Transcription

DISTRICT OF DARLING

DATE OF OCCUPATION MAY 1840

The earliest expedition for the purpose of farming a Settlement as a Sheep farmer or Cattle grazier in this district was performed by Mr Leslie in January 1840.  In May he passed out through Byron Plains with his stock of sheep and Cattle to take possession of his run and arrived at his [indecipherable] in Canning Downs in June.
This station is situated on the southern branch of the Condomine on the downs named by Mr Cunningham in complement to the late the Humble George Canning.  Mr Leslie was in possession of drawings and followed in the track [indecipherable] over by the late Mr Cunningham this caused him to keep the present low line of road by Byron Plains seldom now used except by Travellers to the lower part of the Condamine and Baloune Rivers.
At the same time Mr Leslie settled in Darling district the district of Moreton was still a penal settlement. Consequently the communication was opened up with the Sea Coast - The great Northern line of road did not extend beyond Tenterfield  Consequently Cunninghams track continued to be followed.

The aborigines of this district were at first troublesome this had been the Case at the early settlement of every northern district. This country being now formally adapted for sheep farming their presence about the stations of the settlers is not so annoying as about those occupied by the Cattle graziers -  the appearance of Blacks upon a Cattle run rushes the Cattle from their quiet camps of Settlers the herds all over the country, Consequently it is the duty of all stockmen to[?] the blacks from their Cattle runs.
The Blacks are as peacably disposed towards the settlers and their shepherds in this distant country as in any of these northern districts, the settlers have every where chosen the open country for their sheep stations running flocks and Travellers now find themselves safe encamped in the bush

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