Timber Reserve.
48
Finding that a large quantity of the timber had been destroyed
by fire, it was useless to continue this portion as a reserve, with
the exception of 280 acres, and such other small areas as the sur-
veyor may find to be worth reserving.
Much of the land over which I travelled is a good red soil, with
here and there, stony patches, and it is generally covered with
sassafras, musk, dogwood, and ferns. From what I could see of the
other portions of the reserve, there appeared to be a large area
of flat and undulating country. This, I was told by Mr. Fenton
and others who had been through it, contained some thousands of
acres of red soil similar to that I saw.
The reserve itself is reached in 10 miles from the Glenora Rail-
wav-station, and there are four good roads leading to the edge
of it.
As the elevation is only in places a little above the present
furthest settlement, it could be made easily available by the exten-
sion of these roads.
From my observation I think this one of the most desirable
places for the extension of settlement. I
Mr. Government Surveyor C. E. Radcliff, reports as follows on
the Derwent Valley, Bruni Island, Franklin, and Kent districts: — \
Lands Suitable for Selection.
No new areas have become available since my last report, and,
except for isolated lots, the following localities contain the best
land suitable for selection: — Bruni Island: Adventure Bay, east
of selections of Kaden and others; Cloudy Bay Lagoon, south of
Edwards' selections; Great Taylor's Bay and north of Lighthouse
reserve. North Bruni Island, north of the neck ; Kent, South-
port — the southern portion of town reserve of Hythe ; Port Esper-
ance, between Raminea and the Village Settlement on the Esperance
and Creekton Rivers. New Norfolk district. — A large area of
second and third class land is available on Mt. Lloyd and at
Uxbridge. This land is proved to be good grass-growing land, and
is in parts suitable for small-fruits. It is well watered, and the
elevation varies from 700 to 2000 feet.
To the south of the settlement of the selections in Uxbridge
there is a considerable area of good basaltic soil, suitable for arti-
ficial grasses at an elevation of from 600 to 2500 feet. This land
faces the north, and lies on the opposite side of the range from
the areas of Crown lands referred to by Mr. Combes in the Huon
district. At Tyenna, on the north-western and south-eastern sides
of present selections there are patches of land suitable for selection,
being merely in extension of the present Uxbridge settlement,
which faces the Derwent, and finds an outlet on the Derwent Val-
ley railway to Hobart.
At the northern end of Bruni Island, in the town of Lennon,
and north of Cape Frederick Henry, there are considerable areas
50
suitable for fruitgrowing. These areas are beautifully situated
between the fine D'Entrecasteaux Channel on the one side, and
Storm Bay on the other, with short lengths of cartage, and about
30 miles by water from Hobart by the river steamers that ply
almost daily all the year round.
These remarks apply also to lands fronting Adventure Bay on
South Bruni Island.
South of Fluted Cape there are small areas of good land suitable
for grassing.
The observations contained in the remarks on the Buckingham
districts apply equally well to Franklin. These districts are
especially suited to the production of fruit and dairying, both by
soil and climate, and the reason that attention is directed to the
facilities for acquiring private lands, is mainly due to the knowledge
of the fact that the bidk of these fruit lands have been purchased
from the Crown as third-class instead of first-class, and therefore
far below their value. It is impossible to fix an accurate sum for
clearing these lands, as the extent of timber and scrub growing
thereon varies so much, but it may be fairly gauged as ranging
between £5 and £20 per acre.
COUNTY OF COB NW ALL.
Contains 1,100,700 acres, of which 399,010 acres have been alien-
ated. It is bounded on the east by the ocean, on the south and
west by the St. Paul's and South Esk Rivers, and on the north
by the North Esk and George Bivers. It includes the City of
Launceston, and comprises land of a varied description, upon which
three of the staple industries of the State — viz., agriculture, mining,
and pasture — are largely represented. The first discovery of gold
in Tasmania occurred in this county in about the year 1859, wherein
mining also took its origin. Galena has been discovered, and min-
ing for gold, tin, and coal has been constantly pursued for many
years, whilst the Mt. Nicholas coalfield at St. Marys has proved the
best and most permanent coal-mine in the State. This mine enjoys
the advantages of railway as well as road communication with either
city, and is 80 miles by road from Launceston. The New Golden
Gate Gold Mining Company, situated at Mathinna, proved to be
one of the best mines in Australia. It paid its way, without
any capital being called up, from the commencement, and it
distributed £355,200, or £11 2s. per share, in dividends to the
fortunate shareholders since 1888, as the result of a yield valued
at £865,674, from 271,348 tons, being a yield of 16 dwt. 18-41 gr.
per ton up to the 31st January, 1908- Since then it became unpro-
fitable, and was practically closed for some time. It has, however,
resumed operations recently with good prospects of success. The
drive from Mt. Nicholas through St. Marys Pass, and thence along
the seaboard and across the Scamander Biver (a favourite resort for
anglers) to St. Helens, is very beautiful, and the total distance,
52
27 miles, is not fatiguing. This county includes the only important
bed of ironbark timber in the State. It covers some 250 square
miles. The best of the alienated lands lie along the valley of the
South Esk. Of those remaining—
Mr. District Surveyor Thomas Clark, reports as follows on the
Fingal survey district : —
Lands Available for Selection.
County of Cornwall, Parishes of Fingal, Woodford, Broomsgrove,
Chesterfield, Avoca, St. Paul's. Wolverton, Haslemere, Gray ton,
Grant, Break o'Day, Tirana, Boultbie, Ben Lomond, Castle Carey,
St. Aubyn, Gardiner, Fraser, Fonthill, Evercreech, Talbot, Egre-
mont, Lunta, Goshen, and Lowelly : In the foregoing parishes
patches of first-class land in small lots are in existence, while large
areas of land of second and third rate quality are in evidence, the
geological formations of the country being granite, greenstone, sand-
stone, and slate. A large portion of the second and third class
lands in these localities makes good pasture for sheep and cattle.
The largest area of this land is encountered in the Parishes of Fin-
gal, Chesterfield, Wolverton, Haslemere, St. Paul's, Ben Lomond,
Castle Carey, St. Aubyn, and Gardiner. A quantity of this land
is well covered with natural grasses ; this applies in the main to the
Parishes of Chesterfield, St. Paul's, Ben Lomond, Castle Carey,
and Gardiner.
Parish of Gray. — Practically no land of a first-class nature is
available in this parish ; the bulk of the unalienated land in this
locality is of second and third class quality, and is mostly coastal
country-
Vicinity of Ford River and Rose's Tier. — In this locality first-
class land only exists in small lots ; there are, however, large areas
of lands of a second and third class nature having geological forma-
tions of granite and greenstone. This land is fairly flat, it being
on a plateau.
Parishes of Eastwood, Moriarty, Frampton, and Granipound. —
There are large areas of unalienated Crown land in the foregoing
localities. That of a first-class quality is, however, small, while
there are extensive areas of second and third class lands, the geo-
logical formation of the country being granite and slate. A deal of
the land in this vicinity has a good clay subsoil, and experimental
orchards planted give indications that a deal of the land is adapted
to the production of fruit. The largest extent of this land lies
along the coast between the mouth of the Scamander River and
George's Bay, and is served by the main-road from St. Marys to
St. Helens, which runs through portion of it. The climate is good,
and water-carriage is at hand by a coastal steamer from St. Helens.
Parishes of Blessington, Brentwood, Ben Nevis, Panubra, and
Mountjoy. The foregoing parishes only contain first-class land in
53
small lots; the major portion of the land is of a second and third
class quality, suitable for grazing.
County of Glamorgan, Parishes of St. Cuthberts, St. Andrews,
Stieglitz, Cooktowu, Douglas, Bicheno, Teenah, Glastonbury, East-
bourne, Roonah, Eleebana, Riversdale, Apslawn, St. Albans, Mere-
dith, Rawlinna, and Riawenna. Practically no first-class land is
available in these localities, the bulk being mostly of third-class
nature, which is only suitable for grazing purposes.
County of Dorset, Parishes of Alberton, Gould, Lotta, Monna,
and Weld.— In these localities small patches of first-class land
remain, with large areas of second and third class quality. The
geological formation of the country is basalt, granite, greenstone,
and slate-
Parishes of Evershot, Hartlepool, and Marana. — In these three
parishes small patches of first-class land exist in conjunction with
larger areas of land of a second and third rate quality which is
suitable for grazing purposes.
I beg to state that the only Crown land I am acquainted with of
any extent is on Rose's Tier, between Ford River and the South
Esk River, being about 2000 acres, and 1 estimate it is made up
as follows :
1st. About 300 acres of first-class land on the South Esk River,
suitable for agricultural purposes, of granite and slate formation,
at an elevation of about 1000 feet above sea level, and about 25
miles from the town of Fingal.
2nd. About 400 acres of second-class land on the eastern slope
of Rose's Tier, and about 300 acres of the same class on the western
slope of the same tier at an elevation of about 2000 feet above sea-
level, and about 26 and 32 miles respectively from the town of
Fingal. The formation is granite and slate, and the land is suit-
able for artificial grasses.
3rd. About 1000 acres of third-class land on plateau of Rose's
Tier, at an elevation of about 2500 feet above sea-level, with forma-
tions of granite, slate, and greenstone, being about 30 miles from
town of Fingal. This area is suitable for grazing cattle in its
native state, and artificial grasses should do on it.
There is unknown country between Mts. Ben Nevis, Maurice,
and Barrow. It would take a party three months to explore the
country thoroughly, and I doubt if any »ood results would be
obtained, owing to the high altitude.
FINGAL.
The Fingal survey district covers a large area of country between
Swansea and Ringarooma. Much of the land is let under pastoral
leases, while it embraces a large proportion of the East Coast tin
district, and the prosperous George's River, Groom River, and
Gould's Country agricultural settlement, which is being well settled
upon and improved. A large proportion of the Crown lands in this
00
district is withdrawn from selection in the mining interest,
embracing an area of >ome 4000 acre-, which are well suited to and
will yet become one ot' the dairying areas in the State. It takes in
the township- of Avw-a, Fingal, St. Marys, Mathinna, St. Helens,
Gould's Country, Lotta, Weldborough, and others of less import-
ance, as well as the fine fishing grounds at Scamander, which have
now become a favourite resort for tourists. There are considerable
areas of fruit lands along the coast, and a few miles inland in this
district yet unalienated, and to which the attention of persons in
search of orchard lands is directed.
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND.
Comprises about 553,000 acres, of which 36,960 acres have been
alienated. It is bounded on the east by the Clyde River, on the
west by the Nive River, on the south by the Derwent, and extends
northerly to the Great Lake. It includes the most southern portion
of the Lake plateau, and is composed for the most part of rough,
rocky tier country, with wet marshes on the higher levels. If
drained these marshes would be most suitable for the growth of
English grasses and root crops. The land is generally covered with
:an indifferent growth of rough grass. Its best portions are along
the valley of the Clyde and across the southern slopes towards the
Derwent. This portion of the country consists principally of open
grassy ridges, well watered by the Dee, Ouse, Shannon, and Clyde
Rivers- Much of the land is of excellent quality, but its best areas
have been long since alienated.
COUNTY OF DEVON.
The County of Devon is centrally situated on the north coast of
Tasmania. It extends from the Tamar River on the east to the
Emu River on the west, and from Bass Strait on the north to
Chudleigh on the south- It contains 1,466,300 acres, of which
636,060 have passed into private ownership.
It was originally nearly all dense forest country, and covered with
heavy scrubs, but its rich basaltic soils comprise the largest areas
of agricultural land in the island.
The excellent seaports of Port Sorell, Devonport, Ulverstone,
and Penguin, afford the best accommodation for shipping. This
county possessed the most extensive beds of splitting and sawing
timbers to be found in the State, which were the principal factors
in establishing the pioneer settlements on the north coast of Tas-
mania in the early fifties. At this period the discovery of gold in
Victoria, where timber was scarce and of indifferent quality, gave
a wonderful impetus to the timber industry of this State. The
export of valuable timbers, consisting of swamp-gum, stringy-bark,
peppermint, and blackwood, has continued to be a great boon to
selectors on the back lands of the county up to the present day.
56
The lands of Devon are well watered by the Rivers Mersey, Don,
Forth, Leven, Penguin, Blythe. and numerous small streams lead-
ing seawards. The north-eastern portion of the county includes the
rich agricultural settlements of Sassafras, Green's Creek, and New
Ground ; they are situated between the Asbestos Range and Mersey
River, and consist of low basaltic hills of chocolate soil, with rich
black land in the flats between. They are convenient to Port Sorell,
but the bulk of the produce is delivered at the Latrobe railway-
station for shipment at Devonport. Since the new bridge was
erected across the Mersey, connecting East and West Devonport,
much of the produce raised in the Northdown and Port Sorell
districts, and formerly delivered at Latrobe, is carted direct to
Devonport, which is the most important shipping port on the
North-West Coast, with a population of 4800 by last census. The
country between Port Sorell and the River Tamar is occupied
by the Asbestos Range, and is of a poor and worthless character
for agriculture. To the south-east of this range a patch of aurifer-
ous country occurs, of which the goldfield and town of Beaconsfield
form the principal centre.
Beaconsfield contains a population of about 3500 persons, of
whom about 600 are employed on the Tasmania Mine. Since min-
ing began, to September 30, 1912, 968,880 tons of quartz have
been crushed, yielding 809,314 standard oz. of gold, value
£3,076,096, out of which £772,071 15s. has been paid in dividends.
The area held by the company is 264 acres, with a battery-power
of 40 heads.
The mining field of Beaconsfield is backed up by agricultural
settlements of Flowery Gully, Glengarry, and Frankford on the
south.
Rough basaltic land extends southerly along the Tamar to the
South Esk. There are extensive flats of rich agricultural land in
the valley of the river. The central portion of this county is inter-
sected by the Launceston and Western Railway, which runs along
the valley of the Mersey to Devonport, and thence follows the
coast-line westerly, and junctions with the Emu Bay Company's
railway at Burnie. The latter line has been extended to Zeehan,
via Rosebery. The staple productions are potatoes, grain, and
butter, for which the soil and climate are eminently adapted.
WEST TAMAR,
The District of West Tamar embraces the settled country from
the City of Launceston, on the Tamar, to the Rubicon or Port
Sorell, on the west. It embraces the old agricultural centres of
Carrick, Westbury, Deloraine, and Elizabeth Town, as well as the
newer and smaller farming centres of Glengarry, Supply River,
and Black Sugarloaf ; also the mining centre of Beaconsfield. This
district, as well as many others referred to, possess large areas of
land that will yet be converted into fine orchards from a waste
58
and unprofitable condition. Lands in this district along the valley-
of the Tamar are now selling at comparatively high rates for
apple-growing. Those near the river are mostly privately owned,,
and in comparatively large areas, being used as runs for stock until
recently ; but there are equally good orchard lands back from the
river.
Mr. A. C. Hall. District Surveyor of Wesl and Central Devon,
reports as follows: —
In this district there is now not much Crown land which can be
recommended for agricultural purposes, owing to the elevation of
the " ringed " areas of the good land. Much of this land will,
however, be turned to good account for dairying and fattening
stock as the best lands become cleared and utilised. At the pre-
sent there are many hundreds of lots, embracing thousands of acres
of the best lands of the district, unimproved, and until these lands
are brought into a state of profitable production the less eligible
country will not be sought after. On chart No. 2 there are several
portions out of which it should be possible to obtain 3000 or 4000
acres suitable for fruitgrowing, and being close to good roads, rail-
way, and harbour, should offer great inducement to those
immigrants who propose taking up orcharding as a liveli-
hood. The soil is of poor quality, but in most instances
very similar to that which is being planted with orchards
in the locality, and for which up to £7 per acre in its natural
state is being paid. Most of this land has been leased for mining
purposes (shale), but so far has not proved profitable, and there
should be a large area not likely to be required for that purpose.
Mr. Hall's district strictly extends from the Rubicon Eivulet to*
the River Blyth, and includes the townships of East and West
Devonport, Leith, Ulverstone. Penguin, and other centres of
population. It is traversed from east to west along the coast by
the Ulverstone-Burnie Railway, and embraces the greatest area
of first-class basaltic soil in Tasmania, which is being settled upon
and improved back 30 miles from the seaboard. It is available to
the shipping ports of Devonport, Burnie, and many less important
places visited by small crafts.
Mr. District Surveyor Joseph Wilts reports as follows on portion
of the Deloraine survey district :
There are about 1000 acres south-east from the town reserve of
Liena suitable for grass, cultivation, aud fruit culture. The good
land is mixed with poorer land.
The portion of Devon in which Mr. Wilks is engaged is similar
to that over which Mr. Mali presides, and forms a part of one of
the best districts in Tasmania. It is well settled by a thriving
population, in small areas, and vet it is capable of supporting a
much greater number of settlers on the purchased lands. It
includes the rich lands of the Wilmol district for which the money
60
has been voted by Parliament for the construction of a railway to
connect with the main system at Railton, and takes in the popular
township of Sheffield and the less pretentious centre of Wilmot.
COUNTY OF DORSET.
The County of Dorset is the largest in Tasmania. It comprises
1,434,800 acres, of which 339,000 acres have been alienated; 15,000
acres are held under lease for sawmiliing, and a large area is leased
for mining purposes. It embraces the north-east corner of the
island, and extends from the ocean on the east to the River Tamar
on the west, and from Bass Strait on the north to the Esk and
George Rivers on the south, whilst the eastern mountain system
terminates near its western boundary. The lands are of a very
variable description and value, ranging from the richest agricul-
tural areas to the most inferior pastoral country. Many areas of
auriferous character occur, together with the great belt of stan-
niferous country — extending from the Ringarooma River to the
East Coast at George's Bay — and form one of the most important
mining fields in Tasmania. The best of the alluvial tin deposits
have been worked out, but many lode-formations have been dis-
covered, though none has so far proved satisfactory. The increase
in population which the tin discoveries created in this district in
1875 gave a wonderful impetus to the farming industry, and
although the agrcultural lands were mostly all heavily timbeied,
the Ringarooma district now contains some of the finest estates in
Tasmania, notably " Legerwood," " North view," "Mineral
Banks," and " Branxholm," comprising 10,500 acres.
Progress in settlement would have been more extensive generally
had it not been hindered by the withdrawal of large areas from
selection for many years for mining purposes, some of which have,
however, recently been thrown open for sale and selection. Much
of the soil is of good quality. The eastern portion of the county
consists of granite formation, which extends from Cape Portland'
to the Scamander River, in the adjoining County of Cornwall. It
includes the tin deposits of Mt. Cameron, and is overlaid in places
by Teritary formations. The good lands are composed for the most
part of the disintegration of the prevailing trap-rock overflowing
the granite and slate formations. Tn many places there is ample
evidence of the existence of tin deposits at some depth from the
surface.
The coast border is inferior pastoral country, covered with rough
herbage. It is generally composed of Tertiary gravels, resting on
a slate bottom. The trap-rock occurs near the Tamar, where the
land is of fair quality.
Silurian rocks are generally met with in the north-western por-
tions of this county, which comprises the goldfieids of Lefroy,
Golconda, and other localities where gold has been discovered.
62
The Launceston-Scottsdale railway extends to the centre of the
county. It is traversed by coach route from the railway terminus
av Branxholm, via Derby, Moorina, and St. Helens to connect
with the Fingal railway terminus at St. Marys.
The Dorset district includes the country along the north coast
between the Great Forester River on the east and the Tamar on
the west, and includes the large and well settled district of Scotts-
■dale. Although there are no extensive agricultural Crown lands
available, since the best portions have been long since secured by
purchase from the Crown, yet this district, in common with those
lying to the east, possesses extensive areas of first-class fruit lands
which are only made use of as unimproved sheep-runs. Anyone
desiring to learn a practical lesson as to the value of these lands
need only make a tour of the young orchard settlements along the
banks of the River Tamar and the Lilydale settlement along the
Launceston to Scottsdale railway-line.
Referring to Crown lands available, suitable for: —
(1) Agricultural purposes,
(2) Fruitgrowing, and
(3) Cultivation of ai'tificial grasses.
in the Parishes of Gunn, Milson, Barrow, and Northallerton, there
is practically no Crown land left suitable for (1) and (2).
In the Parishes of Milson and Barrow there is a large area
adapted for the cultivation of artificial grasses. This is sandstone
and granite country generally over 2000 feet above sea-level, well
watered, and fairly heavily timbered. The timber varies with the
situation and the quality of the soil. On the tops of the ridges
stringy-bark is the prevailing timber. White-gum also occurs,
associated with stringy-bark, on areas which are generally rather
poor. The better quality land is generally timbered with beech
(so-called " myrtle ") and stringy-bark, and carries an undergrowth
of sassafras, musk, dogwood, treefern, cathead fern, &c.
There is a copious rainfall (probably well over 50 inches per
annum), and what land has been scrubbed, burnt, and sown with
cocksfoot grass, clover, and other grasses yields excellent summer
pasture, and dairying is being extensively carried on by the selec-
tors. Owing to the elevation the seasons are late and the winters
cold, but it is rare for snow to lie on the ground for any appi-eci-
able time.
I believe that eventually this country will be found most suitable
for the breeding and fattening of sheep.
RINGAROOMA.
The country lying between the Ringarooma River and the Great
Forester River includes the important agricultural settlements
of Ringarooma, Branxholm, Kay, Derby, and Forester, in which
some of our richest basaltic lands are situated, and except the open
CKING JRIVER GORGE, MDJ.MT LYELL RMLWAY.
64
sandy coast-line, are generally adapted to the production of cereala
and root crops of every kind and in any quantity, as well as the
best and most luxuriant growth of all kinds of artificial grasses.
It is intersected by a good main road and the Scottsdale extension
of the railway, which affords daily communication with Launces-
ton, and the absence of which has kept the progress of the district
biack for many years. As in the case of the eastern districts, there
is a large proportion of good fruit country and coast border which
will yet be turned to excellent account. The surveyor, Mr. Fraser,
furnishes the following details of the localities in which the best
Crown lands are to be found- The report is dated 1911, but the
land is still unselected : —
Mr. Authorised Surveyor Donald Fraser reports as follows: —
In reply to your memorandum of 10th October, 1911, I beg
leave to report: —
The district with which I am best acquainted is contained in
chart Dorset No. 5. All the accessible good Crown land has already
been selected, but I know of one area of land suitable for artificial
grasses which is at present inaccessible, but could be made acces-
sible by construction of a special road. The land referred to
commences at the intake of the Mt. Cameron water-race, and
extends southerly to 100 acres (G. T. Kichards), and probably west
of the three lots in the names of G. T., G. W., and O. R. Richards.
The intake of Mt. Cameron race is not shown on chart, but I have
travelled up the Mussel Roe River several times on foot to Richards'
lots, and the land, principally on the west side, and probably in
places on the east side, is suitable for settlement. It is fairly level,
of granite formation, gum and blackwood timber, tree ferns, musk,
dogwood, and willow scrub. The land is of a light nature, but
very suitable for grass-growing. I have seen extraordinarily good
grass on Richards' lots. Speaking roughly, the land suitable for
settlement is 4 to 5 miles long north and south. I have not been far
west of Mussel Roe River, but the land appears to be fairly level
and may extend further westerly than half a mile. This could only
be determined by a special visit. I know the land to the west of
Richards' lots is farrly level and of even quality, and well watered.
The land lies about 8 miles by chart south-easterly from the town
of Pioneer. There is a rough road from Pioneer to the Govern-
ment race. Probably a special road to the land would be, if
graded, 11 or 12 miles in length, but it may also open up other
land en route.
The disadvantages of using this land for immigrants would be
the long road cartage for cream or butter ; the placing of inex-
perienced men on land that probably the hardiest of Tasmanian
natives would find it a task to make a living from ; the isolated
position of the land ; inaccessibility of schools, towns, &c, probably
for some years after the settlers first located there ; the danger of
clearing and grassing land which if not properly used and kept
66
clear will revert to a state of nature ; but as the first settlers in
Tasmania had these same hardships to contend with in a greater
degree, there is always the possibility that hard-working and deter-
mined men, even if inexperienced, may make a success when helped
by the Government and taught how to use the land, and helped
to find markets, schools, &c. The land is there, and if the right
type of settler be introduced it should keep a fair number. The
climate is excellent, rainfall ample, and I believe water is abun-
dant, not only in the Mussel Roe, but tributaries. At present I
can only speak with reasonable certainty of the existence of, say,
1600 acres. An exploratory trip may reveal that this area is
exceeded. The probable cost of a special visit to determine length
and width of land more exactly would be about £20, as I consider
it would take a week, and there would be some travelling expenses.
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN.
Contains 1,007,700 acres, of which only 240 acres have been
alienated. Its greatest length, about 60 miles, is north-westerly, 1
extending from the Florentine River on the south-east to the King
River on the north-west. Its eastern boundary includes Mt. 1
Arrowsmith, and Macquarie Harbour is its western limit. This f
county is of a rugged, mountainous character, and comprises a
limited extent of good land. Many of the mountain peaks approach
an elevation of 5000 feet above sea-level. It is essentially mineral-
bearing, but has been little prospected — the rough, and, until
recently, isolated condition of the country rendering prospecting
an arduous, costly, and tedious undertaking. Like the rich belt
of mineral country which extends across the north-west end of
the island from Strahan to Bass Strait, it is composed of meta-
morphic and crystalline rock formation" of different ages. The exist-
ence of gold was discovered many years since, and silver-lead has
been found near the King River, in the vicinity of Mt. Lyell.
A limited area of good agricultural land exists along the east shore
of Macquarie Harbour, where miocene fresh-water deposits are
met with. There are good areas of button-rush marshes within this
county, which, it is believed, are well-suited to the growth of
English grasses and root crops ; but some expenditure must be
incurred in draining, to test the experiment.
Mr. E. A. Marsden, while exploring for tracks for the Public
Works Department, writes On 22nd February, 1897:-
I beg to draw attention to an extensive area of agricultural
land passed through by myself and party during my last exploring
trip for the Public Works Department.
" We traversed this area for 9 miles, the boundaries being,
apparently, on the north by an uncharted river, taking its rise in
two branches out of the south side of Mt. Hobhouse and north
end of Wyld's Craig, and flowing south-easterly into the Derwent
67
River : on the east by the Derwent River to the south-west it
appears to extend to the foot of Wyld's Craig, and southerly to the
Florentine River, and mav possiblv prove to be an extension of the
Florentine Valley.
" This land is covered with myrtle (small white), pear-tree, and
musk, with a vast quantity of silver wattle, cat-head ferns (rough
and smooth), and tree-fern. Very little large timber was seen,
and the few large trees along the portion traversed were gum-
topped stringy-bark and swamp-gum."
This land is still unselected, owing to its remoteness.
COUNTY OF GLAMORGAN.
Contains 658,600 acres, of which 237,190 acres have been alien-
ated. It is essentially a pastoral district, and is bounded on the
east by the ocean, on the south by Swan River, whilst it extends
westerly to the eastern mountain range, and northerly to St. Paul's
River. It is composed for the most part of rocky, rough tier
country, of greenstone formation. The best lands lie along the
coast-line and in the extreme western portion of the county. They
consist of dry rocky hills, covered with a good growth of rough
grass. There are some good agricultural lands comprised within
the old estates at Swansea, but they are exclusively devoted to
pasture. The State lands are generally of a steep, rocky, and
rugged character, and selection progressed at a slow rate in con-
sequence until " The Crown Lands Act, 1903," came into opera-
tion. The passing of the Act quoted, which provides for the free
selection of second and third class lands, created a demand for
land in this and other pastoral districts throughout the island. A
motor reaches Swansea from Sorell. Gold, tin, and coal have been
discovered along the seaboard, but not in payable quantities so far.
The most important public work which has been proposed for the
advantage of Glamorgan for many years was the cutting of a navi-
gation channel through East Bay Neck. This work cost £22,000,
and reduces the sailing distance between Hobart and the East
Coast ports by about 45 miles of the very worst portion of the
distance .
COUNTY OF KENT.
Contains 820,500 acres, of which area 61,470 acres are alienated,
and 60,690 acres held for sawmilling purposes. This county
embraces the extreme south end of the island, and extends from
D'Entrecasteaux Channel on the east to Port Davey on the west,
and stretches northerly to the Arthur Range. It is of a broken and
mountainous character, but contains some considerable areas of
good Crown lands, the best of which lie along the eastern portion
of the county, between the settlements of Geeveston and the Arve
valley. The area of agricultural land is only about 7 or 8 milea
from the navigable portion of the Huon River; but owing to
68
the impenetrable nature of the country a large expenditure is
required to open it up. Settlement is confined to the Channel
border, and extends from the town reserve of Hull on the Huon
River to Recherche Bay. The quality of the soil and the moist
nature of the climate render it admirably adapted to fruitgrowing.
Fruit and timber form the staple industries of the district. The
unexplored area is composed, as far as is known, of metamorphic
schists, quartzites, sandstone, and clay slates. Gold and copper
have been discovered, but not in payable quantities.
A number of sawmills are engaged cutting timber for the local
and export trade and extensive beds of splendid timber are still
available to be operated upon. (See report by Mr. J. C. Penny,
the Chief Forest Officer, on page 122.)
Some of the finest mountain scenery in the State is to be found
in Kent notably, the Hartz Mountains, Adamson Peak, Mt. La
Perouse, and Bathurst Range- The Hartz Mountains and lakes
in the vicinity are now approachable by track from Geeveston,
distant 12 miles. A tourist hut has been erected at the mountain,
and it is much appreciated by frequent visitors.
Mr. C. E. Radcliff, Authorised Surveyor, reports as follows: —
Lands Suitable foe Selection.
My remarks under this heading are practically a repetition of
those of last year.
The best area that I know of available in the Huon district is
in Kent, Parish of Garrett, between Raminea and the Village
Settlement on the Esperance and Creekton Rivers ; it is of first,
second, and third class quality. Large areas of third-class land
are still available on South Bruni Island, in the vicinity of Cloudy
Bay : and on the southern end of North Bruni, and at adventure
Bay, South Bruni, small areas of first-class land, with large areas
of second and third class land, can still be obtained.
Mining.
The Port Cygnet Coal Mine is the principal mine in the district.
li is worked on a small scale only. The coal is anthracite, and is
considered fairly useful for household purposes. At Recherche
a coal seam is being prospected, but so far very little has been done
in the way of working it for commercial purposes. It is considered
by some to be of value as a steam coal, but so far, I believe, has
not been tried extensive] v.
COL XT Y OF LINCOLN.
This county is centrally situated, and comprises 940,500 acres,
of which 42,420 acres have been alienated. It extends northerly
from the junction of the Derwent and Nive Rivers to the V.D.L.
KING SOLOMON'S CAVES
70
Company's old track at Middlesex Plains, and from the head
waters of the River Mersey on the east to the Murchison and
Mackintosh Rivers on the west. It embraces the largest propor-
tion of the lake uplands of the State, and is mountainous and
rugged towards the south-western and north-western borders- The
Du Cane Range (the Eldon Bluff, and Mts. Hugel and Olympus),
whose highest points exceed 4500 feet, form an imposing array of
mountain scenery ; whilst Cradle Mountain, with an altitude of
5069 feet, in the north-western division of the country, bears the
greatest recorded elevation above sea-level in the whole of the
State. In keeping with the order of the mountain system, all
the principal rivers in Tasmania take their origin in this county,
and trend in all directions — the Derwent south-easterly, the Mersey
and Forth northerly, the Pieman and King westerly, and the
Franklin south-westerly. The purchased and leased lands are
situated in the south and eastern portions of the county ; they
are unimproved, and used as bush-runs for stock. The hills are
very rocky, and the plains are covered with coarse herbage and
native grass. The soil is of fair quality, being enriched from the
decomposed greenstone (diabase) which everywhere prevails; but
a proper system of draining is necessary to eradicate the fluke
from the summer marshes, which predominate, before good results
may be anticipated. The severity of the climate, which is due to
the elevated situation, will prevent its being ever largely utilised
for agriculture. There is not sufficient summer weather to ripen
grain crops. Coal has been discovered on private property, and
arrangements for testing its value are in course of progress. The
Government track from Liena on the Mersey and Rosebery —
known as the Mole Creek or Innes' Track— crosses this county from
east to west. It has had a large expenditure of public money on
it. It traverses very high country, but is passable for horse traffic
during the summer season. Some very promising mineral dis-
coveries have been made along this route in the vicinity of Mt.
Pelion and Barn Bluff, but they are difficult of access.
COUNTY OF MONTAGU.
The County of Montagu contains 594,600 acres, of which 3980
acres have been alienated, and a large area is leased from the
Crown for mining. It includes a large proportion of the mineral
zone which crosses the western part of the island. It is bounded
on the north by the Pieman River, on the south by the King
River, on the west by the Southern Ocean, and extends easterly
to the Murchison River. The eastern portion of the county is
rough and mountainous throughout, while Mts- Heemskirk and
Agnew are the most prominent features westerly. They form the
southern end of the stanniferous belt of country which extends
northerly to Mt. Bischoff. The country between the ranges is
rough and precipitous, with occasional patches of button-rush
71
marshes. It flattens out westerly along the sea-board, and consists
principally of open quartzite ridges, with belts of thick scrub
in the gullies. The land suitable for cultivation is limited.
The importance of this county was first brought into notice by
the discovery of tin at lleemskirk in 1877; previous to that date
it was practically an unexplored wilderness.
The district was subsequently abandoned, and it was not until
the argentiferous galena deposits were first discovered by Long and
Harnian in 1884, and subsequently brought into prominence
by the discovery of the Silver Queen lodes in 1887, that a mining
settlement was fairly established. The mining towns of Zeehan and
Dundas soon sprang into existence. The Town of Zeehan, with
a population of about 4500, is the principal centre of communica-
tion in the northern portion of the county. It is connected with
the Dundas mining field and town of Dundas by lh miles of
railway, in addition to which the Emu Bay Company's railway
connects Zeehan with Emu Bay, intersecting Colebrook, Rosebery,
Mt. Black, and other mining centres / // route. Numerous trams,
bush roads, and tracks have been opened by the various mining
claims.
An extensive survey of the entrance to ^lacquarie Harbour was
made by Mr. Napier Bell, C.E., with a view to deepening the bar-
A portion of the work was undertaken, the contract price for which
was £60,000, but the results are problematical. The railway con-
necting Zeehan with Strahan was opened for traffic in 1892. It
is 29 miles in length, and was one of the best paving lines in the
State until the Emu Bay railway was constructed. The Govern-
ment has constructed a tramway or light railway on a 2-feet gauge
to connect the ^\lt. Read districts with the Zeehan and Dundas
railway-line. The tramway is \1\ miles in length, and reaches
Ringville, Deep Lead, and other important places. The North
Mt. Lyell Mining and Railway Company constructed a railway
from Gormanston (Linda Valley) to Kelly Basin, in Macquarie
Harbour. This railway is still open for traffic, but there is
nothing to support its running regularly. A branch line has been
surveyed right on to the North Lyell Mine.
The town of Gormanston is on the opposite side of the range
from the town of Queenstowm, from which the settled portion is
distant about 2h miles.
The town of Queenstown is situated on either side of the upper
portion of the Queen River. It includes the Mt. Lyell Mining
and Railway Company's extensive smelting and ore-reduction
works. It sprang into existence and importance more rapidly than
any town in Tasmania, the population being estimated at 5000
persons.
The principal agricultural settlement is at Granville Harbour.
There is also good land in the vicinity of the River Henty and
in the valley of the Huskisson River, available for selection,
72
subject to the right of searching and mining for gold and other
metals and minerals. There are other areas of less extent within
the mining areas which are being selected since they were thrown
open for settlement under " The Crown Lands Act, 1903.'' Even
where the land is of inferior quality- as in the case of some of the
small holdings near Strahan — the moist climate that prevails on
the West Coast, and the local demand that existed for all kinds of
vegetable and dairying products on the mines, created a constant
enquiry tor settled lands. Where such lands are sold, the right
to mine thereon is retained on payment of compensation to the
owner for any improvements effected by him, by which provision
the interests of the miner and the settler may be fairly met.
The West Coast Range lies along the eastern border of the
county. Tt comprises the Peaks of Sorell, Darwin, Jukes, Huxley,
Owen, Lyell, and Sedgewick. They are composed of large masses
of quartzite and sandstone conglomerates resting usually on a
schist bottom, and form a highly mineralised belt of country, which
extends northerly from the River Gordon to the Pieman. It con-
tains deposits of iron and copper pyrites, bornite, silver -lead, gold,
and other minerals, and includes the extensive Mt. Lyell Mine,
which now ranks as one of the first magnitude.
The Mt. Lyell Mining and Railway Company Limited.
This is pre-eminent among the various enterprises. Since August
11, 1903, it has become a new company through amalgamation with
the former North Mt. Lyell Copper Company Limited, which
also operated in the same field. Capital, £1,300,000, in 1,300,000
shares of £1 each, all issued. Head office, 39 Queen-street, Mel-
bourne : D. G. Lumsden, Secretary. Directors : William Jamie-
son (chairman), Bowes Kelly (vice-chairman), Lindsay Tulloch,
P. C. Holmes Hunt, Colin Templeton. London Directors: A.
Williamson (chairman), Sir J. A. Cockburn, John P>. Ball, W.
Douglas Reid. London Secretarv : E. Habben, Palmerston House,
Old Broad-street, T.C. Tasmanian Agent: Hon. B. Stafford Bird,
Hobart.
The principal mines are situated near Gormanston, being the
Mt. Lyell Mine and the North Mt. Lyell Mine, in addition to
which the company also owns most of the other mineral properties
in the field. During 1912 it acquired the Lyell Comstock Mine,
and in 1913 the Crown Lyell Mine, both adjacent to the North
Mt. Lyell Mine.
The Mt. Lyell Mine was discovered in 1883 by Steve Karlson,
who found the outcrop known since as the "Iron Blow." This was
rich in gold, so that the property was worked for a time by various
associations in a limited way as a gold mine. The former Mt.
Lyell Company took over the property in 1892, and after prelimin-
ary exploratory work in the course of which a rich pocket of ore
was struck, which, bv >;ile in London, netted £105,000 out of 850
74
tons — active development work and treatment operations were
begun in 1894. These were gradually extended in the course oi
time, until the enterprise now ranks as one of the first magnitude.
The North Lyell Mine has been worked since 1890, but the rich
deposits of same were found in 1897. The former North Mt. Lyell
Copper Company mined and smelted independently for a while, and
also constructed a fine line of railway from Gormanston to Kelly
Basin, at the head of Macquarie Harbour. Mining at the Mt.
Lyell Mine is done on the open-cut or quarry system, as well as
by underground methods, while the North Lyell ore is only won
by underground mining. The reduction works are situated at
Queenstown, on the Queen River, a tributary of the King River,
and are distant in a straight line from the Mt. Lyell Mine
about 1 mile, and from the North Mt. Lyell Mine about 1] mile.
The carriage of ore from the mine to the reduction works is
effected across an intervening mountain saddle by means of a self-
acting haulage line in connection with steam tramways, and also
by an aerial ropeway, which is capable of delivering 1500 tons of
ore daily direct to the blast furnaces. The treatment of the ore
is carried on at the rate of 1000 tons per day. The method used
is that of direct smelting of the raw sulphide ore, known as
" pyrite smelting,'' and the copper, silver, and gold values in
the ore are concentrated into a matte, which is further treated
in a converter department of a total capacity of from 60 to 70
tons of blister copper per day. The fluxes for smelting, as far
as required, are derived from quarries near the reduction works,
together with metal-bearing fluxes from smaller mines owned by
the company. A 2-feet tramway system serves the reduction
works, the total length of which is 17rf miles: in connection with
which there are 4| miles more of mixed-gauge railway (3 feet
6 inches and 2 feet). Seven 2-feet locomotives and 200 vehicles
are in use. The company derives nearly all its requirements for
construction from its own leases, and has adequate facilities for
brickmaking, sawmilling, repairs of all kinds, machine shop,
foundry, and all subsidiary works- Electricitv is largely used as
motive power, being transmitted from a generating station at the
reduction works, being used (among other things) for driving the
Ilgner winding-engine, air-compressor, and pumps at the mines.
Six large steam-turbines are installed, besides four compound con-
densing engines. The total boiler horsepower is 3200 i.h.p.,
exclusive of the railway. Weekly consumption of fuel at present,
550 tons firewood, and 400 tons coal. At present an hydro-electric
installation is in course of construction, to utilise the water-power
available at Lake Margaret, 7 miles from the works. This will
be completed during the year, and at once supplant the steam-
power plant mentioned. The number of men employed at the mine
quarries, reduction works, and shops, &c, is 1600. Smelting
operations were begun in June, 1896. Tn addition to its own
ores, the company treats ores purchased from other mines. The
average cost of mining, delivery, smelting, and converting (includ-
ing power, fuel, fluxes, and all local, Melbourne, and London
expenses) is 20s. per ton of ore. The quantity of ore treated since
the beginning to October 1, 1913, is 5,337,158 tons, and the total
of all metal-bearing materials is 6,241,676 tons. The amount of
blister copper made during the same period is 125,606 tons, con-
taining 124,107 tons pure copper; 10,394,853 oz. of silver; and
316,601 oz. gold. The company also possesses at Port Kembla,
N.S.W., its own plant for the manufacture of the coke used in
the smelting operations, and at Yarraville, Victoria, at Port Ade-
laide, South Australia, and at Fremantle. West Australia, operates
large chemical works for the manufacture of sulphuric acid and
Mount Lyell Co.'s Smelters, Queenstovvn.
superphosphates, and other artificial manures, &c. The pyrites
for acid-making is largely derived from the Mt. Lyell Mine. The
total dividends paid by the old company amounted to £996,574.
The new company has paid £1,770,000 to June 15. 1912. Total,
£2,766,574. A strike, lasting eight weeks, which occurred in Sep-
tember, 1911, has given the company a set-back, and operations
were again seriously interfered with by the disastrous fire in the
North Mt. Lyell Mine, which took place on October 12, 1912.
The company has two railways, one from the reduction works to
Regatta Point, opposite Strahan, Macquarie Harbour, and one
from Gormanston to Kelly Basin, at the head of the harbour- At
both it has adequate wharf facilities. The Queenstown and
Strahan line is 31 miles long, 41 miles of which are over 1 in 16
and 1 in 20 gradients, surmounted by special engines on a rack
76
rail alter the Abt system. The Gormanston-Kelly Basin line is
28 miles long. Total, 59 miles. Rolling Stock-seven adhesive
engines, four Abt locomotives, and 200 vehicles. Regatta Point
is connected with the Strahan terminus of the Strahan-Zeehan
Government railway, so that direct connection exists between
Queenstown and the general railway system of the State.
Nearly the whole of this county is withdrawn from sale in favour
of the mining industries, although it includes some first-class pastoral
areas since the scrub has been burnt out by bush fires and arti-
ficial grasses thrown on the surface. At the present time it is sup-
porting some of the most profitable milk and butter supplies, and
probably running 1500 head of cattle, the whole of which are
consumed on the West Coast mining fields; but it is not adapted
to make homes for an immigrant population, as the tenure of
the land is subject to mining interests, and is, therefore, some-
what precarious.
Mr. District Surveyor C. S. Wilson reports as follows: —
Lands Suitable fok Selection.
A good deal of the land in this district suitable for agricultural
and pastoral purposes, and within reasonable distance of the min-
ing settlements, is specially set aside as leasing lands for minerals,
and consequently is unavailable to the settler. There does not,
however, appear to be any sufficient or logical reason why such a
condition should continue. It must be obvious that the mining
industry would be materially assisted by the presence of the far-
mer, and in being supplied with locally-grown products. Too
much insistence cannot be given to the principle that the pro-
sperity of a district which is solely dependent on one industry- -
such as, in this case, mining- would be considerably strength-
ened by the proper development of other activities. Beyond
doubt on numerous areas of the West Coast the work of the pro-
spector should be dovetailed in with that of the cultivator.
As yet there has: not been any selection on I he West Coast worth
mentioning, and during the year the only selection of land for
agricultural purposes has been a few lots distributed over the dis-
trict. Doubtless in time this district will receive the attention
of settlers, tor whose information it may here be noted that there
is a good local market for produce of all kinds. In the opinion of
those best qualified to judge, a fair proportion of the unalienated
land would be converted into sound pastoral runs. Some doubts
may exist regarding the climatic disabilities, but the fears enter-
tained on that score are dispelled, to some extent, judging by the
luxuriant growth of artificial grasses to be seen in various places
throughout the district, and upon which stock thrive and fatten
when shelter-protection is provided equally as well as they do in
districts where the rainfall is normal. Wherever mining opera-
77
turns have led to the clearing of the land of scrub, good teed has
sprung up, providing pasturage for several hundred head of cattle.
Each year is adding to the acreage around the mining settlements
of what may be classed as partially-cleared land, due to the opera-
tions of the firewood and timber-cutters. As a rule, excellent
burnings off are obtained. 1 have previously referred to the benefits
derivable from sowing such land with <_thss seed, and the taking
of a step in this direction recently by supplying the road parties
on the Stanley and llenty tracks might well be made a universal
practice. It serves three purposes it prevents the new scrub over-
growing the tracks after a fire: it spreads rapidly, and gives those
on the look-out for grazing or agricultural areas an idea of the
possibilities of the land ; and it enables prospectors to stay out
longer without breaking into their time by frequent trips to the
nearest centre for stores, as it (the grass) attracts the badger
(excellent meat, by the way) and the wallaby, and consequently
the men require to carry less meat, and are thus enabled to carry
a greater weight of other necessaries. This may seem to some
people of trifling importance, but as a prospector has to spend
at least one-fourth of his time in packing his provisions where
there is no game, it is an item worth serious consideration. It
also has another bearing in relation to the prospector. I sug-
gested last year it would be advisable to encourage him to settle
on the land and prospect the vicinitv between whiles. One induce-
ment for him to do this would be by restoring, in part, one of the
privileges of the old miner's right. Under this he would obtain
a freehold of ^-acre for £10 if he had made improvements to the
value of £50. In the rush for West Coast township allotments
speculators acted on this to obtain blocks for £10 when the upset
price of the adjoining one was perhaps £50, and this was one
of the causes that led to its complete abolition. But were a pro-
spector allowed a somewhat similar privilege outside of surveyed
townships, with perhaps a larger area, he would be encouraged
to make a comfortable depot at some convenient spot. Under the
present Act he can only camp legally on Crown land by virtue of
a prospector's licence, miner's right, or occupation licence; and
none of these give any security for improvements.
No areas suitable for selection other than those already reported
upon have come under my notice. The various areas outlined in
previous reports may, however, with some advantage, be again
referred to, for the information of intending selectors.
In the North and South Dundas and Zeehan mining districts
there are at least 50,000 acres capable, if scrubbed and burnt off,
of growing artificial grasses. It is surprising how prolific is the
growth of English grasses on West Coast lands that have been
properly sown with seed after burning off the native vegetation.
Cattle-raising is an industry that is as yet in an early stage of
development, but the number of cattle in the Zeehan and Dundas
districts is steadily increasing, and consequently there is an
78
increased demand for accessible grazing areas. Here and there
throughout this large area there is some really excellent agricul-
tural land to be met with, which may in time attract settlers.
There is already a large acreage of partially-cleared land, chiefly
in the localities of Zeehan and South Dundas ; and at Ringville
and Renison Bell, too, good feed has sprung up, and a number
of stock benefit by it.
In the neighbourhood of the Colebrook Mine, at North Dun-
das, there is a moderate extent of good land, the position of which
is particularly convenient, being situate almost in the centre of
the mining settlements of Mt. Read, Rosebery, and the X Creek
tin area, and within a mile of the Emu Bay Railway.
About 41 miles north-west of the town of Zeehan, and close to
the old Success pack-track, there is a small area of first-class land ;
and circumscribing the head of the Success Creek, and following
Crimson Creek to its junction with the Pieman River, thence north-
westerly along that river for about 1J mile, the land is of good
quality.
The land in the vicinity of Granville Harbour is well worth
inspection, both north and south of the surveyed blocks. Between
the selections at Rocky Creek and Harrison's and Nicholas' farms
to the north there is about 1000 acres of good land, the prevail-
ing scrub being musk and dogwood, whilst the number of large
trees to the acre is not excessive. South of the Pieman River, in
the Parishes of Leebra and Rotali, there is a large area, ranging
from first to third class land. Still further south along the coast
at Pyke's Creek, and fronting on the Little Henty River, some
good land is to be met with ; and along the Henty River there is
some fairly good land accessible by the Strahan -Zeehan Railway.
In the Parish of Mallana, and lying north-west of the 16-mile
post of the Strahan-Zeehan Railway, the land is of fair quality,
the extent of which is perhaps from 1000 to 1500 acres, and within
easy reach of the railway. Both north and south of the Henty
River there is a very large coastal area that might be converted
into excellent pastoral land by the planting of marram grass ; and
possibly melilot and spear-grass would also thrive here equally as
well as at King Island.
COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY.
This county contains 506,000 acres, which is all Crown land, is
situated in the south-western portion of the island, and fronts
on the South Pacific Ocean ; it is irregularly triangular-shaped,
and extends from Elliot Cove north-westerly to a narrow headland
at Cape Sorell, and is bounded on the north-east bv Macquarie
Harbour and the Gordon River. The lands are poor and low-
lying, as a rule. The D'Aguilar Range and the south-western
portion of the Junction Range their highest points — are less than
1500 feet above the sea.
79
The metamorphic rocks common to the West Coast country
extend throughout this county, which includes the Silurian lime-
stone of the GordoD River.
COUNTY OF MONMOUTH.
The County of Monmouth contains 660,100 acres, of which
608,800 acres have been alienated. From its favourable situation,
and the good quality of its lands, it foimied one of the earliest
districts for settlement in Tasmania. It extends from Cape
Direction, at the mouth of the Derwent, to the town of Oatlands
on the north, and from the head waters of the Little Swanport
River on the east to the Clyde River on the west- Tt comprises
the old settlements of Cambridge, Richmond, Brighton, and Green
Ponds, and the towns of Richmond, Jerusalem, Brighton, Kempton,
Bothwell, Hamilton, Parattah, and the city suburbs of Bellerive
and Lindisfarne. It is intersected by the Main Line, the Der-
went Valley, the Apsley, and Sorell railways, and by the main
road from Hobart to Launceston, and other macadamised roads
to the principal centres. The western portion comprises a large
extent of good pastoral country, consisting of open, grassy hills,
with vallevs of rich agricultural land intervening. It is in large
holdings, and is almost exclusively devoted to pastoral purposes,
for which its value is largely reduced by the pi-evaleuce of rabbits.
The Jordan River, a small stream, rises in the north and traverses
the centre of this county to the Derwent, near Bridgewater. The
Broad and Black Marshes, which are situated along its banks, and
the well-known vallev of the Bagdad, are excellent black soil, and
well cultivated. The same may be said of the river flats along the
Coal River, in the eastern portion of the county, which includes
the fine estate of Campania. The intervening country between
the river valleys is rough and broken in the central and eastern
divisions ; they comprise the Crown lands, which are of a second-
class character. The north-eastern portion is principally in small
holdings, and supports a comparatively numerous population of
industrious and thrifty settlers. The whole of this county is of
coal-bearing formation, consisting of fossiliferous niudstones, sand-
stones, and limestones, with occasional outcrops of trap and green-
stone on the ranges. Coal of fair quality for domestic purposes
has been discovered in many places, and the bituminous coal seams
on the Crown lands at Jerusalem have been worked for years; so
also have the valuable sandstone rpiarries of the Brighton district.
COUNTY OF PEMBROKE.
This county contains 64o,000 acres, of which 2j64,000 acres have
passed into private ownership. It includes Maria Island and
Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, and extends from Cape Raoul
on the south to the Little Swanport River on the north, and from
80
the sea-coast on the east to Pittwater and the White Kangaroo
River on the west. The best agricultural land in this county is
contained in the estates near the Town of Sorell. They consist of
rich basaltic soil. The most progressive settlements of recent
years are those at Tasman Peninsula, Copping, Nugent — in the
neighbourhood of Sorell — and Hobb's Bluff. They have absorbed
the best portions of the densely-wooded agricultural lands in the
county. Of those remaining the largest area is situated
between Orford — at Prosser's River- and Copping, near the coast.
It is estimated that from 1000 to 1500 acres of this land will be
selected for farming purposes when opened up by a fair road. It
is hilly, and covered with heavy scrub.
There are no large rivers in this county. It includes the Town
of Sorell — the eastern terminus of the Sorell Railway — and is
traversed by a main coach-road from Sorell to its northern bound-
ary at Little Swanport. The coal measures extend across the
western portion of the county, with a large proportion of greenstone I
towards the coast.
Lands Suitable for Selection.
In the Counties of Glamorgan and Pembroke these consist chiefly
of lightly-timbered hilly country of third-class quality. This is
being acquired by resident landholders for sheep-grazing purposes.
By the repeated burning of underscrub and depasturing of sheep,
even the roughest country becomes in time of considerable value
for grazing, the best index of this being the continued demand by
resident pastoralists for more land. The proportion of new
settlers is exceedingly small, owing chiefly to the lack of areas
of first-class land as a base of operations.
Coal of fair quality exists in the district, and there are some
fair patches of excellent splitting timber. The industries consist
of rearing store and fat stock for markets, the best market in the
island being situated in the district. Wool-growing is the other
principal industry, and then cereals and root crops, in a minor
degree, and black wattle cultivation. The trapping of rabbits in
the winter for their skins is the principal work of the poorer resi-
dents, and is conducted on a large scale. There has been an
attempt made to export the carcases also. For years the splitting
of railway sleepers was an important industry, but the long haul-
age to the point of delivery is a serious drawback at present, till
a light traniwav is constructed-
TASMAN PENINSULA, AND EAST COAST GENERALLY.
The land in Tasman and Forestier's Peninsulas, which embraces
the whole of the country between Cape Raoul and Cape Paul
Lamanon to the north of Blackman's Bay, is or was, generally
heavilv timbered and covered with thick scrub. This stretch of
82
country, briefly described, is of diabasic formation, fringed in
many places by sandstone, the characteristic coal measures and
fossiliferous limestones. Much of this land is rich in quality, but,
generally speaking, is more or less stony. It would be hard to
find land better adapted for orcharding than the lands on these
peninsulas when cleared and cultivated ; but that is a matter of
time and money, and only suited to those who can wait a few
years for a return and bear the expense incurred in the mean-
time. The best and most conveniently situated areas have already
passed into private ownership, and what is left is not generally
immediately available to made roads, unless in small scattered lots.
For these reasons here again strangers in search of orchard lands
are recommended to make enquiries of private owners, who col-
lectively own thousands of acres of virgin lands which are of excel-
lent quality for all kinds of fruitgrowing and vegetable-raising,
within half a day's journey of a port and a day's sail from Hobart,
which has a bi-weekly intermediate service with Taranna and
many other ports.
Going north from Blackmail's Bay to Swansea, a distance of
50 miles along the east coast, the best of the lands are privately
owned, and used almost wholly as sheep-runs, if we except the
agricultural settlement at Bream Creek of some 10,000 acres, than
which there is no richer land in Tasmania ; an area in the Parish
of Nugent, and other smaller areas at long intervals. The most
important area of Crown land in this county is the estimated
area of 6000 acres reserved for timber in the Parish of Alvanley
between Prosser's River and the Bream Creek settlement. It is
approachable by water or by road through the Sorell and Nugent
settlements. The timber is of good quality, and a number of
applications have been made for leasing areas for timber pur-
poses. Later on, when the timber has been removed, much of
this land will no doubt be sought after. It is infested with thick
scrub, and although generallv of fair quality is not conveniently
situated. Here again it may be well said there are tens of
thousands of acres of first-class fruit country, well situated, with
a climate unsurpassed for range and temperature, lying approxi-
mately between 35 and 70 degrees in winter and 40 and 80 degrees
in summer, now only utilised as pastoral runs for carrying sheep,
while it is fit for and should be devoted to a better purpose. An
example of the excellent quality of this country for orcharding has
been furnished by Messrs Henry Jones & Co., who purchased an
area of some hundreds of acres near the Township of Triabunna
at, I believe, less than £1 per acre, planted it out with appletrees
some four or five years ago, and it is now one of the finest and
most extensive orchards in Tasmania, and yielding a handsome
return for the capital invested in it. The clearing was easy and
done at a nominal cost. Probably the preparation of the land and
planting out was effected for an outlay of £2 per acre. The land
is, as a matter of fact, inferior to, and certainlv not better than
83
probably 100,000 acres of land along the East Coast, which are
still almost in a state of nature, and now assessed at less than £1
per acre. Most of the East Coast land is comparatively lightly tim-
bered. The want of better communication with a market is its
greatest drawback, but the coastal steamers pass to and from
Hobart regularly every week and frequently more often, as well
as the casual sailing craft-
To any one wanting orchard land there are some good sites
adjacent to the Sounds; also around Saltwater River, Wedge Bay,
and Eaglehawk Neck. Reliable information may be had by
intending selectors from the following residents: — Mr. M. 1.
Clark (Wedge Bay), Mr. T. Jenkins (Saltwater River), Mr. T.
Lock (Impression Bay), Messrs. I. Sullivan and W. Smith (Eagle-
hawk Neck).
COUNTY OF RUSSELL.
The County of Russell, in addition to a large extent of agri-
cultural land, embraces a portion of the great western belt of
mineral country which stretches away from Arthur River to the
southern extremity of the island, at the South-East Cape.
It contains 1,140,800 acres, of which 127,340 acres, including
about 125,000 acres of the Van Diemen's Land Company's Surrey
Hills Estate, are alienated, 7000 or 8000 acres leased for pastoral
purposes, and about 200 sections of different areas are held under
mining lease. It is bounded on the east by portion of the County
of Devon, on the west by the ocean, on the south by the Pieman
River, and on the north by Arthur River.
Mr. District Surveyor David Jones, of Waratah, reports as fol-
lows on the Waratah District: —
Lands Suitable for Selection.
Having completed the survey of two 100-acre lots down the
Arthur River, about 10 miles north of Waratah, and run a con-
nection to them from J. Kelly's 100-acre lot, adjoining the west
boundary of the V.D.L- Company's Surrey Hills Block, informa-
tion with regard to this previously unknown country can now be
given. The distance traversed for connection is 3 miles, from the
south-west corner of Kelly's 100 acres. The country passed through
for the first mile is good basaltic soil, covered with large gums,
myrtles, or, more correctlv, beeches, and other timbers, with an
undergrowth of tree-ferns, cat-head ferns, and blue ferns, often called
laurel ferns. The second mile is also basaltic soil, with large beeches
and a lower growth of laurel ferns, the ground having a gradual fall
to the westward. The third mile is still basaltic soil, of fair quality
to Lynch's Creek, which is crossed and followed down to the sec-
tions to be surveyed, and are now completed in the field. The scrub
is dense in places, there being in wet places patches of horizontal ;
84
otherwise the country is similar to that already described. The
land (Crown) available to the west of the V.D.L. Company's Sur-
rey Ffills Block must exceed 6000 acres, all suitable for agricultural
and pastoral purposes if brought under cultivation. It is all
chocolate soil, and practically extends from Lvnch's Creek on the
south and nearly to the Wandle River on the north, the Arthur
River being the boundarv on the west and the V.D.L. Company
on the east. The whole of this land is well watered by numerous
creeks and watercourses. A road with a fair grade could be
obtained to the track cut by the Public Works Department down
the valley of the Arthur River, by following the creek clown that
crosses the north-western corner of J. Kelly's 100 acres, and adjoin-
ing llolloway's 100-acre lot. The main-road from Waratah to
Wynvard, winch is partly metalled, passes through the V.D.L.
Company's land about 15 chains east of the lots surveyed there,
and it would be of great advantage to both the settlers and the
Government if the latter could only see its way clear to purchase '
the land between the Waratah- Wynyard road and the west bound- I
arv of the V.D.L. Company's land. The Government could then
have the lots taken up by applicants fronting on this main thorough- \
fare ; it would certainly lead to more settlement taking place in this ,
part of the district.
Between the Heazlewood-road, from Waratah and Knole Plain,
there ai-e 3000 acres of good chocolate soil. Tt is covered wiin a
growth of large beeches ; the undergrowth sassafras, tree-ferns, cat-
head, and blue ferns. This ground must sooner or later be applied
for, either for agricultural or pastoral purposes. Knole Plain
should also be a valuable asset to the Government, especially when
settlers looking out for rough feeding country for cattle realise the
possibilities of this plain for that purpose. What should be done
with the native grass abounding on this plain is to burn it off as
frequently as possible. Netherby is another plain growing our
native grasses. This is east of Knole Plain, and portion of Had-
field Plain is south of the V.D.L. Company's south boundary.
From lladfield Plain south there is some fair basaltic soil falling
into the valley of the Cue River, some of which has been selected
and cultivated, with excellent results. The Cue flats make an
excellent run for cattle, being fully 500 feet lower than the plains
mentioned. South of this country, on the Huskisson and Wilson
Rivers, there are patches, some of large extent, of good land ; also
on the Savage and Pieman Rivers- On the Magnet Range some
good land exists, and on the high ground on each side of the creeks
that form the head waters of the Ramsay River capital basaltic
soil of some 2000 acres can be Pound. This is at the Wombat,
about 7 miles from Waratah, in a southerly direction. All this
high land is good for feed when cleared . vidt the cleared land in
the Parish of Parrawe.
Near Waratah there are about 2000 acres of good basaltic land,
heavily timbered with beeches. &c. ft is 2000 feet abnve sea-level.
85
Hoot crops do well, but cereals do not ripen well, while bay t'oi
fodder can be grown. Small fruits do well, but large fruits
will not develop. The same can be said of t lie laud at I'arrawe ,
also of the land soutli of the V.D.L. Company's Surrey Mills block,
and on the east side of the Emu Bay Railway. This agricultural
land referred to is also excellent grass land when cleared, artificial
grasses, such as English grasses and Italian rye and cocksfoot, grow-
ing most luxuriantly. Near Waiatab the grasses keep green for
about nine months out of the twelve.
Fruitgrowing, as we understand it, is not a success at a high ele-
vation of, say, 2000 feet, but fruits like raspberries, strawberries,
gooseberries, and currants do very well. In the vicinity of Corinna,
on the banks of t be Pieman River, apples and large fruits grow
very well, although the land is certainly not of the best. This
proves that when cleared land that we have looked upon as being
of little value is certainly the ideal land for orchards, &c. A good
deal of this kind of land could be found on the Pieman Hats, as-
well as about 300 acres on the Savage Eiver near its confluence
with the Pieman River. The banks of this river are only about
50 feet or 100 feet above sea-level, the climate is mild, but the
rainfall equals that of Zeehan or Waratab. The town of Corinna
is inland from the sea coast about 12 miles.
Land suitable for the cultivation of artificial grasses. On
the west side of the V.D.L. Co-'s Surrey Mills block — between
Deep Creek or Lynch's and the Wandle Eiver there is a good
stretch of basaltic land covered with the native fine grass, which,
when ploughed up and sown with artificial grasses takes the place
of the native grass in a couple of years or so. This land is of the
same quality as the Surrey Hills block. Knole Plain and Netherby
Plain are also similar to Suri'ey Hills land, and suitable for pas-
toral purposes. In the valley of the Cue Eiver there are patches
of land well adapted for the growing of artificial grasses. It is
500 feet lower than the Surrey Mills consequently much warmer
and more conducive to quick growth. Laml that years ago was
covered with a dense scrub of horizontal bauera, &c, is now
cleared, and the wood burnt off, anil the English and other grasses
are thriving well; this is especially the case at the Magnet Mine,
and on Mt. Bischoff. It is frequently asserted that no matter how
poor the land is on the West Coast, get it cleared, and owing to
the heavy rainfall, grasses of different kinds will grow. Where
camps have been put up near button-rush plains, and the rushes
exterminated, artificial grasses have in a little time grown, seeds
having been conveyed there by different means.
On the West Coast, between the Pieman Eiver and the Arthur
Eiver, there are exceedingly good patches of land, but not large
enough to found a settlement. These patches, if cleared, would
grow artificial grasses well, besides in some cases being admirably
adapted for fruitgrowing. This would apply specially to the val-
86
leys. Different native grasses grow well on this coast, and as there
is always game about, it shows that it must be a good rough feed.
Mining-
The Mt. Bischoff Tin Mining Company Registered. — Capital
£60,000, in 12,000 shares; paid up, £29,600; to June 30, lylO,
69,033 tons of tin ore had been won; dividends paid to October,
1912, £2,347,500, equal to £195 12s. 6d. per share. Head office,
St. John-street, Launceston, II . Ritchie, manager. Mining works,
Waratah ; J. D. Millen, general mine manager. Smelting works,
William-st., Launceston, F. B. Jackson, manager and metallurgical
chemist. The Mt. Bischoff Tin Mine was discovered in 1871 by
Mr. James Smith, of Westwood, Forth. A mile of railway con-
nects the town with the mine, over which the crushing stuff and
tin sand are conveyed to the batteries and dressing sheds by an
80-horsepower locomotive. There is an electric tram which con-
veys crush dirt to the mills, and an aerial ropeway of a capacity
of 180 tons per hour. There are 115 head of stampers constantly
at work. The average yield of ore per year is about 1300 tons.
The Mt. Bischoff Extended Tin Mining Company, Registered. —
Capital, £16,000, in 32,000 shares. Head office, 17 Queen-street,
Melbourne. J. Ditchburn, manager. C. Lonsdale Smith, mine
manager. The Mt. Cleveland Tin Mining Company, Whyte
River. — Capital, £7500, in 65,000 shares. Head office, Devonport.
P. O'Dea, manager. J. W. Crabb, mine manager. The Magnet
Silver Mining Company, No Liability, in 40,000 shares. Head
office, Launceston. G. Meredith, manager.
The Bischoff Extended Tin Mining Company, No Liability,
which adjoins the Bischoff Company on the west, continues to put
out from 10 to 15 tons of tin ore per month. It has only a 10-head
battery, and this must curtail its work very much ; a larger plant
would, of course, mean a greater output.
The Magnet Mine keeps up its usual quantity of ore won. It
was thought that with a lode from 50 to 70 feet wide a dividend
would have been paid; but the contrary is the case, a call of Is.
per share having been made by the directors. At the Weir's Bis-
choff Surprise, with a small 7-head battery, Mr. Anthony Roberts
is making the mine pay him well, having won about 24 tons during
the last 12 months. This bears out the early reports upon this
property.
The Cleveland Mine has some good tin ore in sight, and is keep-
ing its 10-head battery constantly going. This is situated 11 miles
from Waratah towards the Heazlewood. The Magnet (Victoria)
Company has secured a large area of mineral-bearing land adjoin-
ing its consolidated lease, and the impression is gaining that it has
struck something good after its many years' continued prospecting.
May it be true. At the Heazlewood the Mt. Jasper Companv is
still prospecting, besides two other prospecting parties. At Mt-
88
Farrell the mines keep working, but on a reduced scale. The
Chester mines have had a good run to see if the ore there would
concentrate: this has proved a success.
Timber Beds.
At the Stanley and Whyte Rivers, and near the Pieman River,
some very good patches of Huon pines, blackwoods, and gums
can be found ; also beeches. Fine large gums can be got near the
Whyte River, 10 miles south-west of Waratah. The vicinity of
the Magnet Range has a fine bed of gums and beeches. On the
east side of Knole Plain there is a fine lot of gums, and on the
west side of the forest is chiefly myrtles — or, properly, beeches.
COUNTY OF SOMERSET.
This county is one of the oldest settled districts, and contains
763,300 acres, of which 721,400 acres have been alienated. It is '
about 65 miles long by 40 miles wide across the centre, and extends «
from Little Swanport River on the south to the town of Evandale ;
on the north, and from the eastern mountain chain westerly to \
Lakes Crescent, Sorell, and the Lake River. The lands of this i
county lie evenly, with the exception of the western portion, which
comprises the most eastern peaks of the Great Western mountain
system. It comprises a stretch of first-class basaltic land almost
through the entire length of the county, including the well-known
" Salt Pan Plains " and the Millbrook country, which latter has
been justly noted for its excellence as a wheat-producing district.
The bulk of the lands in this county constitute improved pastoral
estates in their present condition ; but they contain many thousands
of acres of the best agricultural land in the State. They are
admirably adapted to a general scheme of irrigation from the
mountain lakes. If such a scheme were successfully introduced,
the production of cereals, root crops, and pasture would be enor-
mously increased. The magnificent Hocks of stud sheep, which
form a large item in the yearly export returns, and for which Tas-
manian sheep-breeders have obtained such a high reputation
throughout the Commonwealth, have come from the estates of this
county. It is watered by the South Esk, the Elizabeth, the Mac-
quarie, and the Lake Rivers, and intersected by the Main Line
and Fingal railways, the main Hobart to Launceston road, the
main road from Campbell Town to Fingal, the coach road
from Campbell to Swansea (on the East Coast), and
other well-kept homestead roads of less pretensions. It includes
the old hamlets of Campbell Town and Ross, so well known in the
old coaching davs. A belt of coal measures skirts the foot of the
mountain, and a seam of coal has been discovered, but there are no
mining operations in progress- In this county is the Mt. Pleasant
Estate, recently subdivided by the Government for closer settle-
ment.
89
COUNTY OF WELLINGTON.
This county, which is one of the finest in Tasmania, includes the
ttorth-west corner of the island. Tt comprises 970,000 acres, of
which 446,000 acres have been alienated from the Crown. It is
bounded on the east by the River Emu, on the north by Bass
Strait, on the west by the ocean, and on the south by the Arthur
River, extending inland to include the north-western extremity
of the Lake tableland. The great importance of this county from
a selector's point of view may be gathered from the fact that
there is still a large area of first-class land to be selected in Wel-
lington. The greatest advance in selection has taken place in the
vicinity of Duck River and along the extension of the Mt. flicks,
Calder, and Flowerdale roads- The actual settlement back from
Wynyard alone extends over an area of 150,000 acres.
The County of Wellington offers special inducement to selectors.
Large areas of good land remain unsold, and they are fairly acces-
sible. The intending selector is recommended to turn his attention
to the lands in the vicinity of Duck River, Brickmakers' Bay, and
Trowutta.
The County of Wellington is now connected with the capital of
the State by the Flowerdale railway extension, and with the West
Coast by the Emu Bay Company's line, which borders its eastern
boundary.
The area from the township of Somerset, on the Cam— 4 miles
from Burnie— to the Detention River, is under Mr. Windsor's care.
It embraces half a million acres of land well settled upon, and
about half of which is being improved. It is largely myrtle coun-
try, and although it is not on the whole as rich as the lands in
Devon, yet it is well supporting thousands of settlers, and capable
of finding profitable employment for double the number. The
staple industries of this district are potato-growing, dairying, and
other kinds of mixed farming. The township of Wynyard is the
local market centre, but much of the produce is shipped from
Burnie, 11 miles distant A railway is now constructed to con-
nect with Burnie terminus. Owing to the distance back to
the Crown lands here, as in the cases of Ulverstone and Devonport,
strangers unacquainted with the local conditions are counselled to
turn their attention to improved farms in the first instance, rather
than go into the back country, until they have gained know-
ledge of the methods of reducing the virgin forest fo a profitable
state.
Continuino westerlv, the East Wellington district comes into
prominent notice- It extends along the coast from Blythe to
Somerset on the River Cam. It faces the commercial shipping
port of Burnie — the most favoured open port for the other States
of the Commonwealth. The land is similar to that described ;.n
Devon, being heavily timbered, thickly scrubbed, and generally
of basaltic formation, which accounts for its richness, A man can
90
make a good living, and rear a family, on 50 acres of this land
when cleared by mixed farming. The districts westerly from
Devonport are not well suited to horticultural pursuits, but admir-
ably adapted to dairying and root crops. This and the sister
county of Devon have won a world-wide reputation for their
excellence as potato fields.
Mr. District Surveyor K. M. Harrison, reports as follows on
West Wellington survey district: —
In reply to your memo, requesting information of land suitable
for emigrants : —
1. I would suggest the most suitable area in my district just at
present is, perhaps, the Hunter's Island, which should be particu-
larly favourable for a settlement of Scottish or other fishermen,
who could combine fishing and grazing, and perhaps a little agri-
culture.
Three-Hummock Island consists of 23.000 acres, of which the
greater portion is suitable for grazing. I understand the present J
lessee, Mr. James, runs up to 700 or 800 head of cattle on the
island, of which a large number are fattened. The West Hunter
is of about the same size, but contains a large amount of poor land,
together with a good grazing country. The waters adjacent to tiie
coast contain a plentiful supply of crayfish, and also scale fish
of various kinds, whilst the northern part of the West Coast, as
well as the adjacent islands, could be fished in suitable weather,
and a ready market found in Melbourne, about 150 miles away.
These islands are now largely frequented bv vessels owned by Mel-
bourne fishermen. An occasional whale would also be captured,
as 37 washed ashore together on a neighbouring island recently.
I have only been on Three- Hummock Island, and not more than a
mile from the homestead, so cannot sav very much as to the actual
quality of the land, but I have been informed that Mr. Goddard
reported on it on one occasion.
2. T would point out that all the best agricultural country, and
land most suitable for artificial grasses, is situated at a prohibitive
distance from good roads, and other conveniences, and as the
colonial settlers are making no headway under such adverse circum-
stances, it can hardly be expected that emigrants, totally unac-
quainted with these hardships, are likelv to prosper.
I would also mention that the land is very heavily timbered,
and also very changeable in quality, and that very little is there-
fore known of a great deal of the country beyond (lie last lots
selected, so it is impossible to state definitelv what extent of good
land exists.
3. Under the conditions referred to in the last paragraph, the
rnosl probable area of good land is west of the proposed railway
to Hal four, north of and in the vicinity of the Arthur Eiver. There
is, T estimate, probably 15,000 or 20.000 acres of first and good
second class land. The best of this is probably the alluvial flats
92
on the Arthur, probably over 2000 acres, where I have just seen
magnificent grass at Ekberg's Camp, on the route of the proposed
Balfour railway, together with clovers, lucerne, and vegetables of
all descriptions. It is about 120 feet above sea-level, subject to
slight floods, and carries cathead fern, myrtle, treeferns, sassafras,
and a little stringy-bark. Between this and MacKay's there is a
good deal of first-class land — all the land along the track is of that
description — and the country east, as far as Kay's and Fenton's,
is probably first and second class, ranging up to 500 feet above
sea-level, and probably fairly broken. The country on the west is
broken, but of very good quality, suitable for grazing, and a little
agriculture in the one or two places that I have seen. Just south-
west of A. M. Lempriere's lot is a large swamp, and I have no
doubt that a good deal of the flat that extends from that lot
through to T. L. Ekberg's would require drainage. I think most of ,
this land is good, but there are patches of inferior land through it.
There is also some good land north-west of here, out west of Green's I
lot, but I cannot say of what extent ; whilst the land on the south ■
side of the Arthur is of good quality for some little distance. The ;
nearest portion of this area is about 18 miles from Smithton by 1
a nearly level road, of which two-thirds is almost impassable dur- i
ing a large portion of the year, the remainder being metalled.
Generally speaking the land is timbered with myrtle, accompanied
in various places by some of the following: — Stringy-bark, sassa-
fras, three, blackwood, leatherwood, manfern, cathead, black-
fern, celery-top pine (a few) and horizontal scrub. About 3000
acres of the land in question is, however, applied for under saw-
milling applications, and there is a good deal of valuable black-
wood timber on the flats. The soil is either of volcanic or alluvial
origin — the former being similar to the land in the adjoining
parish of Trowutta.
4. In the Brickinakers' Bay district (Parishes of Peegra, Ander-
son, &c), there is a considerable area of good land, but it is also
badly served by roads. There are several thousand acres of first
and second class land there, but it is too patchy to get a large
area with adjoining lots. This is mostly of a good basaltic choco-
late, densely timbered with myrtle and stringy-bark.
There are said to be large areas of good land in this vicinity,
and southwards towards the Arthur, but T have been unable to
find out anything definite about it. T might mention that very
little of the agricultural land in my district exceeds 600 or 800
feet in altitude.
5. There are several small swamp propositions, somewhat similar
to the Mowbray swamp, which will want cutting up before selec-
tion, hut nearly all of them are either partly held under timber
lease or contain good marketable blackwood. and are therefore out
of the question until the timber has been removed.
ti. Tn regard to land suitable for fruitgrowing, I could mention
many thousands of acres about Christmas Hills, Montagu, Brick-
93
makers' Bay, &c, as well as some of the preceding areas, where
fruitgrowing could be combined with mixed farming, but as this
land is heavily timbered, and covered with dense scrub, it would
be far more expensive than the more open lightly-timbered areas
of Spreyton, Tamar, East Coast, &c.
Apart from this, however, Mr. Osborne, the fruit expert,
expressed an opinion that some of the open plains were suitable
for that purpose, and unless he altered his opinion upon closer
inspection, there mav be thousands of acres of land within easy dis-
tance of the settlements, and requiring little or no clearing, that
could be utilised for the purpose.
7. In conclusion, I regret being unable to give very definite
information about any large areas of suitable land for the reasons
noted. Where the country is so dense, and selection has already
extended so far beyond the old settlements, where there are practic-
ally no tracks leading back, and in fact no particular inducement
for penetrating this heavy country, there is not likely to be very
much reliable information available. Where the back settlers are
already so hopelessly beyond communication, or of the possibility
of prospering on their lots for many years, there is naturallv no
demand for good land, and therefore no inducement for explora-
tion. I shall be pleased to give fuller particulars upon anv points
touched on, or upon any other matter, if required.
Mr. District Surveyor II- F. Miles, reports as follows on East
Wellington and part of West Devon districts: —
The principal area of land suitable for growing pasture, and also
in parts for agriculture, is in the Parish of Parrawe, where there
is an area of probably 5000 acres suitable for these purposes.
In Takone an area exists of, roughly, 2000 acres, which is good
second-class land, and well adapted for grazing, but is rather
broken.
Yolla.- There are 2000 acres of land capable of being converted
into pasture, some of high quality, but steep and broken.
I do not know of any areas in the county of Devon, suitable for
either pastures or fruitgrowing. The remaining Crown land in
this parish is of very poor quality.
Mr. District Surveyor F. E. Windsor, reports that in Central
Wellington an area of about 300 acres north of L. R. Griffith,
150a. Ir. op., in the parish of M valla, is suitable for fruitgrowing.
About 700 acres in the northern portion of the Parish of Preo-
lenna, between the Flowerdale and Inglis Rivers, are also suitable
for this purpose.
An area of about 3000 acres now temporarily reserved as being
coal-bearing, is good agricultural land, and to the west and east of
this area are about 4000 acres in the aggregate suitable for the
growth of artificial grasses.
PRINCIPAL LAKES OF TASMANIA.
The principal lakes of Tasmania are the Great Lake, which covers
an area of some 28,400 acres, with a shore line of 56 miles ;
Lake St. Clair, 9500 acres; Lake Echo, 7400 acres; Arthur Lakes,
9000 acres: Wood's Lake, 2500 acres; Lake Sorell, 12,000 acres;
and Lake Crescent, 4000 acres; with scores of lakes of smaller
dimensions. They form the source of the finest rivers in the island
(with the exception of the Tamar), which flow in all directions,
viz.: — Mersey, Forth, Leven, Pieman. King, Gordon, and Der-
went. The lakes are situated in and towards the south-east end of
the great basaltic tableland, which stretches away from the district
of Bothwell north-westerly to Mt. Bischoff, are confined to a radius
of about 30 miles, and command an elevation ranging from 27 vu
feet at Lake Sorell, to 3800 feet above sea-level at the Great Lake.
Snow is prevalent in winter, especially at the higher altitude, which
possesses a delightful and invigorating summer climate. These
lakes are becoming well stocked with English and Californian
trout, and form natural breeding-grounds for swans and wild ducks
of various kinds.
The Great Lake, which is the most favoured resort of tourists,
is accessible by vehicle from the railway-stations at Apsley, Par-
attah, and Tunbridge, and is distant 48 miles from the two first-
named places, and 41A miles from the lastnamed. Lakes Sorell
and Crescent lie along the lake routes, being 24 miles from Parat-
tah and 13-^ miles from Tunbridge. A track has been cut and
made available for vehicles from Deloraine to the Great Lake en
route to Mt. Lyell for tourist and business purposes.
Lake St. Clair, from which the River Derwent takes its rise, is
about 120 miles from Hobart by road, or 80 miles from the Mac-
quarie Plains railway-station. It is about 9 miles in length by
2 miles in width, and stretches along the eastern base of Mt.
Olympus, which rises in almost a sheer precipice to a height of
2000 feet above its surface, and in which the main spurs of Mt.
Ida are reflected on the opposite side. It is fringed by a dense
growth of various and beautiful mountain foliage, and is aptly
designated " the Killarney of Tasmania." St. Clair is one of the
deepest of t he Tasmanian lakes, having a recorded depth of 550
feet. Little was known to the public of the bracing climate, the
picturesque scenery, and other attractions which the Lake country
offers to tourists, sportsmen, and those in search of health, nor
were any facilities afforded to persons wishing to visit them, until
within the last few years. They have been mainly brought into
prominence by the Tasmanian tourist Association, of which the
Hon. Henry Dobson is president, with an executive committee
which includes a number of official heads of departments and others
who take a special interest in the movement, in conjunction with
96
the t- ment in Hobart of a branch office of the world-
renowned tourist firm of Cook & Sons. Accommodation-cottages
are now erected at the Great Lake and Lake St. Clair, and there is
a boarding-house . Sorell. Horses and vehicles are obtain-
able on hire for the journey to the lakes at Tunbridge, Parattah,
Bothwell, and Hamilton. Full particulars of terms and arrange-
ments are gratuitously supplied by the Secretary to the Tasraanian
Tourist Association, Hobart.
Moonlight on the Great Lake.
PRINCIPAL ISLANDS OF TASMANIA.
FURNEAUX GROUP.
The Furneaux Group of islands, of which the largest are Flin-
ders, containing about 513,000 acres, Cape Barren, 110,000 acres,
and Clarke Island, 28,000 acres, is situated in Bass Strait, off the
north-east corner of the mainland, from which it is separated by
Banks Strait, about 15 miles across in the narrowest place. It lies
in almost a direct line between Cape Portland and Wilson's Pro-
montory, and forms one of the links that remain of the mountain
system which undoubtedly at one time connected Tasmania with
the Continent of Australia. The formation of this group is almost
exclusively granitic and Tertiary, with metamorphic schists and
sandstones in places. Tin has been discovered on each of these
islands, but not in payable quantity.
Clarke Island is leased as a sheep-run, for which it is best
adapted. Cape Barren Island, as the name suggests, is broken,
rough, and the soil of poor quality. Some 4000 acres across the
western end have been set aside as a reserve for the use of half-
caste inhabitants.
Selection under " The Crown Lands Act,"' until recently has
been practically confined to the western border of Flinders Island,
where about 10,000 acres have been taken up and are being
improved. During the years 1909 and 1910 much of the useful
land on Flinders Island was selected, and may now be said to
be on its trial.
Some of the smaller islands are exceedingly fertile, notably Great-
Dog, Green, Kangaroo, and Preservation Islands. The sooty
petrels ( I' tiffin us tenuirostris), better known as mutton-birds,
abound, and are the principal means of support to the native
islanders. The young birds are captured in their holes by night
in hundreds during the month of March. They yield up large
quantities of pure oil, and are then pickled for the outside market.
Wild ducks are plentiful, and swans and Cape Barren geese are
obtainable. Chappel, Babel, Storehouse, Forsyth, or Penguin
Islands, and part of Little Green Island, are reserved as " rook-
eries "' or breeding-grounds for the mutton-birds.
From the position of these islands, the richness of the soil, and
the temperature of the climate — for which the latitude, the low
elevation, and local salt-water currents are responsible — they are
peculiarly adapted to the production of vegetables of every descrip-
tion during the winter months when they are unobtainable on the
mainland of Tasmania, and would therefore command a high price.
The question therefore suggests itself whether a profitable trade ;n
early vegetables could not be opened up in conjunction with the
fishing industry. The distance from populous centres, of course.
98
presents a difficulty that would have to be taken into account. It
is of importance to note that these islands lie in the direct routes
between Hobart and Melbourne, and between Launceston and Syd-
ney; they are therefore conveniently situated for trading.
There are considerable areas of good land in patches of a few
hundred acres about the eastern and central portions of the island,
particularly between Brougham, Sugarloaf, and the Patriarchs.
These areas consist of open cutting-grass tussock flats or mixed
tussocks and grass-tree land, having a dark sandy surface
soil from 3 to 6 inches deep, then 6 to 12 inches of sand, with
a clay bottom from 1 to 2 feet from the surface. This class of
land is partially submerged during the rainy season, and is com-
pletely dry for a few months in the autumn. The value of this
land will no doubt be demonstrated during the next year or two
by the incoming settlers, who have acquired considerable areas
of similar country, together with the apparently richer lagoon
lands.
Mr. District Surveyor Montgomery reports as follows: —
Lands Suitable for Selection.
Of the Crown lands, there is nothing fresh to report. At
Flinders Island the large area of grass-tree land is beginning to
attract some attention, and I have received several enquiries for
the result of soil analysis taken some years ago. So far little can
be said of this class of country, as it has not yet been fairly tested
by actual experiment. The area, however, is considerable, and
the land could be brought under cultivation at a comparatively low
cost, and I hope to be able to furnish a special report in a few
months' time dealing with this land.
Rainfall.
[ No official record is kept at Flinders Island ; but at Goose Island,
about 15 miles away, the record shows 79 inches per annum. This
plentiful water-supply does not appear to obtain on Flinders
Island, as the settlers frequently complain of the scanty rainfall,
and they estimate the annual fall at about 20 inches. This com-
paratively low estimate may be due to the rapid absorption of
water during the summer months, owing to the sandy nature of
the soil. The fact remains, however, that the island is not so
well watered as could be wished, and the water in several creeks and
lagoons is brackish, and unfit for drinking.
HUNTER GROUP.
These islands lie near the Tasmanian coast, between Woolnorth
and King Island- The group includes Robbin's Island, 24,450
acres; Walker Island, 1720 acres: Trefoil Island, 255 acres; Bar-
ren Island, 21,000 acres; Three-Hummock Island, 23,000 acres;
99
Perkins Island, 2600 acres ; with the small islands of Albatross,
Steep, Stack, Kangaroo, and Petrel, containing collectively about,
1300 acres. The first three islands named have been granted
to the Van Diemen's Land Company, and comprise a small pro-
portion of fair land, Trefoil being exceptionally good. The most
of the other islands are leased from the Crown for pastoral purposes
at low rentals. Only a small proportion is suited to cultivation.
MARIA ISLAND.
Maria Island, so named by Tasinan, the enterprising navigator,
in the year 1642, forms a prominent feature on the east coast of
the mainland, with which its principal place of communication is
Triabunna, 9 miles distant by boat. It was used as a penal settle-
ment in the forties, of which there are still many signs remain-
ing. It covers an area of 24,000 acres. It presents a bold and
rugged aspect along the north-east shore, the highest point, called
Mt. Maria, rising to an altitude of 2329 feet in about 1A miles.
The best land, which was included in the old settlement, extends
from Port Darlington at the extreme north of the island southerly
along the western shore, and comprises about 1500 acres, 500 of
which have been sold to the directors of the Maria Island Company,
and about 4000 acres purchased under " The Crown Lands Act
by selectors. A large proportion of the land purchased and applied
for was at one time cleared and cultivated, and included a hop
plantation At present some 12,000 acres are leased for pastoral
purposes.
The peaks of Mt. Maria are composed of grey granite rock,
whilst the north-east corner of the island exposes immense masses
of fossiliferous limestone, giving place along the western shore to
diabasic greenstone, or trap and sandstone rock towards the south-
ern end, which is of a sandy and worthless description. Tin, gold,
and silver are said to have been discovered, but in small quantities.
Practically the whole of the island is now available for settle-
ment. About 5300 acres have been selected.
BRUNY ISLAND
(North and South) forms the eastern shore of D'Entrecasteaux
Channel. The island extends northerly from Bruny Head, off
Southport, to the estuary of the Derwent, which is distant 13 miles
from Hobart. It is of very irregular shape, and connected by a
very narrow neck or isthmus at Adventure Bay- It comprises a
total area of 90,000 acres, of which 28,000 have been alienated. Of
the portion remaining there is some good heavily-timbered and
scrub land in the neighbourhood of Little Taylor's Bay, South
Bruny ; but settlement thereon is hampered by the want of direct
communication with a market, although steamers pass daily through
the Channel to and from the capital. Tt is of igneous origin, in
100
which greenstone predominates. Portions of the north-west of
South Bruny, and the extreme south and north of North Bruny, are
of Tertiary formation, in which anthracite coal has been discovered,
but so far has not been turned to profitable account.
Orchards are being planted out at Daniel's Bay, South Bruny,
where a comfortable boarding-house (" Thelma ") has been estab-
lished under the capable management of Mrs. G. E. Propsting,
from whence excursions may be made to Cloudy Bay, with its clouds
of mist caused by the breaking of the heavy surf upon its rocky
shore ; Cloudy Lagoon ; Adventure Bay, with a sandy beach some
6 or 7 miles in length, and celebrated for the variety of marine
shells to be found there, and the lighthouse at Bruny Head, from
which may be obtained a beautiful and extensive view of ocean
and distant mountain. Bream-fishing can be had in a large creek
flowing into Cloudy Lagoon, and Daniel's and Taylor's bays abound
in fish of all kinds.
Information as to Crown lands available will be found under the
heading of County of Buckingham. (See Mr. Radcliff's report.)
SCHOUTEN ISLAND,
which lies to the south of Freycinet Peninsula, off Little Swanport,
is unfit for cultivation, but sound and otherwise suitable for
depasturing sheep. The greatest drawback experienced in work-
ing this island is the inconvenience of boating the stock to and
from it. It comprises 8500 acres of more or less stony country.
THE MACQUARIE GROUP.
This group is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, in latitude
54° 50' south, and in longitude 159° east, distant from New Zea-
land in a south-westerly direction about 600 miles. It was origin-
ally discovered in 1811 by some adventurers from New South
Wales in prosecution of seal-fishing. It comprises Macquarie
Island, about 18 miles in length by 5 miles in breadth; Bishop
and Clerk, 30 miles to the south ; and Judge and Clerk, 7 miles
to the north of Macquarie Island. It is low-lying, with not a
stick of timber anywhere to be found, and has been worked for
years as a hireling and sealing ground by authority of the New
Zealand Government, under the belief that it was a dependency li
that Dominion, but more recently under licence from this State.
This licence has been discontinued, and the killing of these birds
absolutely prohibited. The other islands are of less importance,
but used for similar purposes.
See page 184 for King Island.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE SETTLEMENT
ON CROWN LANDS IN TASMANIA.
Classification of Land.
Under the provisions of " The Crown Lands Act, 1911," (2
Geo. V. No. 64), the Crown lands of Tasmania are divided into,
two classes — (1) town lands and (2) rural lands. The former com-
prise lands within the boundaries of any city, town, or town
reserve, and within a distance of 5 miles of any city. Rural lands
comprise (<t) first-class agricultural land; (b) second-class lands;
and (') third-class land. Town lands can only be purchased at
auction, or, if after having been offered at auction and not sold,
by private contract, within one year after the auction sale. Rural
lands may be purchased at auction, or mav be selected for pur-
chase privately.
Selection.
Any person of 18 years of age and upwards may select an area
not exceeding 200 acres of first-class agricultural land, 300 acres of
second-class agricultural land, and 600 acres of third-class land,
provided he does not already hold land on credit under any pre-
vious Act, or has not purchased the maximum area allowed under
the present Act. A person who has become a purchaser under
this Act of less than the maximum area is allowed to make a fur-
ther selection of not more than two lots, provided that the maxi-
mum area allowed for each class of land is not exceeded.
Survey Fees.
In order to make the payments during the first year of purchase
as light as possible, the Lands Department advances to the selector
four-fifths of the amount of fee necessary for the survey of first-
class land, to which is added 2s. 6d. in the pound interest; the
selector pays one-fifth in cash and the balance by four equal annual
payments. After purchase the selector may pay off the balance
of survey fee if he chooses, in which case a rebate is allowed in the
interest added, in proportion to the unexpired term of the four
years' credit given. For all second and third class lands offered at
auction full survey fee must be paid. This sum is added to the
upset price, and the purchaser is required to pay the survey fee
and grant fee at the time of sale, as well as the deposit, unless he
originally paid the fee for the survey of the land, in which case
it is remitted. If a person is outbid for the land put up under hia
application, and for which he paid fee for survey, the amount of
102
survey fee is refunded to him on application being made to the
Lands Department.
Terms of Purchase-
The price of first-class agricultural land is not less than £1 per
acre, with one-third of that price added as a premium for credit,
which extends over a period of 18 years, the payments being as
follow: — A cash deposit of 2d. an acre at the time of sale, an
instalment of 3d. an acre for each of the two following years,
Is. an acre annually for the next four years, Is. 6d. an acre for
the next four years, and 2s. per acre for the remaining eight
years. For second-class land 10s. an acre is the minimum price,
with one-third added for credit, the period of which is 14 years.
If the land selected is valued at 10s. per acre the following is the
scale of payments: — Cash at time of sale, 4d. an acre; first and
second years, 6d. an acre; and for the remaining 12 years, Is. per
acre. For third-class land the price is not less than 5s. an acre;
one-third added for credit, which extends over 14 years. If the
land selected is valued at 5s. per acre the following is the scale of
payments. The first payment is a cash deposit of 2d. an acre at
time of sale, two annual instalments of 3d. an acre, and 6d. an
acre annually for the remaining 12 years.
Homestead Areas.
Any person of the full age of 18 years or over who has not pre-
viously purchased land in Tasmania may make a selection of an
area of rural land not exceeding 50 acres, at £1 per acre, with one-
third added for credit-
The selector of a homestead area pays a cash deposit of 2d. per
acre at time of sale, but pays nothing more towards the purchase-
money until the fourth year, when the payments for that and
fifth year are at the rate of lOd. an acre, and for the remaining
14 years an annual payment of 2s. an acre. The period of credit is
thus 18 years, and during the first three years the land is held
without payment, except the small deposit at time of sale, and the
annual instalments of survey fee, which in the case of 50 acres
amounts to 18s. each.
Mining Areas.
A " Mining Area " under " The Crown Lands Act " comprises
land in the vicinity of a mining field, and which is specially pro-
claimed a mining area. The land so proclaimed may be selected
as first-class agricultural land, not exceeding 100 acres, on the
terms provided for the purchase of these lands.
Conditions of Residence.
Upon all first-class land selected or purchased under the present
Act habitual residence is necessary for five years, commencing four
103
years after date of purchase, and shall be continuous; but on land
within a mining area the period of residence is three years. In
both cases this may be complied with by the selector himself, or
some member of his family, or some one employed by him or on
his behalf.
Improvements.
All town lands purchased on credit must be improved to the
value of a sum at least equal to the sale price of the land ; so
that if the land is bought for £15, add one-third for credit, making
the price £20 ; then the purchaser must effect substantial improve-
ments to the value of £20 before he can get a grant for the land.
Upon first-class agricultural lands the selector must expend a
sum of not less than 2s. 6d. an acre of the whole area every year
for the first eight years, and when he has expended £1 per acre in
substantial improvements on the land, and complied with the con-
ditions of residence, he may pay off the balance of purchase -money
if he chooses, and obtain the grant deed.
By paying off before the expiration of the period of credit all
selectors obtain a rebate of the added premium in proportion to
the unexpired period of credit.
Second-class and third-class lands must be likewise improved to
the value of at least Is. an acre per annum for the first five years
before the selector can pay up and obtain his grant deed. No
residence is necessary on second or third class land.
Improvements on all lands must be of a substantial nature, and
include dams, wells, cultivation, fences, clearing, or draining of
land, the erection of a habitable dwelling, or farm, or other build-
ings upon and permanently attached to the soil of such land.
Mode of Selection.
When the intending selector has decided in which part of Tas-
mania he will make his choice of land — to assist him in doing which
he will obtain ready assistance from the district surveyors or from
the officers of the Crown Lands Office — he must fill in a form of
application obtainable from the various post and police offices
throughout the State, from any bailiff of Crown lands or district
surveyor, and at the Crown Lands Office, Hobart, and Lands
Branch Office, Launceston.
Having described the position of the land as accurately as pos-
sible with reference to some fixed point, the applicant then for-
wards the form, with the fee of Is. (stamps will not be received
in pavment), addressed to the Commissioner of Crown Lands or to
the Secretary for Lands, Hobart. The application is then con-
sidered in the order of its priority, and if approved by the Depart-
ment, the applicant is called upon to pay in cash one-fifth of the
prescribed survev fee, on receipt of which instructions are issued
to a survevor to mark off the land.
104
The surveyor is required to notify the applicant to attend while
survey is being made, and it is most desirable that the selector
be present ; but if he cannot attend personally he should be repre-
sented by some one else. If through any error on the part of the
selector in describing the land, or by neglect in not attending
to point out the same to the surveyor, he does not get the land he
wants, he would have to bear the expense of another survey to
obtain an alteration.
The land having been surveyed, and plan furnished to the Sur-
veyor-General, if it is found that the land is not reported as likely
to contain minerals or timber of commercial value, and if the Com-
Clearing the Land.
missioner of Crown Lands sees no public reason to object to the
sale, the applicant is called upon to pay deposit, and on payment
a contract of sale is mutually entered into. The selector then
becomes a purchaser, and one year from the date of payment of
deposit the first instalment becomes due, also the next payment of
part of survey-fee, as it will be remembered that the selector has.
only paid one-fifth of the amount up to this time. The balance of
survey-fee is divided into four payments, to be made annually when
the first four instalments of purchase-money fall due.
( ' i. earing Land.
The methods employed to clear land covered with heavy, dense
scrubs such as prevail on the rich agricultural lands of the North
Coast, tlic Iliuiii. Kent, and other important districts — have under-
105
gone material changes since the hardy pioneer settlers of Devon
entered upon that undertaking over 60 years ago. Progress in
settlement was much retarded by reason of the very large amount
of labour expended in grubbing and clearing the land for the
plough during the first year. This would, indeed, bo a costly under-
taking, and, even with the improved machinery and labour-saving
appliances which have been introduced in the interim; but it was a
much more serious matter formerly, representing from £6 to £15
per acre. Experience has shown the fallacy of the old system,
which involved the waste of so much labour and capital, and
that a ready and cheap system, which only requires that bush
land be brought into use in a comparatively rough condition in the
first instance, is the most economical and satisfactory to the settler,
be he possessed of ample capital or only of small means. It will
be readily understood that although the principle is sound, it will
be found necessary, in applying it, to vary the practice to suit local
•conditions.
In a general way — where practicable — it will be found most
advantageous to have the large trees ringed for at least three years
before the scrub is felled, in order that the dried bark, brush, and
small limbs may fall to the ground and be demolished with the
first scrub fire, thus saving after trouble in collecting and disposing
of them by hand-made fires. Scrubbing is generally carried on
during the months of September, October, and November, for firing
in March, which is the month authorised for lighting bush fires.
If the scrub be light — of the " whipstick " or dogwood kind —
a good " burn-off " is almost a certainty under ordinary care, after
which a sowing of grain or potatoes may be " chipped in " with
the hoe; but the process is a tedious one. Should, however, any
material quantity of debris remain on the ground after the general
fire has swept over it, grass-seed should be sown immediately to
catch the first autumn rains, thus preparing the way for a service-
able growth of young grass before the winter sets in. The grasses
most in favour are the cocksfoot, English and Italian rye, prairie
grass, and white clover, of which the firstnamed is almost uni-
versally preferred on account of its hardy nature and the quantity
of fodder it produces, together with the fact that it is less sus-
ceptible to the ravages of the caterpillar, and retains its veraure
throughout the summer.
It will be understood, from the method roughly outlined in the
foregoing remarks, that some small return may be anticipated
from bush land the first year, under ordinary circumstances. It
may then remain for a few years — the exact time being determined
by the quantity of grass it produces — when all smaller timber
lying on the ground should be thrown together in heaps and burnt,
to prepare for the plough, the settler having, it is considered, had
some return for his small outlay in labour or capital, as the case
may be. The average return for a crop of potatoes may vary from
£5 to £20 per acre, and the first cost of scrubbing the land out,
from 8s. to 25s. per acre.
-•=■"»»■ ■ *&hii,-?* - ■ , ;■ „
1- Lincoln Sheep. 2. Leicester Ewe and Lamb.
3. Shropshire Sheep.
107
At the present time there are thousands of acres of virgin forest
land in Tasmania that might be profitably converted into dairy
and other farms with the facilities now available for prosecuting
farming and kindred industries.
COUNTY OF WESTMORLAND.
This county comprises 767,300 acres, of which 410,730 acres have
been alienated. It is situated in the centre of the island, and
extends from Woods' Lake on the south to the Meander River on
the north, and from the Lake River on the east to the Mersey River
on the west. The south-western portion of this county contains
the northern extremity of the Lake plateau, in which lakes: are
very numerous. They are specially referred to elsewhere in this
edition of the " Guide " under that heading (page 94). This
division of the county is utilised exclusively as bush-runs for sheep
and cattle, and depastures a large number of stock- Although the
elevation is considerable (about 4000 feet above the level of the
sea), and the winter climate therefore severe, yet where the marshes
have been drained the stock maintain a healthy condition, and
thrive all the year round on the native grasses. These lands can
never be profitably utilised for graingrowing, but they are admir-
ably adapted to the growth of English grasses and root crops.
The Great Western Mountain chain crosses this county in a north-
westerly direction, of which the Ironstone Mountain, 4736 feet
above the sea, is the highest point. A large area of the best agri-
cultural lands in the State is contained in the north-eastern por-
tion of this county, which includes also the towns of Longford,
Carrick, Westbury, Deloraine, and Chudleigh, with small villages
besides. They all enjoy the advantages of railway communication
with the cities, which are largely supported by the grain and fat
stock produced in this district. The Crown lands available for
selection at moderate elevations lie along the northern flank of the
mountain range; and consist of rough, rocky, steep country, covered
with heavy scrub. Only small patches in the gullies are ever
likely to be selected for cultivation. The best portions are in the
vicinity of the Dry and Quamby Rluffs and about the head
waters of the Meander River.
In this county is situate the Cheshunt Estate, which the Govern-
ment purchased in 1907 and subdivided for closer settlement.
Chudleigh Caves.
The Chudleigh Caves, which are situated in this countv, form
the grandest and most extensive scenery of its kind yet discovered
in Tasmania, situated about 6 miles westerly from Chudleigh, and
about 3 miles from the western terminus of the Chudleigh railway
at Mole Creek.
108
Farming Industries.
Butter factories, some of which are worked in conjunction with
bacon factories, are established at Circular Head, Wynyard, Emu
Bav, Scottsdale, and other places, with numerous creameries
throughout the island. The majority are run on co-operative lines,
and have not only proved of direct benefit to the persons immedi-
ately connected with them, but directly and indirectlv to the whole
of the community, by raising the quality of butter to a standard
of perfection hitherto unknown in the market. Some of the fac-
tories have paid as much as £10 per cent, profit, in addition to
returning a bonus to those supplying the material. The Tasmanian
Storage Company in Launceston mainly draws it supplies from the
creameries along the Western, Fingal, and Scottsdale railway-lines
respectively.
The importance which the industrial factories referred to repre-
sent iu the development of new agricultural districts which are
unprovided with roads for heavy traffic, can only be realised by
those possessing a practical knowledge of their working.
Yields and Livestock.
The following returns, compiled from statistics furnished by the
Government Statistician, will convey at a glance the extent of the
agricultural and pastoral industries in Tasmania.
Cattle at Gunn's Plains.
109
Particulars of Values of Agricultural and Pastoral Produce for
the Years 1911-12 and 1912-13-
Agricultural Produce —
'Wheat
Barley
Oats '
Other Cereals
Potatoes
Other Root Crops ...
Hay
Straw ...
Other Forage
Hops ...
Apples
Pears ...
Apricots
Other Fruits...
Other Garden arid Orchard Produce
Total Agricultural Produce
Pastoral Produce —
Milk, Butter, and Cheese ...
Value of surplus Stock produced
Cattle ,
Sheep
Pigs
Horses
Wool exported and consumed locally
Live Stock exported
Total Pastoral Produce
Grand Total
Grand Total per Head of Population
Agricultural Produce ditto...
Pastoral Produe ditto
1911-1912
1912-1913
£
£
115,433
115,557
35,287
49,099
231,984
263,347
80,1(31
89,482
513,935
435,390
VI 1,752
67,098
376,894
549,237
63,271
85.(1 12
5)4,105
82,382
70,532
It 4,031
263,540
316,189
20,105
29,909
1 1 ,"206
18,691
j 45,396
21,194
2,043,581
2,226,668
426,525
240,900
172,575
84,240
37,500
469,100
59,1C6
451,200
244,399
220,004
61,440
39,636
509,484
60,552
Fruitgrowing, <kc.
This industry is rapidly growing, and now ranks amongst the
principal industries of the State. The export of apples for the
year 1914 will amount to about 2,000,000 bushels, at a total value
of £400,000.
The soil and climate of many parts of Tasmania are admirably
suited to the production of all kinds of English fruits, which attain
110
perfection, aud when well manured are admittedly superior in
flavour to those grown on the mainland of Australia. It is found
that the land best suited to apple-growing in this State is a light
loam, having a clay subsoil, which yields, under a proper system of
cultivation, large crops of fine fruit, in many cases exceeding 500
bushels to the acre.
The forests of Tasmania afford practically an unlimited supply of
material for fruit-cases, and the magnificent harbour of Hobart
affords excellent facilities for shipping fruit. The fine steamers of
the Peninsular and Oriental, Orient, White Star, and other com-
panies call annually at Hobart during the months February to
April, for apples and pears for London and other European ports,
which arrive when the markets are bare, and thus command a
ready sale at remunerative prices.
The fruit industry continues to support hundreds of families,
and to be one of great and growing importance to Tasmania, and is
chiefly responsible for Hobart being made a port of call by the
lines of steamers mentioned, and, occasionally, the fine steamers of
the Aberdeen White Star line- It may be seen from the published
statistics of Tasmania, that during the year 1910-11 the quantity of
apples and pears produced was 1,463,906 bushels, of an estimated
value of £256,184; and there were also 17,595,065 lbs. of jams,
jellies, preserved fruits (including pulp), &c, with an estimated
value of £202,169. Most of the above fruit, jams, &c, was
exported to the colonial and Home markets.
Hop-culture is principally confined to the southern districts of
Tasmania. The industry may be largely extended in the future,
owing to the fact that irrigation is an essential factor to success,
and that the lower country soils, which are admirably adapted to
the growth of hops, may be readily brought under the influence of
irrigation from the vast water supply of the Lake country, which is
confined to the high altitudes of the State.
The production of hops during the year 1913, from 1247 acres
of land, was 1,920,583 lb., with an estimated value of £110,954.
Access to market from the settled portions of the State is
obtained by a general system of railways, consisting of some 680
miles, by macadamised roads, and by water-carriage.
In order to show what may be done in a comparatively short
space of time in the production of fruit, it may be mentioned that
Messrs. II. Jones & Co., of Hobart, purchased privately about twelve
years ago some 6000 acres of land near Triabunna at £1 per acre ;
they have now 260 acres of this area in orchard, and estimate the
crop for this season to be not less than 25,000 bushels. When :n
full bearing the crop will be much greater.
Previous to the land being used for fruitgrowing, there was only
a shepherd employed, now 20 families are living on the estate, wiui
a population of about 100 persons, with 50 to 60 more in the fruit-
picking season.
Ill
This property is now probably worth not less than £25,000.
Another case is that of an orchard planted out by Mr. Robert
Harvey, of Port Cygnet. About six years ago he selected about
700 acres of third-class Crown land near Deep Bay, cleared and
planted out 80 acres at a cost of about £25 per acre. He has now
sold the property to a Canadian for £7500.
Closer Settlement in Tasmania.
■• The Closer Settlement Act " of 1913, provides for the purchase,
by agreement, of private land in any part of Tasmania for Closer
Settlement, and also for the disposal of any unoccupied Crown
land for the same purpose; also makes provision for the compulsory
acquisition of land for closer settlement.
The personnel of the Closer Settlements Board is as follows: —
Mr. Philip Perry (Chairman); Mr. G. C. Rudge, and Mr. A. H.
Burburv. Messrs. Rudge and Burbury are assessors under " The
Assessment Act " of the State.
The following properties have so far been purchased by the
Government, on the recommendation of the Board, during the past
five years: — Cheshunt Estate, in the vicinity of Deloraine, com-
prising 13,397 acres, has been subdivided into 61 farms; Mt. Pleas-
ant Estate, at York Plains, comprising 11,780 acres, subdivided
into 26 farms : Isandula Estate, in the vicinity of Ulverstone, com-
prising 794 acres, subdivided into 12 blocks ; Brinktop Estate, com-
prising 2526 acres, in the Sorell district, subdivided into seven
blocks ; and Frogmore Estate, near Sorell, comprising 1363 acres,
subdivided into nine allotments. Woolmers, 6147 acres, subdivided
into 11 lots; and Branxholm Estate, 900 acres, subdivided into
six lots; also Hillhouse, 2845 acres, subdivided into 12 lots: also
Formosa, 7800 acres, divided into 12 farms. Practically the whole
of these areas are now held under lease.
In addition to these properties an area of approximately 11,000
acres of Crown land in the Scottsdale district has been brought
under the operation of " The Closer Settlement Act," and has been
subdivided into 70 lots. Only a few lots are unoccupied, and it is
assumed that these will be disposed of shortly, as numerous
enquiries for this class of land are received by the Department.
The following particulars as to the provisions of the Act will
afford useful information to intending applicants: —
Lands to be subdivided for closer settlement are cut up into
farm allotments of a suitable size — and not exceeding a capital
value of £4000, exclusive of buildings — and disposed of by way
of lease for 99 years. The capital value of each allotment is fixed
by the Closer Settlements Board. On the areas subdivided up to
the present a rental of not more than 4-J, per centum per annum on
the capital value of the land has been charged, but the Act fixes
112
the maximum rental at 5 per centum. The rental is payable half-
yearly .
Although, in the first place, a 99 years' lease is issued for each
allotment, a lessee may, after his lease has been in force 10 years,
acquire and purchase the land leased to him, provided he does not
then hold land (exclusive of the land leased) of a value exceeding
£1500; and that he has complied with the terms and conditions
imposed by the Act, the regulations, and his lease. At the expira-
tion of five years from the date of lease, a iessee may dispose of his
interest to any eligible person, the consent of the Board being first
obtained.
Persons who apply for land under the Act must not be less than
18 years of age, and applicants who are landless have preference
over those who are not. A person is deemed landless if at the time
of his application he does not hold under any tenure such area of
land as, in the opinion of the Board, is sufficient for the mainten-
ance of himself and family. In the case of the husband or wife,
if either of them is not landless, neither of them shall be deemed to
be landless.
An application may comprise more allotments than one, but no
applicant is entitled to more than one allotment.
The method adopted for disposing of the allotments is as fol-
lows:— The lots are numbered, capital values and rental fixed, and
applications invited — to be sent in on or before a day appointed —
for the various allotments. When more than one allotment is
applied for, the applicant must place the numbers of the lots in
order of choice in first column of application form. A deposit must
accompany application, equal to one half-year's rent on the land
applied for, together with the sum of One Guinea to defray the
cost of the lease. If an application is for more than one allotment
it shall be sufficient if the deposit is equal to the half-year's rent
of the allotment the rent of which is highest. If an applicant is
unsuccessful, his deposit is returned to him. If there is only one
application for any allotment the applicant is entitled to that lot
(provided he is considered eligible by the Board), and his applica-
tion shall be void as to other allotments. In cases where there are
several applications for the same allotment, and all are equally
eligible, then the lease will be disposed of by ballot. There are
always allotments available under "The Closer Settlement Act,"
owing to forfeiture of leases for non-compliance with the law and
other causes, and full particulars as to area, rental, &c, of such
lots will be furnished to intending applicants. Applications for
these allotments will be considered by the Board at any time.
Under "The Closer Settlement Act" provision is made for
advances to lessees, in aid of the cost of draining, er-ecting build-
ings upon, or otherwise improving the allotments ; the total advance
to any one lessee not exceeding one-fifth of the capital value of the
lessee's allotment, nor pound for pound of the sum expended by
113
him in fencing and buildings, &c. Advances are to be repaid,
together with interest thereon at the rate of £5 per centum per
annum, in equal half -yearly instalments. It is probable that there
will always be farms to let under this Act, and correspondence from
intending settlers is invited, addressed to the Secretary of the
Closer Settlements Board, Lands Office, Hobart, Tasmania.
A new feature was introduced into the Act of 1913 by which a
group of not less than three persons may apply to the Board to
purchase a property, giving an undertaking that if the property
is purchased they will lease farms. If the proposition is considered
suitable the Board may recommend the Government to purchase
the property-
Woolmers. Longford.
STOCK-BREEDING.
By T. A. Tabart, Chief Inspector of Stock.
In introducing the subject of stockbreeding into the "Crown
Lands Guide," the perusal of which will demonstrate to readers
the satisfactory results which have been obtained in this State
from the breeding of high-class stock, it is important to impress
upon those interested or likely to embrace this profitable occupa-
tion, that Tasmania has climatic conditions not to be surpassed in
Hereford Cattle.
the Southern Hemisphere for the raising of stud sheep, cattle,
horses, and pigs, and, as a consequence, these are sought after by
other States, which are always open to receive animals with vigor-
ous and robust constitutions to maintain the standard of their
flocks and herds by the infusion of fresh and invigorating blood.
Producers in our favoured State are not faced with the fre-
quently-recurring and disastrous droughts, and with an extremely
high range of temperature, from which the Continent of Australia
is unfortunately continually suffering, devastating the country and
causing ruinous losses in all classes of stock. The weather con-
ditions and droughty seasons in oversea States have not been con-
ducive to fair values for stud sheep : therefore the returns to indi-
vidual breeders have not been so advantageously maintained as
in the past. Change in fashion is responsible for reduced prices at
115
Merino sales. Those breeders who persistently adhered to stud
sheep carrying wrinkles were neglected in favour of those who
exhibited sires with good neck-folds and plain bodies, for which
class a marked preference is now shown amongst breeders. But,
in my opinion, to retain density of flepce the condemned wrinkles
are indispensable in Merino rams.
Merino Sheep.
Although breeders are not exporters, except of stud pedigree
sheep, still the reproductiveness of recorded sales of highly-bred
animals compensates in a great measure for our inability to enter
Shropshire Sheep.
into competition in the world's markets. For a fat stock trade,
our limited extent of country, with the value per acre upon land
for feeding purposes, precludes the possibilitv of profitable com-
petition with either New Zealand or the Australian States of the
mainland, possessing as they do extensive areas of open fattening
country, which require only a comparatively small expenditure of
capital to make them so ; whereas in this State much of the unim-
proved Crown lands would cost from <£3 to £25 per acre to con
vert them into a similar condition.
These values indicate that, without profitable stud-sheep breed-
ing, the interest accruing upon the land value would greatly impede
prosperity. It will be observed from the statistics beiow what mar-
vellous developments have arisen, and how steadily has the exporta-
tion of stud sheep been annually increased, showing unmistakably
116
with what eagerness the Tasmauian merino is sought for at inter-
state sales. This industry in Tasmania has before it a great future,,
and any expenditure, so long as the investor has the natural
ability, perseverance, and fixity of purpose to excel, will rapidly
repay the investment of capitalists whose avocations tend in this
direction. I doubt much, from personal observation, if it is pos-
sible under equal conditions to produce a greater return per acre
for expenditure than can be secured from the breeding of stud
sheep. It would be invidious to particularise our noted stud
Merino breeders, when all breed to a certain standard of their
own, and endeavour to grow ten fibres of wool where originally
only one was produced, at the same time not overlooking the essen-
tial qualification of constitution, type, and character of wool.
One of the most satisfactory statements I have to introduce into
this article, bearing materially upon the success of the stud sheep
export, is the eradication of sheep scab, which was accomplished
by the passing of " The Scab Act " in 1870, and tiie appointment
of a staff of lay inspectors, under the able leadership of the late
Honourable James Whyte.
The following table shows concisely the number of sheep, and
value thereof, exported to the adjoining States for the following
vears
No. of
Year. Sheep.
Value.
£
1871 998 4666
1881 1306 38,305
1891 6591 74,895
1901 6616 36,695
1906 9804 50.232
The low value for the year 1901 was due to the disastrous drought
that prevailed over the Australian States. The following figures,
which may be read with interest and some surprise, bear convincing
testimony to the reasonableness of my estimate of our stud-breeding
possibilities: — The total stud-sheep exported numbered, from 1871
to 1906 inclusive, 153,366, with a value upon them of £1,350,132.
When it is considered that one of these sheep realised .£1600, and
prices for others ranged from £100 to £1000 each, it is easilv seen
what a valuable asset the stud industry is to Tasmania.
THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.
By A. Conlon, Government Dairy Expert.
Conditions.
The prediction in the previous edition of the "Crown Lands
Guide " that the near future would show a marked increase in the
production of dairy produce, has been fully verified. The begin-
has been slow, but being favoured to a far greater extent than
ither State in the Commonwealth with a suitable climate and
rainfall, together with other natural and favourable conditions, a
rapid expansion of the industry may now confidently be predicted,
and a surplus of high-class dairy products be made available
for export annually. The imports of butter and cheese are still
but the tide has now turned, and it is gratifying to note that
the value of exported dairy products (butter and cheese), which
stood at nil in 1900, reached £12,042 in 1903, and £28,646 in
1906. During the season 1913 the amount of butter produced
was 1478A tons, valued at £147,850.
Intending selectors and other arrivals from the mainland or
New Zealand will find the conditions under which dairying is car-
ried on very similar to what they have been accustomed. On
heavily timbered country, as soon as partially cleared, pioneer
grasses, such as cocksfoot and English rye, are sown, and thus
dairying becomes possible, if only to a limited extent, and becomes
a source of revenue before there is any chance of progressing with
other forms of agriculture.
Dairy Factories.
Proprietary and co-operative dairy factories are becoming fairly
numerous, and are all equipped with the most modern machinery,
and managed by expert men. A very complete and up-to-date brick
factory has been erected by the Table Cape Butter and Bacon Com-
pany Limited, at Wynyard. At the end of the season 1909-10 this
company had already distributed £181,942 18s. 9d., and is, at the
time of writing, manufacturing eight tons of butter per week. New
factories have also been erected at Devonport. Scottsdale, Burnie,
Riana, Ringarooma, and Gould's Country. Very little whole milk
is now hauled to the butter factories, most dairymen being now sup-
plied with private separators. The state of the roads, or the want
of them, in new districts, and the hilly nature of the country gener-
ally, have proved to the farmer the necessity for concentrating his
product, hence the system now- generally adopted of skimming the
milk on the farm and sending only the cream to the factory for
manufacture into butter. Unfortunately, this system is liable to
abuse, the farmer frequently keeping his cream too long before
118
delivery, when, owing to unfavourable fermentations having
started, ail inferior quality of butter is made. To obviate this as
far as possible, many of the factories are now inaugurating the
most modern system of cream-gathering. Under this system wag-
gons are sent round daily by the factory for the purpose of collect-
ing the creams from the various farms in the district. Suppliers
in thinly-populated parts, or whose farms are situated at too great a
distance, generally forward their cream to be left at the nearest
point of call by the factory waggon. This system not only saves an
enormous amount of haulage, but enables the factory to secure
cream in the condition essential to the production of high-class
Table Cape Butter Factory.
butter. It also enables the selector in back country to participate
in the advantages which a butter factory in any district undoubt-
edly offers.
Sampling and Testing.
On arrival at the factory all cream is examined, and after
thoroughly mixing to secure uniformity a sample is taken by lower-
ing an open tube into the cream. This tube is fitted with a rod
running its whole length, and carrying a disc at its bottom end,
enabling the operator to close the tube, and so secure a column of
cream, which is thoroughly representative of the bulk. The cream
is run from the tube into a cup or basin, and well mixed. A small
sample is then taken, which should be in exact proportion to the
weight of cream delivered by the supplier, about 1 oz. to every
40 lb. This is placed in a bottle carrying the supplier's name or
120
number, and each lot of cream delivered is treated similarly. At
the end of the week the bottle contains what is known as a com-
posite sample, from which the necessary amount of cream for test-
ing is taken. At some factories the cream is tested after each
delivery, but the composite sample method saves time, and when
carefully carried out, is sufficiently accurate for all purposes. The
Babcock tester is used by all factories, and Tasmanian dairymen
can very simply check the accuracy of all operations, now that
the system of weighing the sample to be tested, payment for butter
fat, and consequent abolition of conflicting butter charts, has been
adopted by the principal factories. The Babcock test is based on
18 grammes of milk or cream being placed in the flask. Owing
to the very slight variations in the specific gravity of milk, it has
always been found sufficiently accurate to measure this quan-
tity by the aid of a pipette, graduated to 17"6 c.s., which will
deliver 18 grammes weight of milk. On the other hand there is a
great variation in the specific gravities of the various creams
delivered at a factory, different samples containing from 20 per
cent, to 50 per cent, of fat.
Charts or tables have been prepared for the purpose of correcting
the errors due to specific gravity, but there are other factors which
make it impossible to arrive at correct results by measurement of
the sample to be tested. Delicate balances are now used, specially
adapted for the work by which the exact weight of cream is taken
for testing, and accurate results obtained.
The total amount of fat delivered by each supplier is computed,
and payment made by some factories on the calculated amount of
commercial butter this fat would make, and by other factories on
the more sensible plan of quoting the price to be paid per pound
of fat delivered. The first method entails the use of ready-reckon-
ing charts for the conversion of fat into butter ; the second is a
straight-out transaction between buyer and seller. If the price
quoted for fat is lOd. per pound, and a supplier during one montn
sent 300 lb. of cream, testing 40 per cent., his statement of account
would simply be, 300 at 40 % = 120 lb. fat, at 10d- = £5.
With co-operative companies a slight adjustment is necessary
to balance the over-run, and this can be done monthly or annually,
as desired.
Note. — Under " The Dairy Produce Act, 1910," which came
into force on January 1, 1911, it is now compulsory that all cream
purchased by a factory for the purpose of being manufactured into
butter shall be purchased on the basis of its butter fat contents.
Dairying Districts.
Particulars of areas for selection and location of districts suit-
able for dairying will be found under the separate headings, for
every county. The principal dairying centres are, however, to
be found in the north of the island. Well-equipped butter factories
121
are situated at Launceston (3), Deloraiue, Burnie, Emu Bay, Wyn-
yard, Stanley, Smithton, Wilmot, Ringarooma, Derby, Pyengana,
and Ulverstone. In the south there are at present only two of
any magnitude — one in Hobart, the other at Bream Creek. In
March, 1902, a dairy company was formed on King Island, and a
well-equipped factory erected ; and this has developed into a pro-
fitable concern. King Island is more adapted for grazing and
dairying than for general agriculture, and should not be passed over
by those interested.
The principal cheese factories are situated at St. Marys, Pyen-
gana, Emu Bay, Devonport, Circular Head, Gunn's Plains, and
Cheshunt. The estimated value of cheese made in Tasmania for
the year 1913 is £14,686.
Here, as elsewhere, a great many nondescript cattle are to be
found in dairy herds, but of recent years very great improvements
have been made, and splendid examples of all the typical dairy
herds are now to be found.
Increased attention has been given by dairymen to the conserva-
tion of fodder by ensilage-making, and several modern air-tight
silos have been erected in dairying centres since the publication of
our last edition.
Pigs and bacon-curing offer a splendid field for investment now
that dairying is making rapid headway.
The fullest information on all matters connected with dairying
in Tasmana may at all times be procured through the Govern-
ment Dairy Expert, Hobart.
Mount Victoria. East Coast.
THE TIMBER INDUSTRY OF TASMANIA.
By J. C. Penny. Chief Forest Officer.
Forestry.
Considering the small area of the island, 15,571,500 acres,
exclusive of islands and lakes, Tasmania is wonderfully rich in
timber resources. A mild climate, with a good rainfall, induced
by a heavily-timbered and hilly country, extensive valleys and undu-
lating lands, thickly covered with an undergrowth of scrub and
ferns, and innumerable rivers and creeks, are all conditions tending
to the production of a luxuriant growth of natural forests. It is
owing to the abundance of the natural resources of the State that
the plantation of exotic trees has never received the serious con-
sideration of the respective Governments from time to time in
power, that the great importance of the subject warrants.
Where good timber is found to exist in any quantities, forest
reserves are created, and these areas are excluded from selection ;
and when applications are received to purchase land for agricultural
or grazing purposes, and the surveyor's reports show that it con-
tains valuable timber, the sale of the land is held in abeyance until
the timber has been removed. The forest trees of Tasmania are
all evergreens, with the exception of Fagus gunnii, an alpine form
of beech, which is singular in being the only deciduous tree or shrub
found in Tasmania. There are about 50 trees which are indigenous
to the island that are described as timber trees, from which some
most valuable woods, both hard and soft, are obtained ; also woods
for cabinet work that cannot be surpassed anywhere, and some very
handsome decorative woods ; but in many instances the trees do not
attain any great size, nor are they obtainable in large quantities.
Commercial Timbers.
The principal timber trees from a commercial point of view are
of the genera Eucalyptus, of which there are about 18 distinct
species, and to these may be added 18 varieties. The chief of these
are Eucalyptus globulus (blue-gum), the habitat of which is con-
fined to the southern half of the island, over which it is fairly
well distributed (it is also common in Victoria), and E. obliqua
(stringy-bark), which is widely distributed over the island, and found
also in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. These
trees are the giants of the Tasmanian forests, and reach a height
of 350 feet, with a clean barrel of 250 feet to the first limb, a cir-
cumference of over 20 feet measured 3 feet from the ground, and
contain upwards of 25,000 superficial feet of marketable timber.
TREE-FELLING IN GEEVESTON FOREST.
124
The other Eucalypti of importance as timber-producing trees are
E. arnygdalina (peppermint), E. rtgnans (swamp-gum), E. sieberi-
ana (ironbark), and E. viminalis (manna-gum or white-gum), all
being somewhat similar to blue-gum and stringy-bark in character,
but in some instances inferior in strength and durabilty ; they vary
in height from 200 feet to 300 feet, with long barrels free from
limbs.
It is from the leaves of E. globulus that the famous eucalyptus
oil is distilled, large quantities of which are exported. A similar
oil extract is also obtained from these leaves, that is vised to prevent
the corroding of boilers and other machinery.
The other valuable marketable trees of Tasmania are : ■ — Dacry-
dium franhlinii (Huon pine), a spreading tree 80 to 100 feet in
height, with a barrel about 30 feet long and up to 6 feet in diameter,
found only in Tasmania. Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood or light-
wood), an umbrageous shapely tree with a dark rough bark, com-
mon all over the island, and also found in the mainland States of
Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. In Tasmania it
attains a height of about 80 feet, with a barrel 40 feet long and
up to 4 feet in diameter- Fagus cunninghami (myrtle), a tree
affecting damp localities, one of the beech family, much branched,
and having small dark leaves, from whence its local name of myrtle
is derived. It often exceeds 100 feet in height; has a trunk 40
feet long, and diameter up to 4 feet. It is widely distributed all
over the island, and is indigenous only to Tasmania and Victoria.
Phyllocladus rhomboidalis (celery-top pine), so called from the
young lateral branches having an angular, leaf -like appearance,
resembling that of celery. It belongs to a small genus, this species
being peculiar to Tasmania, where it is fairly common, and reaches
a height of about 60 feet; length of trunk 25 to 30 feet, and
diameter of 3 feet. Athrotaxis cttpressoides (King William pine),
peculiar to Tasmania, and found only on the West and North-West
Coasts. Atherosperma moschata, (sassafras), a tall, handsome tree,
the bark of which contains medicinal properties, and is used in the
preparation of tonics, and in the manufacture of sassafras beer. It
is common in damp gullies, and is found also in Victoria and New
South Wales. Eucryphia billardieri (leatherwood), also called
salvewood, from the fact of the young shoots having a glutinous
covering to protect them in winter, which is used by bushmen to
apply to cuts and wounds, on which it is said to have a wonder-
fully healing effect. The honey obtained from the blossoms of this
tree is much sought after on account of the excellence of its
flavour. It is only found in Tasmania, and is common in the west
and south-west. Notelce ligustrina (ironwood or native olive), a
very hard, close-grained wood that takes a good polish. It is well
adapted for purposes for which English box is used. It is fairly
common, and indigenous onlv to Tasmania, Victoria, and New
South Wales.
126
Ornamental Timbers.
There are a number of ornamental and decorative woods to be
found in the forests of Tasmania. The most useful of these are
Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood), much resembling red cedar, some
trees of which have a wavy or figured grain, and show an exceed-
ingly handsome sheen when polished. The Dacrydium frankltnii
(Huon pine) commonly has large bumps or excrescences, possibly
caused in the first instance by a blight insect, producing knotty
curves and waves throughout the wood, giving it much the appear-
ance of bird's-eye maple. For cabinet purposes this timber is much
prized. Olearia argophylla (musk), a small irregular tree. It is
principally from the large boles of the stems near the roots that the
wood is obtained. The outer portion of the wood is white, and the
centre a dark-brownish colour. It is common in damp forests, and ,
is also found in Victoria and New South Wales. Gasuarina quadri-
valvis (she-oak), a small spreading tree, having a light red-coloured
wood, with darker chocolate-red streak or slashes. When polished
it has a very handsome appearance. It is common all over the
island, and is also found nearly all over the Australian Continent. \
Banksia marginata (honeysuckle), a low shapely bushy tree (the
wood of which has a honeycombed appearance. It is common in dry
places, and is found generally all over Australia Hakea acicularis
(devil's needle or native pear), a small tree, the wood of which has
a handsome mottled appearance, from which it has commonly derived
the name of " beefwood." It occurs in dry hilly country. Another
of the species is abundant in the Lake uplands, and is well known
in Victoria and New South Wales. There is no trade carried on
in ornamental woods, and with the exception of blackwood and
Huon pine they are not used locally for this purpose.
Timber Beds.
The best hardwood timber beds are found to be situated in the
County of Kent, extending from the vicinity of the Upper lluon
River to South Cape, and at Port Davey, South Bruni Island, and
the Parishes of Bagot and Uxbridge, in the County of Buckingham;
Tasman's Peninsula, Forestier Peninsula, and the Parishes of Kel-
levie and Alvanley, in the County of Pembroke ; the Parishes of
Lisle, Lord, Kamona, Kay, and Monna, in the County of Dor-
set; along the North-West Coast and on the West Coast. There
is also a large tract of timber country on the East Coast, in the
County of Cornwall, where the ironbark {E . sieberiana) is found.
The extent of this has not been ascertained, but it is generally
believed that the area of timber land is extensive.
Timber Trees.
The following are the principal commercial timbers of Tasmania,
with brief description of their natures and qualities, the uses for
128
which they are best adapted, and for which they are most favour-
ably known in the local, interstate, and foreign markets: —
Eucalyptus globulus (blue-gum) — A very strong and heavy
hardwood, varying in colour from a greyish brown in an old tree
to a pale-grey in the young wood. An exceedingly durable timber
for shipbuilding, wharf construction, and decking, piles, jetties,
flooring-boards, paving-blocks, and the manufacture of agricultural
implements of all descriptions. It is one of the best timbers for
railway-sleepers. When dressed the wood takes a good polish, and
is well suited for interior fittings. The wood from young trees, up
to 2 feet in diameter, is used for cart-shafts, spokes, felloes, tool-
handles, and for anything requiring toughness, spring, and elas-
ticity. For these purposes, when seasoned, this young wood gives
the greatest satisfaction.
Eucalyptus obliqua (stringy-bark). — Much resembling blue-gum
in colour and appearance, but not so heavy. It is botanically
identical with the messmate of the mainland, but is much better
in quality, probably owing to the different climatic conditions which
prevail in Tasmania. It is a strong and durable wood in common
use for general construction and building purposes ; also for rail-
way-sleepers, on account of its durability when in contact with
the ground. It is especially suited for flooring, and when waxed
has a very brilliant appearance. It takes a good polish, and is-
commonly used for wainscoting. Stringy-bark piles are obtainable
100 feet in length, and last a long time when placed either in the
ground or in the water. For bridge-beams and decking it is a
good timber, and laid end up it is one of the best woods for wood-
paving.
Eucalyptus amygdalina (peppermint). — In colour a light-grey.
A good durable wood, suitable for piles and posts, and other pur-
poses where required to be placed in contact with the ground. It
is stiffer and less pliant than other Eucalypti, and a good timber
for roofing, also for shipbuilding purposes.
Eucalyptus regnans (mountain ash or swarnp-gum). — The wood
is a very light brown in colour, of low specific gravity, and open
and free in the grain. The timber is used largely for flooring-
boards, &c, also in the manufacture of cases for the export of
fruit.
Eucalyptus viminalis (manna or white-gum). — Is pale-grey in
colour. It is not so heavy as the other forms of Eucalypti, and
does not stand so well when exposed to the weather ; but it is never-
theless a good wood, and may be used with advantage for the
same purpose as the other timbers of the same family.
Eucalyptus sieberiana (ironbark).- The wood much resembles
blue-gum in appearance, but is of a more reddish tint ; a hard,
heavy, durable timber for building and construction purposes. It
130
is considered quite equal to blue-gum and stringy-bark, but is not
known in the market as a distinct timber.
Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood). — The colour of this wood is a
light mahogany, much resembling cedar in appearance. It is, per-
haps, the most valuable and useful of the Tasmanian fine-grained
woods, on account of the multiplicity of purposes for which it can
be advantageously used. It is employed extensively in the manu-
facture of furniture of all kinds, panellings for railway-carriages,
banisters, wainscotings, and interior fittings generally, and in the
manufacture of billiard-tables, for which purpose it is admirably
adapted, after having been put to the severest tests. It is also a
good wood for cooperage work, and its soundness and durability
are beyond question.
Dacrydium franklinii (Huon pine). — A straight-grained wood,
of bright yellow colour. A most valuable wood, which has been
commonly spoken of by expert authorities as being one of the best
woods in the world. It is especially adapted for railway rolling-
stock, cabinet-work, and the highest class of furniture. For ooat-
building purposes, it cannot be surpassed, and placed in contact
with either the water or the ground it is almost indestructible, and
its life may be said to be almost interminable. It is also excep-
tionally free from the attack of the teredo, possibly owing to its
strong resinous nature, and probably for the same reason it is singu-
larly free from the ravages of the many forms of borer that are
so destructive to almost all woods.
Fagus cunninghami (myrtle). — The wood of this tree is of a light
pinkish-brown colour, heavy in weight, close and straight in the
grain, and very free from knots. In character, with the exception
of its colour and its greater strength, it much resembles English
ash. It has a beautiful surface when dressed, and takes an admir-
able polish, showing a good lustre. It wears smooth, and con-
sequently makes a good flooring timber : a good wood for staves,
turnery, skirting-boards, and dadoes- The timber known as " white
myrtle " is botanically the same, and similar in many respects, but
paler in colour.
Phyllocladus rhomboidalis (celery-top pine). — A light grey-
coloured wood, with pale-brown streaks ; a tough, heavy timber, of
an exceedingly durable nature, and fairly free from knots. A
good useful timber for boarding, interior fittings, and implements.
It is now locally in common use for decking of vessels, its non-
shrinking and non-warping qualities rendering it invaluable for
this purpose. It makes good masts for small vessels, and is useful
for purposes where spars of a durable nature are required.
Athrotaxis cupressoides (King William pine). — This wood varies
in colour from a pale to quite a dark pink, and is one of the lightest
of woods in weight. It is tough and durable, shrinks very little,
and is a very good wood for cabinet purposes and joiners' work.
132
A. selaginoides, commonly called " pencil cedar," is another of the
family that differs very little from King William pine in the nature
and quality of the wood.
Atherosperma moschata (sassafras). — A pale-yellow wood, light
in weight, and with a close, fine grain. The timber should be
felled at the proper time, when the sap is down, and should be well
seasoned before being used. It is much used in the adjoining
States by saddlers for saddle trees, and for tool-handles, brushware,
and carving.
Notelcea lif/ustrina (ironwood). The heart of this wood is dark-
brown in colour, and the sap-wood a pale-yellow. A heavy tough
wood, very strong in the grain. It is used for blocks for pulleys,
wooden tools, and such other purposes as lignum vita is used for.
Eucryphia hillardieri (leatherwood or salvewood). — A pinkish-
brown wood, of medium weight, used in the manufacture of tool-
handles, implements, &c. ; but there is very little demand for it,
except by turners.
Sawmills.
" The Crown Lands Act, 1911," and the regulations under it,
provide for the leasing of timber areas up to 1500 acres in extent,
for a term of 21 years, for sawmilling purposes.
An applicant for a timber lease is required to mark the position
of the land he desires to lease, and pay the survey fee in accord-
ance with a scale of survey fees fixed for this purpose. After the
survey has been effected he is called upon to pay a ground rent
of £1 per 100 acres. The lease is issued, and he is then entitled to
commence .sawmilling operfations on his leased land. He is
required within six months after the date of the lease to erect the
necessary sawmilling plant on the land, or on some other site to
be approved of by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. He is also
called upon to furnish the department with a monthly return of
timber cut, and pay a royalty thereon, the amount of which is
fixed by the regulations, and at the present time is 6d. per 1000
super, feet for Eucalyptus timber, and 7s. 6d. for pine, blackwood,
and other ornamental timbers.
In a like manner logging areas may be secured of not exceeding
250 acres in extent, except that the amount charged for ground
rental is a little more, and the erection of machinery is not neces-
sary. This facilitates the obtaining of piles and logs in quantities,
and the removal of timber from areas that are too small to com-
pel the erection of machinery thereon; and leaves the land, after
the timber is taken off, available for selection for agricultural
purposes.
Provision is also made for the leasing of areas not exceeding 250
acres for the purpose of obtaining firewood therefrom. The royalty
134
payable being 6d. per cord for ordinary firewood, and 4d. per
cord for she-oak and wattle.
There are, approximately, 100 sawmills, of various cutting-
powers, at work in the State ; but a number of these are small
appliances with portable machinery, which are moved from place
to place, where timber is found to be most accessible. Sawmilling
operations are carried on all over the island, but by far the most of
the mills are situated in the southern portion, where the greater
quantity and better timber is found.
The larger mills are chiefly employed in cutting timber for the
local market and for export, while the smaller ones are principally
engaged supplying box material required for the export of fruit
and jam. The demand for this class of timber has increased year
by year, 7,000,000 superficial feet being now required annually for
cases, and there is every prospect of a continued increase in the
quantity of timber that will be required for this purpose.
The principal sawmills in the southern part of the island which
cut timber for export are situated at Hospital Bay, Port Esper-
ance, Southport, Recherche Bay, and Adventure Bay, each being
well-sheltered shipping-places, and the larger quantity for the
interstate trade is shipped direct from these places, while timber
for the supply of orders beyond Australasia and New Zealand is
generally brought to Hobart by small crafts, from whence it is
shipped to its destination.
In all cases where a Government certificate is demanded for
timber for export, the timber is inspected by an expert officer
appointed for that purpose, and a levy of Hd. per 100 superficial
feet for sleepers, 2d. per 100 superficial feet for other timbers, and
3d. per 100 feet for piles, is made on all timber examined to cover
the expense attendant on the inspection, with an additional ^d.
when a second inspection is required. All particulars as to the
conditions under which timber must be cut to entitle the shipper
to Government inspection will be found in the pamphlet issued by
the Department, entitled " Tasmanian Forestry, Timber Products,
and Sawmilling Industry."
As a general rule the logs being removed to the mill are situated
about 4 to 8 miles back, and are brought in on tramways con-
structed by the proprietors. In some instances locomotives are
used for this purpose, but in other cases this is done by horses.
The larger mills have steam-haulers where their operations are
being carried on in the bush. The trees are felled, cut into logs,
and hauled to the stages by the aid of steel- wire ropes, from whence
they are taken to the mill, and cut up ; but in some cases, after
being cut into lengths, the logs are brought to the stages by horses
and bullocks. The number of hands employed varies according
to the cutting-power of the mills. Ordinary mill-hands receive
from 7s. to 9s. per diem.
136
Timber.
Certain classes of timber can be removed from Crown land under
licences which may be obtained from Crowu Lands bailiffs through-
out the State. The fees to be paid, and the classes of timber and
other material that may be removed, are shown in the table of fees
below. Timber licences do not apply to any lands that are leased
from the Crown except with the written permission of the Com-
missioner.
Scale of Fees.
Licence to Cut Timber for a Period.
Split timber — Fee for each person employed — ■
Split fence-posts and fence-
rails 10s. per month.
Split palings 10s. per month.
Split shingles 10s. per month.
Split staves (wattle) £1 per month.
Split staves (blackwood) £1 5s. per month.
Cut firewood 5s. per month, except in the
Municipalities of Zeehan,
Queenstown, Waratah, and
Beaconsfield, where the fee
for each person employed
Hewn or squared timber — shall be 3s. per month.
Hew or square sleepers 15s. per month.
Hew or square beams £1 10s. per month.
Spar or round timber —
Cut piles £1 2s. for 14 days, or £2
per month
Cut telegraph-poles £1 2s. for 14 days, or £2
per month
Cut scaffold-poles lis. for 14 days, or £1 per
month .
Cut hop-poles lis. for 14 days, or £1 per
month
Timber in the log (which shall
not include piles, poles, and
beams) —
Cut eucalyptus £1 per month.
Cut blackwood £3 per month.
Cut other ornamental timber... £3 per month
Miscellaneous — -
Burn charcoal from ordinary
timber 2s. 6d. per week.
Quarry stone, make bricks, pot-
tery, and earthenware 2s. 6d. per week.
Procure shells, sand, gravel,
earth, slack, guano, etc ... 5s. per week.
Cut brushwood or scrub 5s. ner month.
137
per 1000 super, feet,
per 1000 super, feet.
Licence to Cut under Royalty.
Rale of Royalty
Squared or round piles, bridge-
beams, and girders 2s.
Squared sleepers 2s.
It shall be at the discretion of the Commissioner to determine
whether piles (squared or in the round), bridge-beams, girders, and
squared sleepers may be cut on payment of royalty or licence iees.
A licence to cut timber under royalty may be issued for any
period not exceeding three months, upon payment of a fee of Two
Shillings and Sixpence.
State Forest Nursery.
A State Nursery has been established, and is located at present
at the State Farm near Deloraine. The administration is under
the control of the Director of Agriculture and the Forestry Expert
of the Department (Mr. J. Osborne). At present the raising
of conifers and the different varieties of deciduous trees from the
Northern Hemisphere is carried on, and the trees are distributed
to public bodies for street ornamentation and embellishment of
State reserves. State schools are supplied free of charge.
Farm Horses.
138
LIST OF TASMANIAN
Local Name.
Beech or Myrtle
BlKCU
Black Wattle
Blackwood
boobyalla
Box, Native
Dogwood
Gum, Blue
„ Cider
„ ironbark
„ Mueller's
„ peppermint
„ Red
„ Stringy- bark
„ Topped stringy-
BARK
Swamp
„ Weeping
„ White
Bull-Oak
Holly or Coffee Plant
Honeysucklk
Horizontal
I RON wood
Laburnum
Lance wood
Laurel, Native
Leather woo i i
Mint-Tree
Musk
Native Cherry
Native Currant
„ Peak
Pepper
Pine, Celery-topped
„ HUON
„ King William
„ Oyster Bay
Pinkwood
Pricklv Mimos *
Sassafras
Scent wood
She-Oak
Silver Wattle
Tea-Tree
Warataii
White Waratah
Whitewood
TALLOW-wiiciii
Corylaceae
Sapmdeae
Leguminosae
Myoporaceas
Leguminosse
Pittosporeae
Rhamneae
Mvrtaceae
Casuarineae
Rubiaceae
Proteaceae
Sa.xifrageas
Oleaceas
Leguminosae
j Rutaceae
I Saxifrage*
„
Labia tos
Composite
Santaleae
Rubiaceae
Epaerideae
Santaleae
Proteaceas
Magnolieae
Coniferae
Euptiorbiaceae
Leguminosae
Monlmiaceae
Apocynese
Casuarinese
Leguminosae
Myrtaceae
Proteaceae
Pittosporeae
Species.
Approximate length
and diameter of trunk.
Fagus cunninghami
Dodonaea viscosa
Acacia decurreus
„ melanoxylon
Myoporum insulare
Acacia longifolia
Bursaria spinosa
Pomaderris apetala
Eucalyptus globulus
., gunnii
„ sieberiana
„ muelleri
„ amygdalina
„ acervula
„ obiiqua
haamastoma ? )
amygdalina var. f
„ reguans
coriacea )
„ pauciflora j
„ viminalis
Casuai'ina suberosa
Coprosma hirtella
Banksia marginata
Anodopetalum biglandulosum
Notelaea lignstrina
Goodia latifolia
Eriostemon aquameus
Anopterus glandulosus
Eucryphia billardieri
Prostanthera lasianthes
Olearia argophylla
Exocarpus oupressiformis
Coprosma microphylla i
Lupcopogon richei
Leptomeria billardieri )
Hakea acicularis
Drimys aromatica
Phyllocladus rhomboidalis
Dacrydium franklinii
Athrotaxls selaginoides
Frenela rhomboldea
Beyera viscosa
Acacia diffusa
Atherosperma moschata
Alyxia buxifolia
( 'asuarina quadri valvis
Acacia dealbata
Leptospermum lauigerum
Kunzea corifolla
Melaleuca gibbosa
„ squarosa
„ ericaefolia
Telopea truncata
Agastachys odorata
Pittosporum bicolor
40 ft, x 2 ft, to 4 ft,
3 ft. x 6 in.
12 ft. x 1 ft. 6 in.
30 ft. x 2 ft. to 4 ft.
3 ft. x 6 in. )
4 ft. x 8 in. j
6 ft. x 1 ft. 6 in.
10 ft, x 10 in.
120 ft. x 2 ft. to 6 ft.
20 ft. x 2 ft,
40 ft. x 4 ft.
80 ft. x 3 ft.
100 ft. x 3 ft, to 6 ft.
60 ft. x 3 ft.
120 ft, x 3 ft. to 6 ft.
100 ft.
X 3 ft. to 4 ft
100 ft
x 3ft. to 8ft.
10 ft.
» 2 ft.
80 ft.
x 3 ft. to 6 ft.
4 ft,
x 1 ft.
3 ft.
x 6 in.
6 ft.
x 1 ft. to 2 ft.
12 ft.
x 10 in.
12 ft,
x 1 ft. 6 in.
3 ft.
x 6 in.
20 ft,
x 8 in.
3 ft.
x 6 in
10 ft.
x 1 ft.
3 ft.
x 6 iii.
6 ft.
x 1 ft, (i in.
6 ft.
x 1 ft.
3 ft.
x ti in.
12 It,
x 1 ft, 6 in.
6 ft.
X 1ft.
25 ft.
x 1 ft. to 3 ft.
30 ft.
x 2 ft, to 6 ft.
30 ft,
x 1 ft, to 6 ft.
10 ft.
x 6 in. to 1 ft
12 ft.
x 1 ft,
4 ft.
X l! ill.
15 ft.
X 1 ft. to 3 ft.
3 ft.
x 3 in. to 6 in.
6 ft.
x 1 ft. 6 in.
12 ft.
x 1 ft, 6 in.
10 ft.
x 6 in.
10 ft.
x 6 in.
10 ft.
x 6 in.
10 ft,
x 1 ft.
20 ft.
X 2 ft.
3 ft.
x 6 ill.
3 ft.
x 6 in.
6 ft
x 1 ft.
139
TIMBER TREES.
Well
Specific
Gravity.
Well'
seasoned.
•62- -85
sea-
soned
samples.
Weight
per
cubic ft.
lbs.
39-54
•9
•616
56
37-40
•837
•744
52
46
•84-1-09
•700
•896
1-001
•75-1-039
1-052
•77-1-05
52-68
44
55-60
63
46-65
66
48-66
•776--S
48-51
•776-85
48 54
•7--7C
44-48
•863
51
■675
•700
■S75
42
44
58
:801
50
:7
42-44
•675
•790
42
49
Remarks as to use. &c.
•65--7
•529
< 336-- 385
•625
75
652
663
775 [
801
652
801
41-44
33
21-24
39
47
41
'4i
J 8-49
50
varieties, red and
^General carpentry, coopers' work, f urn Hun
white. Plentiful,
JTnrnery, inlaying, Ac. Oommon.
( )rnamental wood, with variety of colours. Common.
A handsome joiners' and cabinet-makers' wood. Common.
Tough, suitable for wooden hoops, <&c. Common on coast.
Turners. Engraving blocks, <&c. Common.
Mathematical instruments, cabinet and turners' work. • Oommon in
north.
Buildings, railways, bridges, furniture, Ac. Plentiful.
Inside work.
Buildings, railways, bridges, furniture, Ac. Plentiful.
Most durable, suitable for all purposes. Plentiful.
Suitable lor carpenters, joiners, house fittings, floors, Ac. Plentiful.
Plentiful. Very strong wood for interior building work.
Oommon. Carpentry and fencing.
For carpenters, joiners, house fittings, floors. Ac. Plentiful.
Cabinetmakers' and ornamental work ; bold figure. Common.
Cabinetmakers' and ornamental work. Common.
A tough clastic wood for implements, tools, &c, Common,
Pulleys and bearing blocks, similar to lignum ritac. Common N.B.
Tuinery and inlaying.
Turnery and implements. Common.
Ornamental work. [Coast.
Alight, tough, and elastic wood for implements, Ac. Common West
Ornamental work.
Handsome wood for joiners' and cabinet-work. Common.
A red- brown wood for cabinet work. Common.
Turnery and tools : handsome grain. Common.
Turnery, Ac.
Common North and West.
A dense, strong pine : general carpentry. Oommon N. and W.
Durable pine, often handsomely figured. Common W. Coast.
Extremely light, strong, straight-grained. Common W. Coast.
A strong pine for framing, poles, &c. ; very durable. Local, East
Tools, turnmy, Ac. [Coast.
Ornamental and implements.
Plain, light-coloured, good for carving if felled in the winter. Corn-
A sweet-scented wood for sachets, Ac. Local, North Coast. [mon.
A handsome, ornamental wood for cabinet-work. Common.
Straight-grained, elastic wood, of general utility. Common.
A tough wood for implements, tools, Ac. Common.
Turnery and inlaying.
Engravers, & .
PREPARING CROWN LAND FOR
ORCHARD PURPOSES.
By J. Osborne, Horticultural Instructor.
Preparing Crown land for orchard purposes is not the laborious
and expensive operation it once was, the advent of the stump-
extractor, " forest devil," " Trewhella jack," Samson tree-puller,
&c, having simplified the work very materially. Heavily-timbered
country may now be brought under cultivation at something like
half the previous cost. In many cases, too, the timber when cut up
and sold for firewood realises a sum that goes a long way towards
covering the cost of clearing.
To be successful as a fruitgrower, the land in the first place must
be thoroughly cleared, all stumps and roots being removed to a
depth of 1 foot.
All waste timber and other material should be burnt, the ashes
from the fires being afterwards spread evenly over the surface of
the soil. The heaps produced by the upheaval of the large trees
should be spread out on the land, leaving the surface even. If
possible, avoid planting young trees in such places, and if it is
unavoidable, the soil should be taken out to a depth of 18 inches
and replaced with material that has been well exposed to the sweet-
ening influence of the air.
If the land is very wavy or undulating, it would be well to grade
it down. This will make the subsequent working of the orchard
much more pleasant, and save time. Where the locations are too
far removed to enable a sale of the timber to be made, it is cus-
tomary to dispose of it by means of large fires. The timber is
"logged" up into very large heaps and fired. "Logging" up
consists of drawing the logs, after being cut into suitable lengths,
into large heaps with the aid of a strong team of bullocks. The
work should be done during the dry season, January, February,
March, and April being the most suitable time. It often happens
that the settler is unable to burn the timber when clearing ; in such
cases it is usual to draw it off to another portion of the selection
and to dispose of it at leisure.
The land is now ready for fencing, the nature of which depends
on the situation. If hares and rabbits are to be found in the
neighbourhood, it becomes necessary to erect what is known as
a " rabbit-proof " fence — composed of fine No. 10 galvanised
wires, with wire-netting 3 feet 6 inches high, 6 inches of which is
turned under the soil in order to prevent the rabbits burrowing.
To make a strong fence the posts should not be more than 10 feet
142
apart, with stout wooden droppers (to which the wires are
attached) placed 2 feet 6 inches apart. This kind of fence costs
£20 to £27 10s. per mile, the posts and droppers usually being
obtained on the selection.
The ploughing of the land may now be commenced, a strong
heavy disc plough, drawn by a good stout team of bullocks, being
most suitable. After being in fallow for a few months cross-
ploughing will be necessary, to be followed by the disc-harrow,
in order to reduce the land to a fine tilth.
Attention may now be directed to the draining off of surplus
moisture. Furrows may be drawn with an ordinary swing-plough
to a depth of from 8 to 12 inches and 15 inches wide, to be cleaned
out with a spade, in order to provide a free run for the storm-
water. In some situations underground draining is necessary — -
earthenware tiles, box-drains, stone or French drains, and in some
cases deep cuttings are made to carry off the surplus moisture,
These are filed with logs and covered with brushwood (in order
to prevent the soil running through), and then filled in. This is
a very rough way of doing the work, and while such drains will
take a deal of water off the land, the tile drains have been proved
to be the most profitable, and, it is only fair to say, also the most
expensive to put down. But once laid they are " everlasting."
The settler, if the choice of country is permitted, should settle
on stringy-bark (Eucalyptus obliqua) land. This is usually light
loam on the surface, which renders the working easy, with a sub-
soil of rich granular clay — ideal for fruitgrowing. Many orchards
have been planted on the poorest soils of the State, and are doing
remarkably well, the land having been built up by the addition,
in the first place, of good lime (50 to 60 bushels, newly burnt, to
the acre), followed by the turning under of green crops and the
intelligent application of artificial fertilisers. Where marl is
obtainable it would be well to add 25 to 30 tons per acre, to be
ploughed in before the trees are planted. In all cases care should
be taken to remove as far as possible all roots, those left being a
menace to the young trees, harbouring as they do the spores of
several varieties of fungus that are injurious to plant life.
All trees left standing near the fence should be ringed, a strip
of not less than 1 chain in width being treated. This will allow
light and air to reach the orchard in fairly even quantities at all
points.
THK AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.
By H. J. Coi,B(»ui:n, Government Agricultural Expert and Chemist.
Conditions.
The facts which determine agricultural conditions in Tasmania
are, as in other countries, chiefly climate, soil, the cost of labour,
and available markets.
Climate.
The climate of Tasmania, for salubrity and agreeableness, takes
front rank in respect of its influence upon both the human subject
and farm stock, notwithstanding the fact that it is somewhat vari-
able in character. Speaking generally, it is bracing, and is par-
ticularly favourable to those who have resided long in hot climates;
also, the great age frequently attained by those who have formerly
immigrated from the Old Country is ample proof of its beneficial
effect upon the human constitution. Extreme cold is unknown, and
very hot weather is seldom experienced, nor is it of long duration
when it does come. The nights, even in the summer, are almost
always cool and invigorating, whatever the temperature may have
been during the day. In winter little protection is afforded
to stock, and not much yard-folding is practised, animals being
allowed to graze in the open, frequently without access to any shelter
whatever, a system which has nothing to recommend it but that
cheapness which is so often false economy ; for, notwithstanding
the comparative mildness of the winter, much damp and stormy
weather is often experienced at this season, and stock would come
out in much better condition in the spring than they generally
do if shelter and a little extra food were afforded them.
No country, except perhaps New Zealand, is so well adapted for
the rearing of stud stock, a branch of the agricultural industry
which those who have a taste for it, together with the necessary
capital and judgment, might follow with great advantage and
profit.
The high prices frequently obtained for Tasmanian-bred rams
and the admitted superiority of the wool of this country over that
produced in the States of the mainland point to the equability and
salubrity of its climate.
The rainfall is usually ample, but owing to the diverse physical
conditions of the country it varies greatly locally. Dry seasons
occasionally occur, but prolonged spells of drought, such as occur
upon the mainland, are unknown. Speaking generally, the rain-
fall is light upon the east coast of Tasmania, becoming progres-
sively heavier until a maximum is reached upon the west side of the
island, where any long continuance of dry weather is rarely experi-
144
enced. I Tasmania is upon the whole a breezy climate, especially in
(^ the summer months, and the winds which frequently occur then
exert a great evaporating power, which is liable to dry out the
surface soil unless surface-stirring is practised for the purpose of
J moisture retention. The greatest cold in winter time is experienced
upon the elevated plateau forming the centre of Tasmania, where
| snow is frequently experienced at that season, though it does not
lie long upon the ground. In this region late spring and summer
/ frosts sometimes occur, rendering the growth of potatoes and other
/ tender crops risky, though in other respects this section of the
country is upon the whole dry and particularly healthy to live in,
as is shown by the medical advice frequently given to consumptive
\ patients to take up their residence in it.
Soils.
The soils of Tasmania are very variable, ranging as they do from
those of the highest fertility in the basaltic districts of the north-
east and north-west coasts to the poor and rocky sheep pastures of
the midlands and east coast. Much land, however, which was at
one time looked upon as not worth the trouble of cultivating has
been brought into successful tillage, and much land of similar
character remains to be dealt with for mixed agriculture in the
comparatively cold Midland districts, or for fruit where warmer
conditions prevail. The surface soils in most parts of the country
are light in texture, but are frequently characterised by a strong
clay subsoil found at a varying depth of from G inches to 2 or 3
feet. The division of the surface and subsoil in these circumstances
is frequently very sharply defined, and further scientific investiga-
tion is needed to fully account for the condition. The subsoil clay
when examined is found to be in a non-flocculated or highly colloid
condition, in which state, if stirred up in water, it remains sus-
pended in the latter for days together. Clay thus physically con-
stituted washes away very easily, and would consequently be car-
ried by rain off the surface layer of the soil, leaving the latter
destitute, or nearly so, of clay ; or it might be conveyed to lower
depths as the water sank downwards. Then again, in countries
with a dry summer climate, earth-worms do not come near the
surface to deposit their casts, and thus bring about an equalization
of the texture of the soil, as they do where sufficient moisture pre-
vails. Here then we have another possible factor in the case,
though the colloid condition of the clay has probablv most to do
with it. This is further confirmed by the general deficiency of lime
in Tasmanian soils, lime having the property of flocculating clay,
thus rendering it less liable to be carried off by water. A simple
experiment proves this, for if a small quantity of freshly-slaked
lime is mixed with water turbid with suspended clay, the latter
will go down in a few minutes, leaving the water clear and trans-
146
parent. The surface soils are for the reasons mentioned light in
texture and easy to work, but are liable to dry up quickly. In the
case of a farm where I took a number of samples of soil for analy-
sis the surface soils had a large amount of clay in their composi-
tion, and it was interesting to note that both these and the sub-
soils contained an unusual amount of lime in their composition, the
existent condition in this case bearing out the action of lime in pre-
venting surface denudation. The beneficial action of lime upon
soils in this particular, and in promoting friability where, as in
the case of clay soils, this is desirable, is being more and more
recognised in Tasmania, though, on account of the cost of this
material, the conviction is not always acted upon as it should be.
Limestone formations of great thickness and high-grade charac-
ter exist in Tasmania at many points more or less convenient for
distribution, and great efforts are being made by the Department
of Agriculture to impress the farmers and orchardists with the
importance of using lime on their land, in order that a demand
may be brought about for this material and thus an inducement
be offered to those willing to undertake the work of burning or
grinding the limestone. Experiments undertaken by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture have proved the utility of ground limestone
upon the soils of Tasmania, the chief drawback so far to its
use being the difficulty experienced in getting the whole of the
material ground to a sufficient degree of fineness to be economically
used. Efforts at improvement in this direction are being made,
and no doubt an article of better value will before long be prepared.
Soils that have been long under cultivation are frequently found
to be very deficient in organic matter or humus, the decomposition
of the latter proceeding with far greater rapidity than is the case
in damper climates. The fact that very little farmyard manure
is made and applied to the land in Tasmania is one reason why
the humus content of the soil is not maintained ; also the wearing-
out of this important constituent is the chief cause of the soils in
the older-settled districts losing that healthy physical texture which
alone enables them to better resist the effects of prolonged drought
and to keep up a sustained yield of produce. The non-housing of
stock in winter, previously mentioned, and the slovenly methods
of cultivation practised in too many cases having charged much of
the long occupied land with noxious weeds make it apparently
unnecessary, on the one hand, to produce farmyard manure, and,
on the other hand, undesirable, if the land is not to be further
stocked with pests, as clean straw for litter is not always easy to
obtain. There is also the question of labour, so that the replenish-
ment of the soil with humus by means of farmyard manure, which
is the chief means of doing this in the countries of Europe, cannot
be practised to any large extent in Tasmania. The only really
economical means at hand, therefore, to effect the renovation of the
soil is the ploughing in of green crops or the laying down of the
147
land to rough pasture tor as many years as the case may demand.
The depredations of the grass-grub make the laying down of land
to grass for more than three years a risky business except in the
more humid districts. The crop to be ploughed in should be legu-
minous, in order that the soil may be enriched by the atmos-
pheric supplies of nitrogen which this class of plants is able to
appropriate, provided they are furnished with an adequate supply
of mineral plant food. The system of green-crop manuring has
long been carried out by the leading orchardists, but so far has
commonly been neglected by the ordinary farmer, who considers the
practice wasteful, forgetting the greatly increased productive power
of his soil for several years which would result.
The value of deep cultivation of the soil as a means for moisture-
conservation and obtaining an increased amount of plant food is
not much recognised in this country, or, at least, acted upon as it
should be. The recent introduction of explosives for use in under-
ground tillage appears likely to be productive of good results, but
not much has been done in this direction as yet. Draining, too,
needs more attention than it commonly receives. Probably the use
of explosives would be a cheap means of improving the subsoil
drainage of the soils of Tasmania.
Unalienated Lands.
The unalienated fertile districts of the country are for the most
part very heavily timbered, and where this is the case the clearing
involves much labour, and it is long before the land is sufficiently
clear of logs and stumps for tillage operations to be carried on,
except in a very rough way. Land selectors generally, however,
prefer sections covered with the original timber rather than those
which have been partially cleared by timber selectors, who take
the best trees and leave only those which are useless, and which
are equally hard to cut down, but make no return for the trouble ;
whereas a supply of good timber, if near enough to a road, con-
siderably helps out the first expenses of clearing.
Crops.
With regard to the crops usually grown, it may be stated that on
account of the low prices which have ruled for some years for
wheat, this cereal is not grown to the extent that it formerly was.
Oats are more in favour owing to their better adaptability to the
soil and climate, and to the fact that, if desired, the crop can be
cut for hay, which, during the South African war, was extensively
grown for export, though, of course, the demand for fodder
of this description has much diminished. The Algerian oat is much
cultivated, as it not only yields a good crop of forage for hay,
but may be grazed for six weeks or two months prior to making its
growth for the main crop.
148
Barley, except for fodder (and for this purpose the Cape variety
is used), is not grown to the extent that it might be, and probably
will be, with the increased development of the brewing interest.
The best samples only, of course, are required for malting, and the
difficulty of disposing of grain of inferior colour probably deters
many from the risk involved in growing it. Such barley is often,
however, excellent food for stock, and if the high value of barley
for this purpose were recognised, much more of it would be utilised
in this way. As a staple food for the production of bacon and
pork of the best quality, barley meal stands unrivalled ; and if
more of it were used, the quality of Tasmanian bacon would be
greatly improved, the too-prevalent system of using peas for pig-
feeding conducing to hardness of the lean. Then, again, poultry
are capable of disposing of barley as grain or meal with great
advantage, so that its uses in this connection, and as a food for
other classes of stock, should make no question of its great utility.
Liming the soil would probably make much difference to the
yield of the barley crop, and would tend to improve its quality for
malting purpose. Barley prefers a free-working soil, and lime pro-
motes this condition ; it further liberates potash from its combina-
tions in the soil, and potash increases the quantity of starch pre-
sent in the grain, an important consideration where the production
of malt is concerned.
Forage Crops.
The soils and climate of Tasmania, as well as the depredations
of certain pests, make the profitable establishment of permanent
pastures almost impossible in all but a few favoured districts. It
becomes necessary, therefore, to grow rotation forage crops. Owing
to the mildness of the winters, forage crops, if got in early, produce
a heavy yield quite early in the spring, provided the soil is in pro-
per condition. Especially is this the case after a summer fallow,
when the soil has become charged with nitrates. Doubtless >-iie
same result might be achieved in a more economical way by the
appropriate use of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia, thus
avoiding waiting a whole season, as must be the case where fallow-
ing is adopted. Maize, as forage, is becoming increasingly popular
with cow-keepers, affording, as it does, an abundance of succulent
food, at a time of year when this is otherwise scarce. This crop,
however, cannot be depended upon to ripen its grain in Tasmania.
The mangel is a root which grows well in this country, and
is commonly allowed to remain in the open ground throughout the
winter, instead of being clamped in pits, as in England. Whether
this plan conduces to the ripening and proper development of the
feeding properties of this root is open to question ; and as the
opinions of farmers differ greatly upon it, this question merits
further investigation. In any case, upon suitable soils a good crop
can be obtained, which cannot be said of the turnip, which, owing
to its liability to aphis attack, in some seasons is not a very safe
.^"■w, ^m
150
crop. The cold districts of the midlands suit the latter root, where
appropriate soils happen to prevail, as in the Mt. Seymour district,
near Parattah.
Peas do well in Tasmania, and are extensively grown, being a
good preparation for corn. This crop, on account of its high nitro-
gen content, is eminently suited to the production of mutton and
wool, and should be used more systematically in connection with the
sheep farming industry than it is.
The horse bean is not often planted, owing to its liability7 to
aphis attack.
Tasmania is famous for its potatoes, which are grown chiefly upon
the basaltic soils of the North-West Coast, and in the Scottsdale
district. Some localities where potatoes were once grown with suc-
cess refuse now to grow them remuneratively. In those days the
soils of such places were in the virgin condition, and abounded
with organic matter, the physical and chemical effects of which
seem favourable to the potato; it being a well-known fact to prac-
tical agriculturists that the potato crop is generally a success upon
freshly-broken-up grass land, or upon soils where a green crop has
been ploughed in. The depletion of the soil of its available potash
may also help to account for the falling-off in production.
Agricultural Districts.
With reference to the branches of agriculture which character-
ise particular sections of Tasmania, it may in the first place be
broadly stated that fruitgrowing, especially the apple and small
fruit, is the leading industry of the south of the island ; sheep-graz-
ing, of the elevated and more rugged midland districts ; whilst
mixed farming, in which the potato is the dominant production, is
characteristic of the north, north-western, and a considerable portion
of the north-eastern sections. The extreme western part of Tas-
mania, comprising about a third of the whole State, is mainly
devoted to mining or timber, and has not been, as yet, opened up
for agricultural purposes, except in a very limited way, which
observation applies also to the south-western corner of the island.
To speak of particular districts, we may start in the south, and
first notice the splendid apple-growing country of the Huon, in
which this fruit is considered to grow to perfection, the cool moist
nature of the climate seeming to favour its development in a high
degree. The fine waterway of the estuary of the Huon River,
which is navigable for large vessels a considerable distance, and
for the smaller local steamers some 15 miles, is a great feature
of this district, which has the capacity for large developments in the
future. This river flows into D'Entrecasteaux Channel, an import-
ant route by sea to Hobart, which is sheltered by Bruni Island for
more than 30 miles to the mouth of the Derwent, so that a com-
paratively smooth passage to the metropolis can be secured all the
year round, whilst the climate experienced upon the adjoining
151
lands is very equable and pleasant. Small-fruit growing character-
ises the D'Entrecasteaux Channel district, but good apple and
other orchards abound in it ; and it is one offering great induce-
ments to those desirous of embarking in fruitgrowing. There is a
road connection, via Mt. Wellington, from Hobai-t to the Huon,
and some vei*y good orchard country is to be found adjacent to it.
Near Hobart attention may be called to the splendid apple and
apricot orchards of Glenorchy, than which it would be difficult to
find any better managed or more productive.
With reference to the extension of the applegrowing industry, it
may be stated that large areas exist in the country of what appear,
from their surface indications, unproductive soils, but which are
often found to grow apples well with some assistance from fertil-
isers. Such soils, however, to ensure a satisfactory result, should
have a clay subsoil approaching the surface. It is true that very
good orchards exist on almost pure sands, but these are of great
depth, and readily allow the roots of the trees to go down to the
permanently moist regions of the subsoil. Quite the largest apple
tree I have seen in this country, and one in excellent bearing, was
growing in one of the Tamar River orchards, in over 9 feet deep
of nearly pure sand. Apple trees grown on land of this description
occasionally develop a tendency to die at the top, the immediate
cause of this dying being a fungoid disease. Whether this disease
is brought about in the first place by irregularity of the water-
supply, to a want of proper aeration of the soil at the considerable
depths to which the roots of the trees pass down, or to want of
balance in the supply of the essential ingredients of plant food, does
not seem to have been determined. A liberal liming of the soil
with an application of sulphate of potash to trees so affected would
be worth trying. It is considered by experts that there is ample
scope for the further development of the apple-growing industry
for many years, especially if greater facilities for carriage can be
brought about.
Across the Derwent, east from Hobart, is the fine Sorell district,
devoted to mixed farming, through which is the land connection
with Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, both historically interest-
ing and picturesque, but as yet not much developed agriculturally.
The rainfall of the Sorell district is rather light, the climatic
conditions tending towards those of the East Coast, but further
south, upon the Peninsula, the rainfall becomes ample, and this,
together with the mild climate, affords great promise for the
development of the dairying and fruit industries in that part of
the country, access to which will be greatly facilitated by the cut-
ting of the Ralph's Bay Canal, shortly to be undertaken.
The East Bay Neck Canal, which permits the passage of small
vessels, now separates Forestier 's Peninsula from the mainland.
This new waterway is a great improvement in the sea connection
between Hobart and the East Coast of Tasmania ; and will doubt-
152
less lead to considerable developments in the latter quarter before
long, especially in the way of fruitgrowing ; the climate of that
part of the country being warm, and less subject to frosts than
other parts of Tasmania. Indeed, Messrs. Jones & Co., of Hobart,
have a considerable area of orchards recently planted out, which
appear to be doing very well.
Diverging from the main line railway at Bridgewater, a branch
line runs in a westerly direction through the Derwent Valley, one
of the longest settled and prettiest districts to be found in the
country. Fruit and hops are largely cultivated here, and irriga-
tion is practised more extensively than elsewhere. The Derwent
Valley branch line of railway has been recently continued from
Glenora, the former terminus, to Russell, a few miles further on,
from whence it will eventually, in all probability, be extended to
the West Coast.
Ellendale is reached by road from Russell, passing through Fen-
tonbury. A number of hop plantations, with some orchards, exists
in this section of the country. The district is well watered, but
the water requires to be utilised more systematically than appears
to be the case at present, in order to produce the best results.
The Apsley district, also traversed by a branch of the main line
of railway, is devoted to corngrowing, and, to a less, but increasing
extent, to fruit.
From Brighton Junction, on for some 25 miles, a good deal of
mixed farming prevails, and at Colebrook some useful agricultural
country exists, both near the station and farther off in some of the
valleys hidden among the hills, which appear in the distance.
Farther on towards Parattah the country becomes broken,
elevated, and cold in the winter. Blocks of very fair land, capable of
cultivation, exist, and the Mt. Seymour district may be mentioned
as containing useful farming land; also the Mt. Pleasant district,
which lies a few miles back from York Plains station, may be men-
tioned as being successfully brought in for closer settlement. The
severe frosts which are liable to occur quite unexpectedly in the
spring and summer months renders the culture of anything but dis-
tinctly hardy crops hazardous in this part of the country. Dairy-
ing and the growth of cereals, roots, and forage crops offer the
best promise of success. The surrounding country is mostly sheep
pasture, which gradually opens out into cultivated country as the
descent is made from Campbell Town north, until the fine open
corngrowing district is reached, which extends from Evandale to
the confines of Launceston, and westward through Longford and
Westbury to Deloraine. AH this section of country is compara-
tively flat or gently undulating until the Western Tier Mountains
are reached on its southern boundary. Owing to long settlement
it is now denuded of most of its timber; also all the land worth
considering has long since been taken up, and only improved farms
are available.
154
East from Launceston lies the fine agricultural country in which
are situate Scottsdale and Ringarooma. The soil about Scottsdale
is very fertile. Potatoes are largely grown here, and are of splen-
did quality, usually, it is said, topping the market for value. The
uncleared land abounds with much heavy timber. Some interven-
ing poor granitic country separates Scottsdale from Ringarooma,
which is also a very fertile district, colder, however, than Scotts-
dale, and with a more humid climate, which conduces to the growth
of fodder crops, and makes Ringarooma a stock-raising and dairying
country. Ringarooma is well watered, and Mr. A. Conlon, the
capable dairy expert for Tasmania, considers this locality one of
the most promising in the country for developing a good dairying
industry.
The recent extension of the Scottsdale line of railway to Branx-
holm must greatly accelerate the agricultural development of this
valuable section of the country.
The Piper's River district, which lies towards the north-east
coast, and is not far from Scottsdale, contains some very useful
farming country, and is good for dairy work, being well watered.
From Launceston to Bass Strait flows the splendid Tamar RiverT
which is tidal, and accommodates the traffic of the interstate
steamers. It is not adapted for the large steamers which call at
Hobart in connection with the apple trade, but the rapid develop-
ment of apple orchards upon both banks of the Tamar River will,
it is expected, very soon necessitate the establishment of a deep-
water port of call somewhere near its mouth. The convenient local
water-carriage, the pleasant climate, and the high quality of the
fruit produced by the orchards already established, makes this
district a very attractive one to would-be settlers from the main-
land or India.
Westward of the Tamar lie Glengarry and Frankford, with some
rather broken but very useful patches of agricultural country ;
some of it being good enough for hops, but on the other hand
much of the soil is of moderate fertility and requires some assist-
ance from fertilisers. Frankford is hilly, but has a fair amount
of fairly flat land in the valleys. This district is rather cold in
the winter, owing to its elevation, but is well watered, and adapted
for dairying. Apple-growing is likely to attain some development
here, and good orchards already exist. There is plenty of scope
here for settlers of the right class, and the localitv is one of con-
siderable promise.
From Evandale through Longford to Deloraine is found the
largest extent of comparatively level land in the country. This
country has been long settled, and cleared of its timber. Some
good farms are found here, but it is probable the yield of crops
of this section of country would be greatly enhanced by liming,
draining, and the more efficient application of fertilisers.
At Deloraine the recently-established State Farm and Agricul-
tural College are situate. The farm has been well selected, and
156
when the college (which is attached to it) is in working order
(which it shortly will be) an opportunity which has hitherto been
lacking in this country, will be afforded to young men coming out
from England of acquiring a practical and scientific knowledge
of their vocation before settling down to the pursuits of agriculture
and orcharding.
Between Deloraine and Ulverstone we get a splendid agricultural
district, broken here and there, but for the most part composed of
rich volcanic soil, capable of growing any crop for which the climate
is suitable. Sheffield lies high, and is rather cold in the winter,
but possesses a very rich soil. At Railton, lower down, extensive
deposits of carboniferous limestone exist, and some excellent lime
is burnt at Mr. J. Blenkhorn's kiln, about a mile from the station.
The thriving township of Devonport is very conveniently situated
for shipping much of the produce of this fine district, and is
developing very fast. Numerous flourishing townships abound in
the neighbourhood of Ulverstone and the River Leven ; and Castra,.
North Motton, Gunn's Plains, and Riana may be cited as possess-
ing a soil of splendid quality, and still covered with much heavy
timber. Potato-growing is the staple industry of this section of
the North -West Coast.
West of Ulverstone the country is broken and patchy until the
Emu Bay district is reached, where is situate the port of Burnie.
Some good soil is found here, and along the coast to Table Cape
and Wynyard. The greater rainfall of this section makes it good
grazing and dairying country ; the latter industry being now well
established in that part of Tasmania. Also some useful farming
and grazing country exists towards Circular Head and Stanley,
where settlement is steadilv progressing.
GENERAL.
Speaking of Tasmanian agriculture, upon the whole, it may be
taken that the industry is at present in a prosperous condition
owing to the good prices obtainable for all classes of produce when
in a sound condition. It goes without saying that things would
be vastly better in connection with it if superior methods of prac-
tice were in vogue generally ; but too much cannot be expected
where so large a proportion of those engaged in agricultural pur-
suits are drawn from such varied ranks of the community as they
are, many with no previous knowledge or experience of the occupa-
tion at all. The State Farm, previously mentioned, by providing
a place where theoretical and practical instruction can be obtained,
should do much if properly patronised to remedy this state of
things. Three years ago considerable alarm was experienced upon
the invasion of the North-West Coast by the potato disease, and
this led to a considerable curtailment of the area devoted to this
crop. Not much complaint is to hand this year (1914) of the
157
pest iu question, which is, of course, attributable to the dryness
of the seasons since that time, damp, muggy weather being pre-
eminently favourable to the dissemination and growth of the germs
producing it. In Great Britain, where the disease is permanently
established, its depredations have always varied from year to year
in accordance with the weather prevailing at critical periods. It
is now successfully combated there by spraying, an operation which
was not at first very popular with the Tasmanian farmer, but the
practice of which is now gaining ground, it being recognised as the
only means of making sure of the safety of the crop, which it usu-
ally does, if the operation is properly carried out.
Attention to dairying, stock-raising, and other branches of mixed
farming is desirable in order to rest the land from too much
potato cropping, which is detrimental both in quality and yield to
the latter crop, besides in time getting the land into a permanent
state of impoverishment. The superior knowledge and experience
required to carry on mixed farming probably hinders the progress
of the latter, as compared with potato-growing, which can be car-
ried out by any one who can master the arts of digging or plough-
ing, and who has a soil of fair fertility to work upon.
There seems no doubt that the agricultural situation of Tas-
mania compares favourably with that of any other of the Aus-
tralian States.
The virgin soils of this country seldom require the application
of manures at first, but some assistance from these becomes neces-
sary sooner or later ; and the use of fertilisers, especially those of
a phosphatic nature, is very rapidly increasing in all the long-
settled districts. Bonedust is the favourite manure, but super-
phosphate, guano, Thomas' phosphate, and potash are now largely
applied. Except for hops, nitrogenous fertilisers, such as nitrate
of soda and sulphate of ammonia (unless as constituents of other
manures), are not much employed, principally, it would appear, on
account of their heavy cost ; though from the great influence
exerted upon most crops, except those of the leguminous order, by
small quantities of these concentrated fertilisers, it would generally
pay to use them. A lack of knowledge of the proper use of arti-
ficial manures prevails amongst the farmers of this country, and
this frequently leads to waste.
A great deal of country is very hilly, and frequently too steep
for cultivation. Between the hills narrow sequestered valleys of
great fertility often exist, and extend for considerable distances.
Such valleys are usually intersected by a good stream of water.
Tasmania is undoubtedly a well-watered country, and compares
very favourably in this respect with Australia. It can hardly be
doubted that much of the potential water-power now running to
waste in this country will, in the near future, be utilised for motive
and irrigation purposes.
STATE AGRICULTURAL BANK.
The Parliament of Tasmania has passed an Act known as " The
State Advances Act, 1907," and its amendment.
This Act was introduced into Parliament by the Hon. D. C.
Urquhart, Treasurer of the State, and is designed to assist selectors
who hold land on the credit-purchase system to improve their
holdings. Shortly after the Act was passed three trustees were
appointed. The present trustees are Messrs. E. A. Counsel, Sur-
veyor-General (Chairman); H. E. Downie, Commissioner of Taxes;
J. W. Why te, Recorder of Titles. Mr. F. Lovett is manager. The
following is a copy of a circular which has been issued by the
trustees, and will afford information to intending borrowers: —
" The State Advances Act, 1907."
(7 Edw. VII. No. 20 and 3 Geo. V. No. 53.)
Conditions upon which Advances will be made to Persons holding
Land on Credit-purchase from the State of Tasmania. — Con-
ditions upon which Advances will he made on Freehold
Country Lands.
Application forms will be forwarded to the address of any per-
son who holds land on credit-purchase, but intending applicants
are requested before applying to read carefully the following
conditions upon which loans may be obtained: —
1. Amount of each loan to be not less than £25 nor more
than £500.
2. No advance shall exceed one-half of the amount actually
paid to the Crown in respect of the land held by the
borrower under purchase upon the credit system, plus
one-half of the present value of any improvements upon
such land.
3. The rate of interest is 6 per cent, per annum.
4. After five years the borrower will begin paying off the prin-
cipal, and can extend the repayments over 25 years ; pro-
vided that the advance may, at the option of the bor-
rower, be repaid at any time sooner than is provided,
and in larger instalments.
5. Advances may be made for any of the following pur-
poses : —
('/) Payment of liabilities already existing on the
holding.
(I>) For carrying on agricultural, dairying, grazing, or
horticultural pursuits on the holding.
(e) Making the prescribed improvements on the hold-
ing.
159
(d) Adding to the improvements already on the hold-
ing.
All applications for loans and other correspondence should
be addressed to —
" The Manager, Agricultural Bank, Public Buildings, Hobart."
6. The valuation fee must be paid by the applicant whether
the loan be granted or not. The fees will be as follow: —
£ s. d.
Not exceeding 5 miles from residence of
Inspector 0 15 0
Five miles and not exceeding 10 miles
from residence of Inspector 1 10 0
Ten miles and over from residence of
Inspector (Special terms
to be
arranged.)
Regulation under "State Advances Act."
16. The following scale of costs and fees payable in connection
with mortgages under " The State Advances Act, 1907," is hereby
fixed : —
Mortgages under " The Real Property Act " and its Amendments
(to be deducted from the advance).
Law costs of perusing title, preparing and registering mort-
gage in all cases, Ten Shillings and Sixpence.
With cash disbursements.
Mortgages under the General Law —
Law costs of perusing title, preparing and registering mort-
gage (to be deducted from the advance) —
£ s. d.
If advance does not exceed £100 1 1 0
Exceeding £100 and not exceeding £500 Ill 6
Exceeding £500 but not exceeding £1000 ... 2 2 6
With cash disbursements.
Fee chargeable by solicitor not residing in regis-
tration centre for employing agent to register
mortgage 0 2 6
Fee for partial or total discharges of mortgage... 0 2 6
Fee for production of title-deeds held by the bank 0 2 6
THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.
My R. J, Tkkky, Government Poultry Expert.
In dealing with this important matter one cannot help being
highly gratified at the encouraging prospects that open out in what-
ever direction one turns. Tasmania has a climate more especially
adapted for the raising of poultry than any other part of the Com-
monwealth, for while it is not too cold to retard egg-production,
the heat is not of such strength as to diminish the vigour of the
birds. For these reasons Tasmania has every probability of
becoming the poultry stud farm of Australasia. Her natural
advantages fully entitle her to that proud position. And as bear-
ing out this contention, it must be borne in mind that poultry-
breeding of the highest quality of birds, both for the production of
eggs and for the table, has increased more than a hundredfold
during the last Tew years, and gives ample evidence of what this
State could do when the industry has been a little longer estab-
lished. To further demonstrate this fact, it has only to be men-
tioned that a decade back Tasmania was an importer of eggs, when
wheat was 2s. 6d. per bushel. At that time there was no control
over the market, eggs realising about 4|d. per dozen in the glut
of the spring months, and up to as high as 2s. 3d. per dozen in
mid-winter, which meant that the market was over-stocked, and as
at that time there was not much done in the way of preserving
eggs, it meant considerable waste and deterioration by the then
methods of keeping. On the other hand the high prices in winter
checked the consumption. In 1904 a start was made in exporting
eggs, chiefly as ship's stores, better methods of preserving eggs
were adopted, and these factors have regulated the market, so that
now eggs, that are reliable lines, do not drop below 8|d. per dozen
in the cities, and that price prevails only for a few weeks. In
the year 1911 a commencement was made to supply the main-
land markets direct with Tasmanian eggs, and the results achieved
have been most promising.
As in proof of this it has only to be stated that this State has
exported 150,000 dozen eggs during a twelve-month, and this
number could be considerably increased if we had cool storage or
collecting depots where eggs could be tested and graded. There
have been enquiries for eggs from European countries, and a
very promising market exists in portions of Canada and the United
Slates during their winter months. It only requires the depot
above referred to to develop this trade. The same remark applies
to the export of poultry. Owing to this State's natural climatic
advantages, it is enabled to consign eggs to any Tasmanian port
without having to undertake a long journey in a high tempera-
ture. Further, a very large proportion of the Tasmanian eggs
marketed are infertile. This also greatly adds to their keeping
161
qualities, with the result that eggs from this Slate rauk high on
the mainland markets. As the climate on the mainland must
always be against the carriage of eggs, we in this State should have
an increasing asset in this direction. Quite apart from this export
to the mainland, we have a growing trade with the boats calling at
the port of Hobart.
Producers have to remember the great advantages of dealing
with the mail boats. For instance, Tasmania will not be able to
supply all the requirements of all these steamers for some time to
come. They will take all the surplus eggs and poultry in the
market, thus relieving any glut there might be, and helping to
View of Pens, Springvale Egg-laying Competition.
keep the price of their production at a fair and remunerative figure.
By doing their business in this way it will save all risk of striking
a bad market, payment of commission, freight, &c, while their
returns are cash. When the happy time comes round that Tas-
mania can produce a surplus over and above what the mail boats
require, then there is the London market and mainland markets
to fall back upon.
To give an idea of what Tasmanian poultry is thought of in the
Old Country, it has only to be repeated that the Leadenhall and
Smithfield merchants reported that the first trial shipment from
this State was the best frozen poultry received from any part of the
world suitable for the requirements of the London market. One
162
firm alone in consequence offered to take 3000 chickens per week
for four and a half months in the year at highly remunerative
prices. But it must not be forgotten that the shipment was not a
sample of the class of poultry that is running on the average farms
of the State, but was sent from the Government Poultry Farm,
where it was prepared by me with a full knowledge of what was
wanted, because of my experience gained in London. But it goes
to show that high-class poultry can be produced here ; and by
doing so, payable returns will result.
As regards egg-production, the immigrant will find that it is far
more profitable than in the Old Countrv. There is not any cheap
foreign labour to compete against. Eggs of equal quality are
higher in price than in England, while food in normal years is
cheaper. Further, during the last few years owing to the interest
taken in competitions, several strains of Tasmanian fowls can be
depended upon to lay from 180 to over 200 eggs each per annum
with right management, and there is a steady improvement in this
direction. For the experienced poultry fattener and dresser really
good prospects are in view here for supplying not only this market
but the mainland with high-class table poultry.
In the past a set-back to the industry was the want of a train-
ing ground where those desirous of embarking in the industry
might get a thorough practical grounding, but with the advent
of the State Farm students will receive thorough instructions in
all branches. It is also probable that special instruction in this
department will be given.
Muscovy Ducks.
THE CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE
IN THE ISLAND OF TASMANIA.
By L. A. Evans, Department of Agriculture, Hobart.
This calling when understood is an extremely attractive one to
cultured people. It can be entered upon at almost any period of
one's life, the main reason being that the apple-tree is a passive
object, yielding slowly but surely to the treatment it receives, or
retrograding only gradually from any immediate neglect. Fruit-
growing allows ample time to seek advice upon any of its phases,
as contrasted with the immediate demands made upon the dairyman
and stockowner. In this respect, therefore, the business of apple-
culture can easily be understood to carry an attraction for some
temperaments. Moreover, the sight of the blossoms first showing
pink, and when fully open, is a truly beautiful one, and the many
delicate shades of colour in the mature varieties of pomes possess
a charm over and above their intrinsic monetary value.
Approaching the subject of an orchard proposition from an
aesthetic point of view, either in conjunction with or apart from
its fiscal value, there is in apple-growing in Tasmania a wider
range of choice than perhaps in any part of the Southern Hemi-
sphere. In the first place, the landscape beauties of the country
are of the highest order. The innumerable picturesque bays and
inlets on the coastline of the mainland, as well as the numerous
islands, offer a choice to the most fastidious person. Then, again,
for those who prefer rural sites instead of coastal ones there is
every variety of situation and environment. Owing to its geo-
graphical position and the fact of its being an island of number-
less beautiful aspects, the question of soil selection hardly enters
into the business at all. Of course, there are odd places where
iron in the soil, or fine siliceous matter, gives rise to what are
locally known as "cement bottoms," which have their counter-
part as " hard-pan " in England ; but the former are the result
of chemical action rather than mechanical. A few inquiries in
the proper quarter will either result in learning where such places
are likely to exist, or the advice given, to first of all dig down a few
feet into the soil in several places on the area proposed to be
selected or purchased. If as a result of such delving no special
resistance is met with, little fear of future trouble need be enter-
tained. For the information of those at a distance it might be
as well to explain that " cement bottoms " give no surface indica-
tions of their existence, but after the lapse of four or five years
from planting, the roots being unable to penetrate this barrier,
the trees give visible signs of not thriving. It must not be sup-
posed that these conditions are widely prevalent, but still " fore-
warned is forearmed."
164
When digging into the subsoil its nature can be noted, and this
leads up to the extremely interesting problem as to what is the
best soil on which to plant the apple.
A prominent man in the apple trade, when asked the cost of
clearing land suitable for planting fruit-trees, replied: "Tell me
the cost of removing the timber, and I will give the soil's value for
growing apples." This remark illustrates a general impression in
many parts of the State, particularly the older and southern por-
tion. The following lines have been written with a view to
throwing light on this question. In some districts where the rain-
fall is heavy, the resulting timber-growth, especially where the
underlying soil is clay, has assumed gigantic proportions. This
has given rise to the theory that big timber indicates rich land,
and that areas so selected will be fruitful as regards the produc-
tion of good crops of fruit over an indefinite period. But analysis
of the proximate constituents of any vegetable matter when green
reveals the fact that moisture and the elements which make up the
atmosphere are the factors giving rise to luxuriance in vegetation.
The mineral matter in the ash, whilst indispensable, is present
in comparatively infinitesimal amount. Hence one is inclined to
the belief that the idea of big timber being indicative of rich soil
is not altogether warranted in all circumstances. By rich land is
meant soil capable of growing high-grade apples over an extended
period.
We now approach a highly interesting point in this fascinating
subject. If the owner of stringy-bark (Eucalyptus obliqua) coun-
try is asked for an expression of opinion as to the rich chocolate
lands, he will invariably state that they are not suited to grow
apples on, as the inherent fertility of a volcanic soil (decomposed
basalt) results in the tree " running to wood," and not fruiting.
Now, when asked to discuss the relative values of soils other than
basalt, he contends that the bigger the timber the more fertile
the soil, owing to the presence of clay beneath, and the more valu-
able it is to give revenue as an apple orchard. Fertility in the
case of the chocolate (basalt) soil is unsuitable — the tree will run
to wood — but fertility in the direction of securing a clay subsoil
is to be aimed at. The question need not be further dilated upon
except to record that one of the finest orchards the State possesses
is on the rich volcanic soil arising from the disintegration of
basaltic rock.
Furthermore, there are instances where the highest-grade apples
are grown on sandy soils. The owner of one orchard, when asked
by the writer as to the nature of the soil in his orchard, replied
that it was a sand. On bein" questioned further he stated that
he had dug at least 10 feet in depth, and was still in sand. This
particular orchard is not far from the ocean, and no doubt the
material necessary to provide the mineral matter of the apple is
derived from the shell debris originally supplied when the orchard
166
area formed part of the ocean bed. Another remarkable instance
of a similar character to the foregoing was cited by a well-estab-
lished orchardist, to the effect that if he dug 5 feet down in his
orchard he came upon fresh water, and that although planting
apple-trees was considered risky he did so, and to avoid the sandy
soil blowing away he only scratched immediately round the young
trees. As the trees grew the outer rows acted more or less as a
breakwind to the remainder of the orchard.
The foregoing is of particular interest, because so many people
are wedded to the idea that a clay subsoil is indispensable for suc-
cessful orcharding. Methods consecrated by years of practice
yield slowly to the changes brought about by the results of experi-
ments, and ideas once conceived are difficult to dislodge. Provided
the cost of bringing the land under cultivation, either in respect
to the removal of timber, transport charges, or freeing the soil
from rocks and stones, is not too great, the conditions in respect
to apple-growing in Tasmania appear to be such that no hard-and-
fast rule can be laid down, or no class of land rejected as unsuit-
able to produce fruit of high quality. Of course draining, sweet-
ening (liming), and shelter-planting will require to be carried out
on many selections ; but, generally speaking, where draining is
necessary the cost of removing the timber growth is very little, for
the simple reason that the standing water has been inimical to the
production of the large trees found on naturally-drained soils.
Regarding the planting of shelter-belts round exposed sites, it may
be pointed out that the Monterey pine (Pinus insignis) is a very
fast grower in this country, and that thousands of seedlings can be
raised on a tiny plot of ground. To any one who desires to do so,
the raising of pine-trees for a breakwind is a mere bagatelle as
regards cost, but their value when, say, 10 years old, and even
earlier, to protect the orchard is inestimable.
Before leaving the question of site as regards soil -selection, there
is one other point to touch on. Unless the close proximity of
moisture to within a few feet of the surface, such as referred to in
a previous paragraph, is indispensable to successful fruit-culture in
the absence of clay in the subsoil, then the " clay-bottom " theory
is in danger of being exploded. To support this latter contention
we have the fine orchards on chocolate lands where neither " fresh
water " in the sense previously cited, or clay as generally under-
stood, is in evidence at all. Of course a sandv soil requires " feed-
ing," which is accomplished in littoral districts bv burying sharks
and kelp or other seaweeds, and also bv green-manuring, which
means growing such crops as legumes and ploughing in the
vegetable matter at about flowering time, so that it will decay and
form humus, which yields its nutritive properties slowly by oxida-
tion and the agency of bacteria, as well as increasing the moisture-
holding capacity of light lands. At any rate, approach the sub-
ject of soil-selection from any standpoint you like, and the fact
168
remains that there are orchards in this State yielding the finest
of marketable fruit situated on sandy areas and chocolate loams,
besides those owned by the adherents of the " clay bottom "
theory. The whole secret of the apple's successful culture
here appears to be the favourable climatic conditions. The
question as to whether the best results will be obtained on sand,
clay, or volcanic rock is merely one of management. The tendency
to early fructification on poor soils with a light rainfall can be
checked by building up the soil by ploughing under green crops
and the employment of irrigation, whilst the opposite tendency of
a tree to assume gigantic proportions on rich soils, or in districts
enjoying a heavy rainfall throughout the year, can be restrained
by scientific pruning. It is one of the fascinations hinted at in
the opening paragraphs of this article that a tree will slowly but
surely respond in whatever direction desired by judicious pruning,
just as readily as the ship on the ocean answers to the dictates
of the man on the bridge.
Selection of District for Orchard.
So much, then, for the question of the best soil. It is now time
to discuss where the orchard shall be purchased or the land selected
for planting. It will simplify this difficult and delicate subject
if we endeavour to handle the proposal analytically, and for this
reason it may be well to arbitrarily divide the State into fruit
centres, and comment on each very briefly in turn. The several
areas may be set forth in the following order : —
Huon (including Ranelagh, Huonville, Lovett, Franklin,
and Geeveston).
South Bruny and D'Entrecasteaux Channel (Gordon to
Pearson's Point).
Glenorchy (including Kangaroo Valley).
Bagdad Valley.
Derwent Valley (including New Norfolk, Macquarie Plains,
and Glenora).
Tasman Peninsula (including Triabunna).
The North-East (including Lilydale, Scottsdale, Scamander,
and George's Bay).
The Estuary of the River Tamar.
Mersey Valley (including Spreyton, Latrobe, Devonport).
It must not be imagined that these centres include every area
where fruit is being grown or can be grown in Tasmania. There
are several what might be termed detached areas, such as Bis-
marck, South Arm, Kingston, Bellerive, Lindisfarne, &c. The
question of altitude seems to resolve itself into not attempting to
grow apples at an elevation much higher than 1000 feet above sea-
level. The. orchards at Dysart in the Bagdad Valley are on this
mark, and produce fine fruit. No mention is made in the above
170
list of the movement of the Van Diemen's Land Company at
Stanley in the extreme north-west, where 1000 acres are in course
of being planted. This demonstration when an accomplished fact
will extend the possibilities of fruit-production here into the realm
of the illimitable. It is to be an orchard proposition on a class
of country which can be cleared for a few pounds per acre, but
which requires thorough drainage. There are hundreds of square
miles of this land not far from Stanley, from where fruit, when
grown, can be shipped.
The question which a reader of this publication will probably
find arising to his lips is that of the cost of starting an orchard,
and the nature of the environment, if such a movement were
attempted at any of the foregoing centres. The matter of cost will
be handled later on, and a few hints as to the surrounding con-
ditions may be acceptable.
The Huon District.
Starting with the Huon, the residents at the different centres
in this belt are largely sons of pioneers who were no doubt
attracted by the timber possibilities. They have done sterling
work in their struggle to win wealth from a comparatively unwill-
ing soil, and owing to the heavy rainfall this belt enjoys some
remarkably heavy yields have been obtained. The banks of the
Huon are more and more being dotted with orchards, while for
aquatic pastimes the river can hold its own with any stream in the
Commonwealth. The outlying ranges, including the famous Hartz
Mountains, Adamson's Peak, and the " Sleeping Beauty " or
" Huon Belle," together with the lesser peaks, on a still summer
morning present a scene of dazzling beauty which no pen can
justly portray. It is in the winter months (June to August), when
the westerly winds with slight hail rattle round, that the Huon is
not as pleasant as it might be, and on occasional mornings for a
few hours fog hangs over the upper reaches. These latter condi-
tions are not a general state of affairs climatically ; still, when
exception can be taken, it will fall under these heads. From
October to May the Huon is as good as one could wish it to be;
from June to September, in the writer's opinion, it is not as
pleasant as several places in this State, say, 100 miles further
north. No doubt residents in Great Britain would wonder what is
meant by recording differences of degree between places situated
in an island much smaller than Ireland, bearing in mind the
severity of the winters in the Old Country, but without hinting at
the various climatic idiosyncrasies, as they may be termed, it is
difficult to know how to paint a picture of life in the different
centres. It is very hard to alight upon the correct shade of mean-
ing to convey an adequate representation of what a newcomer
would find.
172
South Brunt/ and D' Entrecasteaux Channel.
The D 'Entrecasteaux Channel links up the Huon River with the
Derwent, where Hobart, the capital, stands, 12 miles from its
mouth. The Channel, as it is generally called, is much nearer by
water to Hobart, and its shores are studded with charming villas.
The views from the surrounding hills are beyond description. South
Bruny, where orchards are coming into prominence, shelters the
southern and eastern side of the Channel, and this place must be
visited and seen for itself. As a yachtsman's paradise, the Chan-
nel has no counterpart in the Southern Hemisphere, unless it be
the Amazon. On both sides of any centre between, say, Gordon
and Mills Reef, there are 50 miles of lovely, landlocked lake-like
waterway ; generally speaking, bold water to the very banks, and
ranging from 1 to 4 miles in width. The rugged grandeur of the
surrounding hills, the dainty little bights and anchorages, together
with the smooth water, will some day be duly appreciated. One
is loth to leave the Huon and its environs, as it carries happy
memories of long ago, but space will not allow full justice to be
done, nor can anything short of an actual visit give any idea of
its many attractive aspects. The late Mr. Peter Barr — the " Daf-
fodil King " — was much taken with the scenic beauties of the
south-eastern corner of this island.
The Glenorchy District.
Glenorchy is a small suburb of the capital, where a fine quality
of fruit is grown. The land here is beginning to carry an enhanced
value, owing to the fact that the city is extending in that direc-
tion, and building is going on apace. One small orchard of 4
acres gave over 1000 bushels of apples to the acre for some years,
but it is now played out. Hop-culture is carried on in a small way
at this centre. Orchards extend right on to South Bridgewater,
and there are many fine sites to be purchased.
The Bagdad Valley.
A short distance from Hobart by rail, say 20 miles, brings one
to the Bagdad Valley. A nice little centre, English in character,
is Bagdad, but it enjoys a lighter rainfall than the Huon,
and yields are not so heavy. There is a sprinkling here of pro-
fessional men from the capital who own orchards. Bagdad holds
the proud position of possessing an orchard for which the highest
price on record was given. The amount stands at considerably
over £200 per acre. This must not be taken as the general price
which must be given for orchards here, but it is an accomplished
fact and worth recording. People who desire to be away from
the ocean breezes might consider this centre as most favourable,
but many growers prefer water-carriage for their fruit.
174
The Derwent Valley.
New Norfolk, Macquarie Plains, and Glenora are situated in
the upper part of the valley of the River Derwent. Here many
thousands of fine acres of orchard lands can be seen, but it is not
possible to convey an adequate portrait of this magnificent coun-
try. The last bend of the Derwent approaching New Norfolk is
considered pre-eminently picturesque. Here the waters of the
Derwent, and higher up the valley those of its tributaries, are
employed for irrigation purposes both for fruit and hops. The
several branches of the Shoobridge family reside in this part, and
their name has long been associated with advanced horticulture.
Like the Huon at Huonville, and the Tamar in some of its reaches,
the Derwent at this centre encourages a little fog on still days in
winter. The fine plantations and palatial residences here are indi-
cative of what apple-growing can afford.
Tctsman's Peninsula.
Before proceeding to the northern end of the island it would be
well to briefly note what Tasman's Peninsula is capable of, as there
are many hundreds of acres of suitable land yet to be employed
in this vicinity. Some phenomenal yields have been taken off a
small patch at Nubeena. The Peninsula will always remain his-
torically of importance owing to its past. Here the tourist finds
Port Arthur, Eaglehawk Neck, with the Blowhole, Tasman's
Arch, Devil's Kitchen, Tesselated Pavement, &c. Much activity
is being displayed on the foreshore of Norfolk Bay, a large inland
sea, where our warships go for ball practice. Orchards are being
extended in several directions, and its proximity to Hobart assures
it a fine future. A few miles higher up the coast Messrs. H. Jones
& Co.'s orchard of 300 acres at Triabunna is linking up the out-
lying centres with profitable fruit-production.
The North-East.
At Scamander and Georges' Bay, now mainly of interest as
watering-places where bream and other fishing is enjoyed, fruit-
culture is coming along. The mild climate produces a very highly-
coloured apple, and there are thousands of acres still the property
of the Crown near St. Helens (George's Bay). A good rainfall
(29 inches) is enjoyed, and the soil being largely decomposed
granite, results in an apple of firm flesh and well adapted for car-
riage to distant markets. Some day in the not far distant future
the North-East will command high attention as a fruit-producing
area.
Travelling west from George's Bay the orchards at Scottsdale
and Lilydale come into view. The highest-grade apples are grown
175
at these places, and there is plenty of room for newcomers. Scotts-
dale flourishes on the rich basaltic soil arising from decomposed
volcanic rock, which is brick-red in colour, and the vigorous trees
if rightly pruned centre their activities in the direction of heavy
yields. Colour might be dubbed the dominant feature of apples
grown in this belt, and it remains to be seen whether the still
milder climate at St. Helens will not produce a better apple in
this respect. So far, judging from what has been grown at
Scamander and George's Bay, the growers at Lilydale will require
to maintain the highest standard of cultivation.
The Estuary of the Tamar.
The Tamar is the next and perhaps the greatest difficulty met
with in endeavouring to do even scant justice in a brief description
of the orchard land Tasmania possesses. Fruit-growing on its
banks was practically unknown 10 years ago, and now there are
over 4000 acres planted. In 1908 there were only 724 acres.
Modernity is the main characteristic of this movement, both in
regard to system and management. In another decade or earlier
the Tamar will be a scene of great activity, when the ocean-going
steamers call for fruit at Bell Bay. This estuary has a foreshore
of at least 100 miles. River scenery of a very beautiful character
goes in with the selection, and already its banks have been embel-
lished by the presence of comfortable homes, picturesque gardens,
and, what should be of greater import, cultured people. There is
no desire to mislead or to enlist improperly the attention of those
at a distance by setting forth the above, but it must be admitted
that the lower reaches of the estuary of the Tamar have a longer
foreshore (shore-line) for residential houses with orchards than the
estuary of the Derwent, and as visitors have informed the writer
that the view from the Springs on Mt. Wellington is equal to the
best Swiss scenery, then residents in the Northern Hemisphere can
form some idea of the natural beauties to be enjoyed in the small-
est state of the Commonwealth.
The Mersey Valley.
Last, but by no means least — in the opinion of some, first of all —
we approach the Spreyton district, where apple-culture is making
a distinct forward movement. Latrobe, Spreyton, Railton, and
Devonport will in the near future produce many thousands of
cases of high-grade apples, and as the port of Devonport is adjacent
there is every natural facility- Perhaps nowhere else in this State
will there be found so many retired Anglo-Indians as within a
stone's throw of Devonport. This fact, combined with the rich
surrounding country and all the enjoyments of modern life, should
exert a strong attraction to newcomers.
176
The Cost of Establishing an Orchard.
This is not as easy as it may seem to put on paper. The price
of land varies according to locality, and the timber it may carry
will increase the early outlay. However, the following figures
dealing with a 25-acre block and a 100-acre orchard are authentic
and from two different sources. They will guide the man at a dis-
tance, and it might be advisable to point out that one man, if
he knows his work, can attend to 10 acres of full-bearing land.
He may want a little help when the rush of picking is on : —
Twenty-five Acre Orchard. £
Twentv-five acres at £20 per acre (readv for the
plough * 500
Fencing, packing-shed, and cottage 350
Five thousand trees at 70s. per 100 175
Planting 25 acres 15
Five years' cultivation, pruning, &c, at £4 10s. per
acre ... 560
Interest on outlay for five years at 5 per cent, com-
pound interest 370
Unforeseen expenses 30
Total £2000
The returns from the fifth to the seventh year may fairly be
calculated to pay the orchard expenses on the outlay. From the
tenth year onward the annual return from the orchard should be
at least 6000 bushels. These, at the moderate estimate of 2s. 6d.
per bushel on the trees, give £750 ; deduct £225 for working (this
is calculating at £9 per acre, which will cover cultivation, spray-
ing, and all expenses), leaving £525, from which the annual inter-
est on £2000 has also to be deducted. Thus there would be a
clear income of £425. It must not be forgotten that a bona fide
settler gives his own work, and in the above calculations he would
by working himself save £80 a year; in addition, if he has £2000
capital, he would get the interest on the amount invested, or an
average of £74 per year, giving him £154 to live on until the
orchard came into bearing. It must also be borne in mind that a
conservative estimate has been placed on the average yield. Suc-
cessful growers, and those in specially-favoured localities, obtain
more fruit than 240 bushels per acre. Yields of 1000 cases per
acre are by no means unknown in some seasons on small areas, up
to say 4 acres ; but these are exceptional, and it would be safer
for intending growers to estimate their returns at 300 bushels to
the acre, which, at 2s. 6d. per bushel net, gives the handsome profit
of nearly £40 per acre. The average price is given above as
177
"2s. 6d. per bushel on the tree, but many successful growers, by
■careful attention to packing, &c, and good judgment in market-
ing, realise higher prices on the average ; yet 2s. 6d. is the price
a speculator, who expects to make his profit, will purchase at
in the country centres.
The following estimate deals with a 100-acre block (note that
the grand total is just four times the cost of a block one-quarter in
area) : —
Estimate of Cost of Land Cleared and Planted Out with Apples on
the Basis of 100-acre I 'lots. £
First cost of 100 acres of land, at, say, £5 per acre 500
Grubbing, cutting-up timber, burning- off, and clearing
land fit for ploughing, at £6 per acre 600
Cost of ploughing and subsoiling, at £1 per acre 100
Two-year-old apple-trees, at £3 per 100, planting out, say,
100 trees per acre (Memo. — Many orchardists plant 140
trees per acre) 300
Cost of planting, including pegging-out, digging holes,
&c, at £1 per acre 100
Purchase of four suitable farm horses, at say, £40 each... 160
Implements and tools for working 100 acres of land, say ... 300
Fencing with wire-netting (four posts to the chain and three
round wires), cost of material and erection, at £50 per
mile, say 80
Draining with agricultural pipes, inclusive of cost of pipes
and labour in putting down, costs £40 per mile. The
drainage of 100 acres would altogether depend upon the
character of the land and how close the drains are
required. Therefore we can onlv roughly estimate at,
say 100
Cost of building's for manager, workmen, stables, &c, say
four four-roomed cottages at £120 each, one manager's
house (£250), and stables (£50) 780
Manuring young trees, last three years, with, say, 5 cwt.
artificial manure per acre — 25 tons at £6 per ton — £150
for three years 450
Horse-feed and cost of keeping, &c, four horses for one
year, £100; two ploughman and four orchard hands,
at £2 per week, for one year, £624 ; one manager, per
annum, £200; total, £924 — for five years, say 4620
Estimated total cost of 100 acres of orchard at the end
of five years containing seven-year-old trees £8090
After the fifth year of planting out — that is, when the trees are
seven years old — the orchard should in the sixth year of planting-
178
out more than pay working expenses, and rapidly increase until
the orchard becomes full-bearing in 10 years. Of course, under
favourable circumstances, or in an exceptionally suitable locality,
the orchard might pay expenses a year earlier than indicated ; but
it would not be safe to in any way rely upon that, and the writer
is of opinion that the above is a fair and reasonable estimate for
a block of the size in question. If planting out smaller areas the
expenses would very closely proportionate down to small blocks,
when, of course, the expenses would be proportionately slightly
higher, unless the work was done largely by the purchaser person-
ally.
When to Arrive.
The best period of the year for a newcomer to arrive in Tas-
mania, more particularly if he intends to embark in fruit-growing,
would be about October. This will give him time to have a look
round and make up his mind, before the busy season commences,
as to where he would prefer to settle. Although a comparatively
small island, there is in Tasmania an infinite amount of variety in
the several districts which can only be thoroughly understood and
appreciated by those practically acquainted with the country. To
the yachtsman the south-eastern corner will, with its magnificent
waterways, appeal most strongly of all. To those who lean more
in the direction of rural tastes, the midlands and central north
cannot be beaten, whilst the person who is capable of entertaining
himself, and would not feel too lonely in a sparsely-populated com-
munity, the east or north-east may be selected. It is impossible
to determine for one at a distance where they would be most con-
tented, nor can the foregoing remarks be taken as covering the
whole of the distinctive features of each place. To make the mean-
ing clearer : the attractions of the Derwent, the Huon, and sur-
rounding channels, bays, locks, &c, would determine many a per-
son fond of the briny in his leisure hours, but this by no means
deprives the orchardist on the Tamar banks of the enjoyment of a
40-mile estuary ranging from 1 to 4 miles in width. In this par-
ticular the resident at Spreyton and Devonport would cite the Mer-
sey, whilst the man at St. Helens (George's Bay) has an inlet of 8
miles in length by 4 miles at its widest part abounding in fish and
picturesque surroundings.
Having landed in this State, and even having decided where he
will settle, it is not considered advisable for the newcomer to
straightway invest capital in an orchard. Very little is gained
by undue haste in this respect, and considerable disappointment or
dissatisfaction may arise after one has got one's bearings. Far
better is it for the newcomer to secure a berth for six or 12
months with a practical orchardist, and get the " inside running "
of his district. He will be learning the practical side of the work
all the time, and, by conversation with his neighbours and perus-
179
ing the daily papers, gaining knowledge as to prices of land in
its various aspects. Considerations as regards schooling children
and the proximity of future friends may, if properly determined,
give considerable satisfaction in the future, or the oversight of
such modify in a great measure the success of making a home in
this State. A few hints on the diversity of Tasmania may be of
interest to those at a distance contemplating coming here. The
generally held most important factor in favour of this State is its
climate. Being a small island — some 5000 square miles smaller
than Ireland — it is mild and delightful in most parts, particularly
near the coast. The eastern centre of the island, where the main
railway-line runs, is an elevated plateau rising to about 1500 feet
half-way between Hobart and Launceston, where the Merino sheep
country lies. Another plateau arises in the middle portion pro-
per, where the altitude is about 3000 feet. Here the lakes of
Tasmania are situated- — in the Counties of Westmorland and Cum-
berland. Summer-grazing is carried on here by pastoralists, the
stock being withdrawn to the lower levels in winter. The
combination of lake scenery, mountain ranges, and the deep gorges
revealing the winding rivers near their sources, give panoramas
carrying descriptions into the regions of the sublime.
There are no blacks in Tasmania, no foreigners except an odd
" darkie " sometimes seen as "boots" at an hotel in the cities.
A few Chinese are located at the tin mines at Weldborough on the
North-East Coast, and an odd Chinaman or two run market-gar-
dens near Hobart.
This halcyon isle does not receive visits from tornadoes,
typhoons, hurricanes, or other violent atmospheric depressions;
the presence and comparative nearness of the ocean all round main-
tains an equable state of the barometer. It receives ample rain-
fall for all agricultural, horticultural, and pastoral purposes on
an advanced scale, and if a visitor is not satisfied with a " fair
thing," he can go to the West Coast, where the mines are, and
revel in from 10 to 12 feet of heavenly dew per annum. Tasmania
is also most fortunate in getting first call on the gentle ozone-
carrying breezes from the south, which in conjunction with the
health-giving exhalations from the forests of eucalypts all over
the island result in a standard of healthiness unequalled in the
Southern Hemisphere.
There are hundreds of State schools throughout the island where
education is imparted free of cost. High schools, State and private,
can also be found in the cities of Hobart and Launceston, as well
as colleges for girls and boys, and Tasmania possesses its own
university. Of churches there is the widest possible range of
denominations.
Briars, blackberries, hawthorn hedges, and all manner of Eng-
lish shrubs, flowers, and trees, flourish as if glad of a change of
soil and a better climate ; whilst of weeds there are representatives
180
of almost every family which au Englishman drags about with him
wherever he goes.
Bush poets and bush lawyers are scattered about. Golf clubs,
football grounds, cricket fields, are met with at every turn, and
the votaries of the turf can employ their ingenuity in " picking
winners " at any centre throughout the State, but they must be
content with totalisator returns, as bookmakers are prosecuted.
Women have votes in this part of the Southern Hemisphere. Eng-
lish grasses and clovers flourish here, and English landscape
scenery can also be enjoyed. In fact, Tasmania is Old England
over again, minus some undesirable features.
A few remarks to the younger members who are thinking of
coming this way may save future heartburning.
Don't think you are coming to Tasmania to pick apples off trees
in the streets, because they grow in orchards which are in most
cases several miles from the cities. Don't imagine a couple of
hundred pounds is all you require to set you up in the fruit indus-
try without further effort, because it will not do so ; the less capital
you have the more work must be done. Don't think it is " infra
dig." to take your coat off if it hampers the play of your muscles;
no one will make remarks about your being in your shirt-sleeves
in hot weather. Above all, please do not, as many have done,
begin to teach your employer the second week you have been on
the orchard. This has resulted, with one other failing, in getting
many Englishmen looked askance at in this part of the world.
Work hard the first week, and make up your mind to work harder
the second, because the chances are you will not be " fit " at the
beginning. Don't take your money, if you bring any, out of the
bank until you have been in the State at least six months. Make
this a golden rule, and if any one wishes you to break it, don't
accept the suggestion.
FRUIT CULTURE IN THE HUON.
(Mountain River Board Report.)
The Huon district is first and last a fruit-producing district, and
its climatic conditions favour the production of raspberries and
apples to perfection. On a small holding, and by those first starting
to carve out for themselves a home in the bush, the culture of
raspberries and other small fruits tides them over the first stage.
These fruits are most prolific when grown on the hillsides, in gullies,
or any sheltered situation. The average harvest brings over a ton
of raspberries to the acre. It is usual to only partly clear the
land of its original growth of scrub and timber, the planting being
done mostly in small patches wherever suitable, the cost averaging
from £8 to £10 per acre, including cost of purchasing canes. The
average price for this fruit delivered at the various fruit -receiving
depots during the past five years has been l|d. per lb. This cul-
ture gives employment to the early settler and his family, but does
not leave a large margin of profit beyond actual wages earned ;
still, it keeps the pot boiling until such time as further improve-
ments are effected and orchards planted out.
The chief industry in this district is orchard farming, and
although the bulk of the land is not first-class, it is eminently
adapted for fruit culture. Orchards in full bearing average 400
bushels to the acre annually, but this has been exceeded in many
instances, much depending on the method of cultivation and
manuring, as well as with the successful coping with the various
pests that attack both the tree and the crop.
An average orchard in full swing, and in the hands of an experi-
enced orchardist, would yield a net return of, say, £30 an acre
as a return to the owner for his labour, but it must be understood
that this only refers to orchards that have been planted out for
10 years, for trees cannot be considered to be in full bearing until
they have reached that age.
The price of land as selected and purchased from the Govern-
ment under " The Crown Lands Act " ranges from 10s. to £1
per acre, to which must be added the cost of survey. In purchas-
ing unimproved land from private owners the price will range from
£2 to £5 an acre, according to the quality and situation. The area
required to make a living from in this district would range from
25 to 100 acres. In purchasing privately-owned land, that which
is cleared and fit to plant with fruit trees usually realises from £40
to £80 an acre, and orchards in full profit are worth from £80 to
£150 per acre, according to situation; and an immigrant with a
capital of, say, £500, might be in a position to purchase a pro-
pertv of from 25 to 50 acres, with a cottage thereon, and with.
182
perhaps, 4 to 8 acres of orchard coming into bearing, enabling him,
with other crops, to live until such time as he has cleared and
planted more. With the sum of £2000 an immigrant could pro-
bably purchase an orchard farm of 100 acres, with a house and about
10 to 15 acres of orchard in full bearing, also a few hundred acres
cleared for cultivation or grass, but much would depend on its
proximity to road and water carriage. We would strenuously
recommend immigrants intending to take up orcharding in Tas-
mania not to invest their capital till they have gained some experi-
ence in the methods of fruit culture as practised here.
Huon River at Shipwrights' Point.
TASMANIA: ITS CLIMATE AM)
RESOURCES.
By L. A. Evans.
The Climate of Tasmania.
Situated sufficiently far southward from the continent of Aus-
tralia to be outside the baneful influences which large countries
have to endure, Tasmania enjoys a mild, equable climate. By
reason of its undulating character the choice is offered of the
moisture-laden atmosphere at the sea-level or the rarefied invigor-
ating climate of a sub-alpine character. The mere fact that Tas-
mania is the holiday resort of residents of the mainland during
the summer months indicates beyond argument what a valuable
asset this State possesses in respect to the climatic conditions which
it enjoys.
The beneficial effect derived by persons with delicate constitu-
tions after a few years' residence in this State has passed beyond
the stage of conjecture, and from time to time fresh arrivals from
the Northern Hemisphere in search of health settle here.
Whether it is judged from the standpoint of its scenery, its
climate, recreations, or fertility in respect to farm products, Tas-
mania is generally acknowledged to take a front rank in the States
of the Commonwealth.
The Agricultural Industry.
Cereals of all kinds as well as root crops grow with marked suc-
cess in most parts of the island. Soils of decomposed basalt, pro-
ductive in the highest degree, are mainly situated in the North-
western and North -Eastern parts of Tasmania. In the South the
hop crop grows magnificently and fruits of a temperate climate
have earned a world-wide reputation.
The pea crop is one which is extensively grown and shipped to
England. Potatoes and mixed farming have been largely respon-
sible for much of the wealth produced in the past.
A notable feature in pursuing the practice of agriculture in the
island is its well-watered farms ; streams never giving out, being
met with at almost every turn. Tasmania does not suffer from hot,
drying winds to any extent, consequently no rapid transpiration
goes on, and with a regular rainfall droughts are unknown.
Harbours.
Tasmania is well provided with shipping facilities by a number
of natural outlets situated all round the island.
184
The port of Hobart, especially, is unquestionably one of the
finest natural harbours in the world. Ships of the deepest draught
and large tonnage can steam right up to the wharves, which are
situated within a stone's throw of the centre of the city. No
other port in Australia can berth and discharge steamers drawing
such a depth as can lie alongside its magnificent wharves. The
lower reaches of the Tamar and the Huon Rivers are also magnifi-
cent waterways for the transport of merchandise. At Burnie,
Stanley, Devonport, Ulverstone, Macquarie Harbour, and else-
where the export of products, mineral and agricultural, has every
natural facility.
Dairying in Tasmania.
There are at least thirty butter and cheese factories in full
swing in this island, and the export of butter to England is grow-
ing apace. The mildness of the winters, and the natural pastures
combined, favour the prospects of dairymen in the highest degree;
whilst the certainty of the returns as well as the over-sea markets
will undoubtedly place the milch cow in the forefront of agricul-
tural advancement.
Poultry, Pigs, and Bacon.
The above industries are making considerable headway, and offer
a splendid field for investment in conjunction with dairying.
Through the medium of competitions in egg-laying the most
approved strains of egg-producers are being brought to light.
KING ISLAND.
This is one of the most important dependencies of Tasmania.
It is situate in Bass Strait, about midway between the northern
extremity of the mainland of Tasmania and Victoria. It is about
36 miles long north and south, by an average of 10 miles wide.
Almost all the land on the island available for selection has been
purchased. Many of the earlier settlers have done really well on
the island fattening cattle. It is now gradually settling down into
a community of farmers, many of whom will go in for dairying.
The population is about 700, and if the land recently selected
opens out well, after having been burnt and sown with grass seed,
its numbers will soon increase.
It has been decided to erect a jetty on the eastern side of the
island. Up to the present the only jetty has been at Currie Har-
bour, on the western shore.
In the early days of land selection on this island the fattening
of cattle was its chief industry, about 2500 head per year being
the annual output. Dairying is now becoming fairly established.
This is an industry for which the island is very suitable. Grass
is very abundant on the western portions of the island.
INFORMATION ON LAND VALUES.
By L. A. Evans.
In order that correct information on land values in districts
where the land has been partially improved by the clearing of the
timber and the sowing of artificial grasses may be made available to
the public, the following notes on the rural districts in this State
are published : —
Stavekton (Sheffield District.)
The land in this district is worth from £3 to £12 per acre,
according to the clearing that has been carried out. Peas, oats,
and potatoes grow well, but the district is well adapted to dairying
and grazing, as it is well watered and grows good feed. It will
carry two sheep to the acre in properly fenced paddocks.
Barrington.
On chocolate farms, oats go up to 80 bushels to the acre ; pota-
toes, 8 tons per acre; two acres tor a fully-grown beast; two sheep
to the acre. The price of land runs from £12 to £20 per acre.
Stooijley.
Mixed farming prevails, mostly potatoes. Since the Irish blight,
blue peas have been very profitable. Land runs in value from £5
to £30 per acre, average price £12. The number of stock on 100
acres — 30 sheep, 6 cows, 20 to 30 pigs, and the usual stock to work
the farm.
Forth.
Mixed farming — wheat, oats, peas, beans, potatoes, mangolds,
hay, dairying, poultry, sheep. Oats and hay are the most profit-
able crops. Land is worth from £15 to £27 per acre. Fifty acres
is considered the minimum on which a living could be made. The
land will graze one beast to the acre or eight sheep on the same
area. Uncleared fruit land is valued at £5 per acre ; when cleared
its value rises to £15 per acre.
B.IDGELEY.
Land uncleared is valued at £2 to £4 per acre, partly cleared
£10 to £15, whilst cleared land rises to £15 to £20 per acre.
There is splendid feed where the land is good and of even quality.
The district is well provided with transport, shipping, markets
(Burnie and Waratah). The minimum area to make a living off
186
is considered to be 50 acres. Mixed farming prevails — dairying,
grazing, cropping. The best crop is considered to be the potato,
which averages 4 tons to the acre. Oats are largely grown, and
yield 50 bushels to the acre. Dairying and grazing are extensively
carried on : sheep not general in this district. The land will carry
one beast to 3 acres ; 1 cow to 4 acres — which allows for a
little cropping — sheep, one to the acre on good runs.
Irishtown.
Potatoes and oats are the principal crops of this district, taken
alternately. The former average 4 tons to the acre. Hay crops
give 2 tons to the acre, but good crops rise to 3 tons per acre. Since
Irish blight broke out dairying has made great strides. The soil
is well suited to cereals, pulse, and roots. First-class land is worth
from £1 to £10 per acre, the price depending on situation, amount
of improvements, and instalments paid to the Crown, rather than
on its quality. Partially cleared land is worth from £3 to £5 per
acre. Not less than 100 acres should be purchased as a holding.
Grass land will carry one cow to 3 acres ; roughly cleared land, one
cow to 6 acres, or one ewe and lamb per acre.
Kindred.
Mixed farming holds sway. Potatoes are grown on the choco-
late soil; oats for grain and hay; peas, turnips, and mangolds; the
latter to supplement the green feed for dairying, which has made
great strides, as witness the establishment of co-operative butter
factories at Ulverstone, Burnie, and Devonport. Wheat is only
raised in small quantities for home use. All stock enjoy the best
of health. Pork-raising as a supplement or adjunct to dairying
goes on. Beef, mutton, wool are produced in small quantities.
The price of unimproved land is about £10 per acre. Improved
areas run from £12 to £25 per acre. The holdings run from 100
to 150 acres, but 50 acres are considered the minimum from which
a living could be made. The land will carry one beast to the acre
or three sheep to a similar area. The altitude is from 500 to 700
feet. The roads in the district are good.
Preston.
Mixed farming. Oats and potatoes are the leading crops. Pota-
toes yield from 5 to 10 tons per acre ; oats from 50 to 80 bushels
per acre. It is considered that 100 acres are necessary to make a
living off. Bush land is valued at £4 per acre, grazing land at
£7 10s., and improved farms at £13 per acre. The land will carry
about one beast to 2 acres and one sheep per acre. The grazing
land is best suited for dairying.
187
North Motton.
Potatoes and oats are the principal crops grown in this district.
Potatoes are planted from June to October. The mild winters
allow a continuous supply of fodder to be grown. Partly cleared
land is valued at from £8 to £12 per acre ; cleared land at from
.£20 to £24 per acre. Fifty acres are required to make a living
on. The altitude of the district is 500 feet-
New Ground.
Mixed farming — wheat, hay, potatoes. Improved areas are
valued at from £10 to £30 per acre. From 50 acres upwards are
needed to make a living on. Fruit land, uncleared, runs from £2
to £14 per acre, according to situation. £10 per acre will fit fruit-
land for the plough or planting. Sheep on farms (not runs), two
to five head per acre : one beast to 2 acres.
MOOREVILLE-ROAD.
Potatoes are the leading crop in this district. Oats, peas, hay
also largely grown. Dairying is carried on here. The land is
valued at from £12 to £20 per acre- Minimum area to make a
living on, 100 acres. Potatoes yield from 5 to 6 tons per acre,
oats 50 bushels, hay 2| tons, blue peas 40 bushels per acre. This
district grows good grass— English, cocksfoot, white and red
clover. Turnips and mangolds do well here.
Devonpokt.
Potatoes, dairying, and mixed farming. Land is valued at £23
per acre. Dairying land from £10 per acre, subject to the clear-
ing done. A good living can be made on 75 acres of red soil and
125 acres of dark loam. Uncleared fruit land is worth from £1 to
£10, according to its position. Fruit land newly planted is valued
at £30 to £40 per acre. Orchards coming into bearing, £60 to
£70, with reasonable addition for other improvements. The land
in this district would carry a heavy head of stock, but it is not
utilised much for grazing. Crop yields are heavy here.
Upper Flowerdale.
Mixed farming and dairying are carried on at this centre. Pota-
toes are planted from April to October, and the yield is from
6 to 10 tons per acre. The dairying industrv is making headway.
Cocksfoot and other grasses and clovers do well, and last in the
ground from five to seven vears. Partly cleared and cleared farms
run from £8 to £25 per acre. La'nd scrubbed, grassed, and
fenced, without further improvements, from £3 to £8 per acre.
The land is increasing in value as the metal roads are extending
further back. The number of head of cattle the land will carry
188
varies according to the clearing and grassing done. A fair average
would be two sheep to an acre and one beast to 3 acres. If fod-
der crops are grown the average is much higher. On one of the
best 400 acres, with fodder and grass land, there were reared 800
lambs and fattened for market ; 400 ewes were fed and 10 cows
milked ; besides running surplus cattle, horses, &c, to work the
farm. Out of the 400 acres, 60 acres were planted with potatoes,
oats, &c, for marketing.
Table Cape.
Mixed farming — potatoes, oaten hay, oats, blue peas, wheat
barley, in the order named. The district is admirably adapted for
dairying and grazing. Uncleared land is valued at about £6 per
acre ; improved farms, £25 per acre ; minimum area to make
a living on, 50 acres ; fruit land, uncleared, from £3 to £10 per
acre; cost of clearing ranges from £10 to £20 per acre. Grass
land will carry three sheep to 2 acres, one cow to 3 acres; on
scrubbed and grassed land, one cow to 4 acres, if firewood and
ferns kept down.
SCOTTSDALE WEST.
This district is admirably adapted for dairying as it is well
watered, and grows grass and clovers to perfection. Mixed farm-
ing is carried on — peas, oats, potatoes, roots. Drabsoil partially
cleared is worth from £3 to £8 per acre. Chocolate soil partially
cleared and grassed rises in value from £10 to £14 per acre. The
minimum area to make a living on dairying is 100 acres. Clearing
land suited for orcharding costs £10 per acre. The land will run
two sheep to an acre or one beast to 4 acres-
SCOTTSDALE.
All classes of farming and horticulture are carried on here, but
dairying is perhaps the most profitable. First-class cleared farms
are worth £20 per acre, and 100 acres are sufficient to make a
living on. This price applies also to cleared fruit land of first-class
quality close to the railway. Uncleared fruit land can be had for
£1 per acre. As much as £100 per acre have been taken off an
orchard in this district in one season. Some farms will carry from
5 to 10 sheep per acre; others only one.
LlLYDALE.
About 2000 acres, also smaller holdings suitable for orcharding
and mixed farming, are available in this district.
Avoca.
There is not much land available in this district, as it is mostly
held as large estates used as sheep-runs, but well adapted for
189
mixed farming, — hay, wheat, and cereals. Price of land £2 to £3
per acre. Taking the good with the bad land the area required for
a holding is not less than 1000 acres. It will carry one sheep
to the acre, which number could be increased by cropping.
Frankford.
Grass, dairying, and rearing stock ; most profitable farm products,
oats and potatoes; price of land from 30s. to £7; minimum area
required 150 acres; fruit land, cleared, £1 ; uncleared, £3 per acre.
When fenced against rabbits and cleared would carry four sheep
per acre ; one beast per acre.
St. Helens.
Crown land is available in this district at £1 per acre, first-class;
100 acres scrubbed and grassed sufficient to make a living by dairy-
ing. Second-class land is available suitable for fruitgrowing at a
cost of 10s. per acre; clearing costs from £10 to £15 per acre.
Land can be cleared, fenced, and planted with fruit trees for £20
to £25 per acre. The land will carry when cleared and grassed
one cow on 3-5 acres ; three sheep per acre. There are nearly
100 acres of young orchard land in this district. Large areas of
land near the port are still available. The fruit colours well here.
Dairying is carried on at Pyengana, Gould's Country, New Eng-
land, and Upper Scamander. The cheese factory at Pyengana pro-
duces 70 to 80 tons of cheese per annum, and in addition there
are large dairymen who do not supply the factory. Gould's Coun-
try also possesses a factory. Pyengana is 20 miles from St. Helens.
Gould's Country 12 miles, and Scamander 12 miles. The reads ar-3
good, and so is the fishing, &c, in this part of the island. There are
considerable areas open for selection suitable for grazing. The
climate is perhaps as mild as any part of the State. Transport oy
steamer to Hobart or Launceston at 17s. per ton.
St. Marys.
The district is a long-settled one, and there is no land now for
sale. The land is occupied mostly for pastoral purposes and dairy
farming, but since the railway opened in 1886 cereals are on the
increase. The farming community here is divisible into three
elasses : —
(1) Pastoralists in the valley of the Break o'Dav, who also
grow wheat and oats.
(2) Tenants in the valley who rent portions of the above estates
and grow the same cereals.
(3) Settlers in the hill districts, opened up since the sixties,
chiefly by Germans, and who grow enough for their
own use, and who sell in the district chieflv.
190
There is no land for sale here, all available sites having long
since been taken up. It is not an orcharding district. Recently
very fair land has been discovered in the broken country of hills
and gorges, between Mt. Nicholas and Mt. Victoria, which is a
heavily-timbered country, and more or less unexplored.
The drawback to the cold plains in this district is the perishable
nature of the timber, which consists of cabbage-gum, swamp-gum
(the open country variety), and white-gum, all of which suffer trom
the cold and windy climate, and are continually on the break down,
causing a litter, which requires continually clearing up. This mili-
tates now, with the high price of labour, aganst keeping the runs
clear. A run, or paddock, cleared up will, in seven to nine years,
be just as " dirty " again.
Carnarvon.
Dairying and orcharding are the principal industries on Tas-
man's Peninsula. Cultivation consists principally in growing
fodder for stock. One hundred acres of land is considered a suffi-
cient area to make a living on the good land. There is plenty of
land in this district suitable for orcharding ; clearing light scrub
costs from £5 to £15; heavily timbered costs £25 to clear ready
for the plough. Orchards newly-planted cost £40 per acre ; in full
bearing £100. Scrub land, grassed, the first season will carry a
fat beast to the acre, but after two or three years it will take about
3 acres to keep a cow, and about three sheep to the acre. During
July, August, and September stock will require feeding or to be
turned on to a bush run.
Wattle Grove.
Fruit culture is the chief industry in this district. Apples, pears,
stone fruit, and berries grow well. Uncleared land runs in price
from £5 to £10 per acre; cleared land £40; orchards newly planted
£50; in full bearing £100 upwards per acre. Roughly cleared land
will carry one beast or five sheep to the acre. If tillage employed
this number could be increased. A capital of t.2000 should pur-
chase a property with a turnover of between £400 or £500 per
annum.
Tyenna.
The hop is the most profitable crop on the river flats. Pota-
toes and vegetables grow well. There is fine grass country, and
the district is admirably suited to dairying. The bulk of the land
is held by the Crown, and costs from 10s. to £1 per acre to pur-
chase, and £3 per acre to scrub the timber, ring, and burn-off, and
sow with grass. A few settlers will sell at prices ranging from £6
to £8 per acre, which means 3 or 4 acres under cultivation, and
from 50 to 100 acres in grass on roughly-cleared land. Small
fruits grow well here. The land will carry two sheep to the acre
191
.all the year round, but owing to the rough state of the country
each acre is taken up to the extent of about 2 square chains by
standing timber, logs, bark, and rubbish. It will carry one beast
to every 4 or 5 acres all the year round. Apples grow well, out
take the black spot, as no spraying is carried out. If the settler
grows hops a small area will suffice for a living ; but for mixed
farming, which is general, it is considered that from 100 to 150
.acres are required to live on.
Glen Huon.
Land for sale under freehold is rare in this centre. The cost of
clearing new land and preparing same for orchard purposes varies
from £20 to £25 per acre. Orchards in full-bearing costs from
£100 to £150 per acre to purchase. Roughly cleared land will
depasture two head of cattle per acre in summer. In winter
3 acres are required to support one beast. Crown land exists at
the Denison and Weld Rivers-
Apple Orchard, Lilydale.
192
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02
"GAME PROTECTION ACT, 1907."
Regulations for the Protection of the Mutton-bird.
(Puffinus tenuirostris.)
1. Mutton-'birds may be killed, taken, or captured only during the
period commencing from the 20th day of March, and ending on the
20th day of May (both days inclusive) in each year.
2. Licences to kill, take, and capture mutton-birds may be issued by
the Secretary for Lands or any person authorised by him at any time
during the said period, or within one calendar month immediately
prior to the commencement of the said period, and shall be and continue
in force during the whole or remainder of the said period, as the case
may be.
3. The fees payable for licences shall be as follows: —
s. d.
(a) For every person under the age of 10 years at the
time of the commencement of the licence 5 0
(h) For every person above the age of 10 years at the
time of the commencement of the licence 10 0
4. Licences shall be in the form contained in the schedule or to the
like effect, and shall not be transferable.
5. No horses, neat cattle, sheep, pigs, or other animals except dogs
shall be allowed upon any Crown land reserved as a hunting-ground
for mutton-birds, and all dogs shall be kept chained.
6. These regulations may be enforced by all bailiffs of Crown lands,
police officers, and constables of Tasmania.
7. Any person who shall be guilty of a breach of any of these regula-
tions shall for every such offence forfeit and pay a penalty not exceed-
ing Five Pounds.
8. All offences against these regulations shall be heard and deter-
mined, and all penalties be recovered in a summary way by and before
any two or more justices of the peace in the mode prescribed by ''The
Magistrates Summary Procedure Act,' and any person aggrieved by
any conviction under these regulations may appeal therefrom in man-
ner directed by 'The Appeals Regulation Act."
9. No person shall, from the 1st day of September in any year until
the 10th day of February inclusive in the next ensuing year, land or
enter upon any island which has been proclaimed a hunting-ground
for mutton-birds.
196
Regulations Controlling1 the Hunting of Kangaroo
and Opossum.
1. No person shall hunt kangaroo or opossums on Crown lands without
a licence.
2. Licences to hunt kangaroo and opossums on Crown lands within
any municipality may be obtained from bailiffs of Crown lands, or from
any person whom the Commissioner of Crown Lands may appoint for the
purpose, on payment of the sum of Five Pounds.
3. Every licence shall be in the form in the schedule prescribed, and
shall be in force from the date of the commencement of the licence until
the commencement of the next close seasons respectively for kangaroo
and opossums.
4. Any person who shall be guilty of a breach of any of these regu-
lations shall for every such offence forfeit and pay a penalty not
exceeding Ten Pounds.
5. No hunting licence may be issued in respect of land which is held
under lease from the Crown for pastoral or mining purposes, except
with the consent in writing of the officer who issued the licence.
6. The open season for kangaroo-hunting is from 1st April to 31st July
of each year, and for opossums from 1st June until 31st July.
GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
On sale, at bhe price* and places named hereunder : —
Government Printing Department.
(Stamps will not he received in payment.)
Abel Janszoon Tasman, his Life and Voyages: £ s. d.
by James Backhouse Walker, F.R.G.S. (post
paid) 0 2 0-J-
Acts of Parliament, Assessment and Valuation
Rolls, &c, per sheet 0 0 4
An Angler's Guide: Sport with Rod and Line,
124 pp., -31 plates. (Postage extra — Aus-
tralian, Old. i 0 10
Australia's Playground and "Health Resort, 188
pp., 107 plates, one (1) map. (Postage extra-
Australian, Id.) 0 1 0
Crown Land Laws and Timber Industry, 48
pp., 19 plates, one (1) map. (Postage extra —
Australian, Oid.) 0 0 6
Early Tasmania : by James Backhouse Walker,
F.R.G.S. Pp. viii. and 290; with Portrait
of the author and numerous interesting
Charts. Demy octavo, cloth boards (post
paid) ... 0 4 11
Eucalypts of Tasmania and their Essential Oils,
A Research on: by R. T. Baker, F.L.S., and
H. G. Smith, F.C.S., Technological Museum,
Sydney. 76 pp. and 4 plates. Price posted... 0 16^
Friendly Societies Act. Regulations under (post
paid) 0 0 6\
Geology. — A Systematic Account of the Geology
of Tasmania: by R. M. Johnston, F.L.S.,
Government Statistician and Registrar-
General of the State of Tasmania. Pp. xxi.
and 409, and 57 pages of Typical Fossils;
with 23 Engravings, Maps, Sections, &c.
Published by authority of the Government,
and printed at the Government Press. Royal
quarto, half-bound in calf 3 3 0
Handbook of Tasmania, complete, full cloth,
440 pp., 215 plates, three (3) maps. (Postage
extra — Australian, 2^d.) 0 5 0
Handbook of Tasmania, complete, paper,
boards, 440 pp., 215 plates, three (3) maps.
(Postage extra — Australian, 2kl.) 0 3 6
His Worship — A Manual of Procedure for Tas-
manian Justices of the Peace: by E. W.
Turner, M.A., LL.B. (posted) ' 0 4 1
Index to "The Licensing Act, 1902:" by Llovd
Eld Chambers (post paid) *....*... 0 1 U-!
Index to "The Police Act, 1905" (post paid)... 0 1 0\
Index to the Statutes of Tasmania : by J. K.
Reid (post paid) ... 0 3 7
Information for immigrants and Statistics, 88
pp., 53 plates. (Postage extra — Australian,
2id.) 0 0 6
198
Notes on the Aborigines of Tasmania : by G. £ s. d.
W. Walker, with an introduction bv J. B.
Walker. F.R.S. (post paid) U 1 0|
Orcharding. Dairy, Poultry, and General Farm-
ing, 84 pp., 42 plates, one (1) map. (Postage
extra— Australian, Old.) 0 0 6
Port Dalrymple — The Discovery and Occupa-
tion of : bv James Backhouse Walker,
F.R.G.S. (post paid) 0 0 6|
Regulations for Securing the Cleanliness and
Freedom from Contamination of Meat under
"The Food and Drugs Act, 1910" (posted)... 0 0 3£
Regulations under " The Inflammable Oils Act.
1910" (posted) _ 0 0 3i
Regulations under " The Factories Act, 1910 "
(posted) 0 0 3i
Rocks and Minerals of Tasmania : by R. M.
Johnston. F.L.S. 55 pp., with plates. Royal
quarto, cloth boards (post paid) 0 5 1
Rules under Bankruptcy, Common Law Pro-
cedure, Debtors, Equity Procedure, and
Matrimonial Causes Acts, per sheet 0 0 4
Standards and Regulations under " The Food
and Drugs Act, 1910" (posted) 0 0 6£
Statutes of Tasmania, alphabetically arranged:
bv F. Stops. From 7 George 4th '(1826) to 64
Victoria (1901). New Edition (Vol. I.: A-C ;
Vol. II.: D-L; Vol. III.: M-R; Vol. IV.:
S-Y). Half-bound law calf (post paid), per
vol. ... 1 1 3
Ditto. Imitation Leather (post paid), per
vol. ... ...... 0 16 9
Ditto. Interleaved with ruled imitation
parchment paper for annotating purposes.
Half-bound law calf (post paid), per vol. ... 1 9 0
Vol. V. : Local and Personal. Half-bound
law calf (post paid), per vol 114
Ditto. Imitation Leather (post paid) 0 16 10
Tasmanian Flora : by L. Rodway. Government
Botanist of Tasmania. 340 pp. Illustrated
with 50 Drawings of Typical Species. Royal
octavo, boards (post paid) 0 7 2
The Deportation of the Norfolk Islanders to
the Derwent in 1808 : by James Backhouse
Walker, F.R.G.S. (post paid) 0 0 6.V
The Tasmanian Aborigines: bv James Back-
house Walker, F.R.G.S. (post paid) ... 0 0 HI
*" Tasmanian Government Gazette." published
everv Tuesday, annual subscription (post
paid') ..." ... 12 6
Notices intended for publication in the
" Gazette " should reach the office not later
than noon on Monday.
'' Tasmanian Government Gazette." current
year (post paid), per copy 0 0 6.V
• Tasmanian Government Gazette." previous
year (post paid), per copy 0 1 0V
'"Tasmanian Government Gazette." annual
subscription, including Acts passed during
the year (post paid) 1 13 6
199
Tasmania!) Nomenclature, A Record of, with £ s. d.
Dates and Origins: compiled by ) . Moore-
Robinson. 106 pp. Price posted 0 () (i\
Vice-Admiralty Court Rides (post paid) 0 1 0i
Lands and Surveys Department.
Maps, Plans, ct'c.
(Stamps will not he received in payment.)
Crown Lands Guide, 1914 (paper cover) 0 10
Ditto (cloth cover)... 0 2 0
Tasmanian Forestry, Timber Products, and
Sawmilling Industry 0 1 0
Large Map of Tasmania, plain 0 15 0
Ditto, coloured ... 10 0
Regulations for conducting Survey of laud in
Tasmania Free
Medium-sized Map of Tasmania, plain 0 2 6
Ditto, coloured 0 5 0
Electoral Map of Tasmania 0 2 6
Municipal Map of Tasmania 0 2 6
Small Map of Tasmania, plain 0 10
Ditto, coloured 0 2 0
Geological Map of Tasmania (small) 0 2 0
Tourist Map of S.E. Tasmania 0 0 6
Map of Hobart and Suburbs, plain 0 2 6
Ditto, coloured 0 5 0
Map of City of Hobart, showing details of
alienated lands, &c, in 6 sheets, per sheet ... 0 1 0
Ditto, in 2 sheets, per sheet 0 1 0
Map of Suburbs of Hobart, in 4 sheets, per
sheet 0 10
Copies of County Maps, for each sheet or part
thereof 0 10
Sheet of County Map entered up to date 0 2 6
Copies of Town Plans, for each sheet 0 1 0
Tracings, from Is. to 10s. each.
Diagram Forms, each 0 1 0
Plotting Forms, per doz 0 2 0
Regulations under " Crown Lands Act " Free.
Besides the various Maps of Tasmania and Hobart
and the County Sheets mentioned above. Lithographic
Copies of the following Towns can be obtained: —
Avoca, Argenton, Alberton, Allison, Alma, Apsley,
Adelaide. Auburn, Beaconslield, Both well, Branxholm,
Bellerive, Boobyalla, Buckland, Bracknell, Burgess,
Bicheno. Bridport. Brighton, Bridgewater (South). Bra-
bazon, Campbell Town, Cradoc, Cleveland, Carnarvon,
Crotty, Colebrook, Chudleigh, Copping, Cookville, Carrick,
Crawford. Camden, Currie, Corinna, Cheshunt, Cornwall,
Darwin, Devonport, Deloraine, Derby, Douglas, Dundas,
Deddington, Dunalley, Dulcot, Dorchester, Elizabeth
Town. Elderslie, Enfield, Exeter, Fingal, Franklin, Fal-
mouth, Folkstone, George Town, Gladstone, Gormanston,
Gordon, Hamilton, Hobart, Hythe, Hamilton-on-Forth,
Heybrid^o, Harford, Heazlewood, Hadspen, Hellyer,
Howden, Hull, Havelock, Henrietta, Ilfracombe, Inver-
m.iv. Jacob's Boat Harbour, Kettering. Kermode, Kun-
nara, Koonya. Kempton. Latrobe, Leith. Launceston,
200
Liverpool, Liena, Leven, Lincoln. Longford, Lymington,
Lovett, Lefroy. Leslie, Lottah, Long Bay, Llewellyn, Len-
non, Lynchford, Lewisham, Macquarie Heads, Montagu,
Magnet, Mangana, Moorina, Mathinna, Marlborough,
Minnow, Napier, New Norfolk, Nubeena, Oatlands,
Orford, Perth, Parattah, Patersonia, Pagunta, Poimena,
Pillinger, Picton, Pontville, Pioneer, Pontypool, Queens-
town, Richmond. Ross, Ramsgate, Ringville, Rhyndaston,
Risdon, Riana, Ridgeway, Rose'bery, Rokeby. Remine.
Sheffield, St. Marys, St. Helens, Swanston. Swansea,
Sorell, Springfield, Smithton, Somerset, Strahan, Star-
ford, Seymour, Summerleas, Scottsdale, Sonthbridge,
Sidmouth, Shelstone, Shepton-Montacute, Stieglitz,
Tarleton, Triabunna, Tunnack. Tullah, Tunbridge,
Taranna, Ulverstone, Upway. Underwood, Victoria,
Wynyard, Westbury, Waratah, Welsh, Weldborough,
Walpole, Wivenhoe, Woodstock. Wiangata, Williams-
ford, York Town, Zeehan.
Mines Department.
Maps, Plans, &c.
Copies of the following Plans, Reports, &c, may be
obtained at the Office of Mines, Davey-street, Hobart,
or will be forwarded to any address on prepayment by
post-office order or otherwise of the price thereof : —
Rules under Section 196 of " The Mining Act," £ s. d.
calico 0 1 0
Abstract of Part VIII. of "The Mining Act,
1905," calico 0 10
Sketch-maps of the West Coast of Tasmania,
showing localities of the various mineral
deposits, tracks, &c, for use of prospectors.
per plan 0 1 0
Plans for various gold and mineral fields,
viz.- — Beaconsfield, Mt. Lyell, Lefroy. Mt.
Zeehan, Parish of Kay, &c, per plan 0 1 0
Reports by the Government Geologists upon
various mineral localities throughout the
State, published previous to 1-1-1900, Is. to
2s. each.
Ditto, ditto, published since 1st January,
1900, free.
Annual Reports of the Mines Department,
from Is. 6d to 5s.
Regulations under " Mining Act, 1905,"
pamphlet 0 1 0
Act and Regulations 0 2 6
Quarterly Reports on the Progress of the
Mineral Industry, free.
Recorder of Titles.
Map of Hobart and Sandy Bay, distinguishing
land under " Torrens' Act," 5 sheets 0 5 0
On single sheet, each 0 1 6
Plan of Lindisfarne 0 1 6
Mr. R. F. Young's Guide for Computation of
Fees and Stamp Duty, under " The Real
Property (Torrens') Act" 0 2 0
Diagram Forms each 0 1 0
Tables for the Transposition of Feet and Links 0 1 0
GOV I : R N M EN T FEES.
The following is a list of Fees payable to the undermen-
tioned Departments: —
Lands and Survey Department.
(Stamps will not be received.) £ s. d.
Certificate of Location Order ... 0 5 0
Preparation of Grant Deed 0 15 0
Application to purchase Crown land . 0 1 0
Application to lease Crown land 0 1 0
Transfer of land held on credit, 3d. in the £1
on purchase-money, and Stamp Duty in
accordance with " The Stamp Duties Act."
Transfer of Pastoral Lease, Is. in the £1 on
the annual rental, and Stamp Duty.
Charge for advertising issue of Grant Deed
under Section 104 of 3 Edward VII. No. 39 0 15 0
Search of Records made on behalf of other than
the actual selector or holder of Crown land
concerned, or other than search made on
behalf of any public authority acting in the
public interest, fee for each search 0 2 6
Information supplied as result of such search... 0 10
Copies of Records supplied per folio of 72
words 0 10
Mines Department.
Prospectors' Licences, per annum 0 10 0
If issued after 30th June in any year ... 0 5 0
Miners' Rights, per annum 0 5 0
If issued after 30th June in any year ... 0 2 6
Duplicate Prospector's Licence or Miner's
Right .. ... ; 0 10
Registration of Application for Miner's Claim
(single) ... ... 0 2 6
Registration of Application for Miner's Claim
(amalgamated) 0 5 0
Filing objection to Registration of Miner's
Right Claim 0 2 6
Certificate of Registration of Miner's Right
Claim ... _.. „ 0 2 6
On filing with Registrar any application for
Lease ... _.. 10 0
Amalgamation of Lots under application for
lease ... 10 0
Consolidation of Leases (each lease) 1 0 0
Filing objection to application for Lease or
Licence (in addition to a deposit of £5) ... 1 0 0
Filing Noticti of Marking-off Lessee's Timber
Reserve 1 0 0
Certificate of Registration of Lessee's Tinvher
Reserve (each lease) 0 5 0
All Certificates not above mentioned 0 1 0
Exemption of Mining Tenements held under
Lease, Licence, or otherwise, from covenant
as to expenditure 0 5 0
202
£ s. d.
Registration of owner of Quartz. &c.; stacked 0 5 0
Filing and Recording any Transfer of Applica-
tion (or interest therein) for Lease or Licence 0 10 0
Filing and recording any Transfer of Lease or
Licence 1 0 0
Filing and Recording any Transfer of Miner's
Right Claim (single) ..." 0 2 6
Filing and Recording any Transfer of Miner's
Right Claim (amalgamated) 0 5 0
Copy of Surveyor's Plan (for each claim) 0 5 0
Tracing of Surveyor's Plan (for each claim) ... 0 1 0
Copy of Surveyor's Notes of Survey 0 2 6
Copy of Surveyor's Report 0 2 6
Inspection of Surveyor's Plan and Report ... 0 1 0
Copy of Form of Lease or Licence 0 1 0
Certified Copy of Records, not exceeding 74
words 0 2 6
Certified Copy of Records, for every additional
74 words or part thereof 0 1 0
Certified Copy of Lease or Counterpart 0 10 0
Search for. or inspection of, any Application,
or record of any, for Lease or Licence, or of
any Mining Company's Register or other
record 0 1 0
Examining for and granting any Mine Man-
ager's Certificate * 1 0 0
For every Statement of Claim taken before a
"Warden under Part XI. of the Act, if ten-
dered ready drawn 0 2 t>
The Like, if drawn by a Warden or Registrar 0 5 0
For every Notice of Defence filed with a War-
den, if tendered ready drawn 0 2 6
The Like, if drawn by a Warden or Registrar 0 5 0
For everv Summons drawn bv a Warden or
^ Registrar ..' ... 0 2 6
For every Copy thereof 0 1 0
Fee on filing Caveat with Secretary for Mines 0 10 0
Fee on Application for Renewal of Lease or
Licence 1 0 0
Deposits.
With Objection to Applications for Lease (in
addition to the Objection Fee of £1) 5 0 0
With Applications for Forfeiture (for each
Lease) 5 0 0
(Or if machinery of the value of £200 is stand-
ing upon the land, then £10 instead of £5.)
JOHN VAIL,
GOVERNMENT PRINTER, TASMANIA.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
PRION m
U)JURL
REC'O LD-URL MAR
Form L9-32m-8,'58(5876s4)444
;BD TasTnnnia. Dftpt. nfl
10° 1 Lands and Works -J
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