Transcription

74

18c

DISTRICT OF NEW ENGLAND

OCCUPATION of THE LOWER & UPPER WARDS OF NEW ENGLAND etc.

The lower ward of New England (Say between Walcha & Armadale) began to be occupied between the years 1832 & 1835.      From Armadale to Tenterfield including the Bundarra Country, and Byron Plains, between 1835 & 1840, Darling District began to be occupied in June 1840.      These two Districts with the newly acquired district of Burnett including Wide bay or Say between 25 & 31 South latitude & 150 30 & 52 30 east longitude, may be said to be the districts in the Northern Country where flocks of Sheep are increasing

We find the district of New England partially occupied Since 1832 a period of twenty three years and may Make a Calculation that the pastoral Character of the entire district has been tested up to this Year 1855 for fifteen years; and that of the district of Darling downs which has been partially occupied Since 1840 a period of fifteen years that the pastoral Character of the entire district has been tested for twelve years

The pastoral Character of Burnett & Wide Bay district either for grazing Sheep or Cattle has not been Sufficiently tested to give an opinion regarding the grazing of either ------ On the 1st of January 1850 the return of Sheep in this district was 327 : 168.      Horned Cattle 8,810 & Horses 591.

The runs of the Settlers in the district of Burnett & Wide Bay are Situated to the eastward of the Main dividing range, the furthest being at a distance of about one hundred & fifty miles from Maryborough in Wide Bay;      The pastoral Character of this district for grazing either Sheep or Cattle has been described as much like that of the Hunter River district,      The Climate however is much warmer, the pasturage good but failing fast.      The flockmen State that the fleece of a Sheep in the Wide Bay portion of the district is reduced to one pound and a half instead of two pounds & a half their former New England Clip, the wool however being finer is more valuable which may make up for the deficiency in weight.

The whole of the Sheep runs in the Northern districts are at present large affording every facility for the Sheep farmers to graze with freedom from mixing with diseased flocks, & for the increase of their own.

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