Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 223
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82
BURNETT & WIDE BAY DISTRICT.
DESCRIPTION OF MARYBOROUGH, WIDE BAY THE SEAPORT
Maryborough is situated on the north bank of the River Murray, thirty six miles from the Heads. From [indecipherable] to Double Island Point about forty miles - At the entrance of the Bay there is a bar, the least dangerous that is yet known on the eastern coast. The depth of water on it at low tide, is two & a half fathoms - the navigation of the Bay is intricate on account of numerous shoals and sea banks, but by keeping a good look out, and continually [indecipherable] the channel may be found as [indecipherable] the same preventions must be adopted by fifteen or twenty miles of the entering of the river Heads. Any vessel not drawing more than fourteen feet of water can come up to the wharf at Maryborough - the banks of the river for some miles below and many miles above the township are covered by dense scrub, in some places upwards of a half a mile in depth - This land when Cleared is of the most valuable description for agricultural purposes - In the cooler portions of the year it will grow any kind of garden produce, maize, potatoes, pease [peas], beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, radishes, onions, cabbage, yams bananas, pine apples, grapes, peaches, tobacco, Cotton etc. In fact, it will grow all kinds of garden produce, useful or ornamental. A considerable quantity of land has been sold at Maryborough in sections of from 20 to 40 acres especially suitable for farming.
Two crops of maize can be got in one year each crop yielding from 90 to 100 bushels of per acre.
Cotton does well, a sample of Cotton grown in Wide Bay district was sent to England the opinion upon it was most favourable, as yet no attention has been paid to its cultivation. Hundreds of acres of good alluvial land are yet to be sold, Land is put up in sections of 30, 40, 50 acres at an [ indecipherable] price varying from one pound to three.
The town allotments are put up at £12 per acre - In Consequence of the small [indecipherable]
of inhabitants there has been a little or no [indecipherable][ competition?] so that the land has been sold for little more than the [indecipherable] price - the highest price yet given was £60 for some very choice allotments - the scrubs in the neighbourhood, produce an abundance of Pine & [cedar?] in the forest land are iron bark, bloodwood & gum in many varieties useful not only for house building & fencing, but also for Shipbuilding, At present a Schooner is building of about one hundred tons.
STEAM TO WIDE BAY 18th JANUARY 1855
The Steamer City of Melbourne is now plying regularly between Brisbane. The Boomerang Steam Ship sails for Wide Bay every alternate thursday, Charge for Stock by this vessel, for horse £5. Sheep under 20 head each 4/- above 20 head 3/6 each. All wool sent for Shipment by
the Boomerang is [indecipherable] & stored free of charge at Brisbane & forwarded to Sydney without delay -