— Queensland —
The Rich but Sparsely Peopled Country

RATES OF WAGES IN QUEENSLAND.

Ordinary Farm Labourers.

20s. to 27s. 6d. per week with board and lodging.

Ploughmen.

20s. to 30s. per week with board and lodging.

Harvest Hands (Wheat).

5s. to 7s. per day with board and lodging.

Ordinary General Labourers.

7s. to 8s. 6d. per day.

Navvies.

8s. to 10s. per day.

Dairy Hands—Men.

20s. to 25s. per week with board and lodging.

Dairy Hands—Boys.

10s. to 20s. per week with board and lodging.

Cane-cutters.

11s. to 12s. per day of eight hours, or 5s. to 7s. 6d. per ton.

Cane Farm Chippers.

37s. to 39s. per week with board and lodging, or 8s. 8d. to 9s. 2d. per day of eight hours without board and lodging.

Boiler Attendants and Engine-drivers.

8s. to 12s. per day.

Fitters and Engineers.

11s. to 14s. per day.

Carpenters and Joiners.

12s. to 14s. per day.

Cabinet-makers.

11s. to 13s. 4d. per day.

Bricklayers.

13s. to 14s. per day.

Wheelwrights.

9s. 4d. to 13s. per day.

Blacksmiths (General).

9s. 4d. to 15s. per day.

Blacksmiths (Engineering).

11s. to 12s. 6d. per day.

Plumbers.

11s. to 13s. per day.

Tinsmiths.

9s. to 11s. per day.

Axemen.

20s. to 35s. per week with board and lodging, 6s. to 8s. per day.

Sawmill Hands.

8s. to 12s. 4d. per day.

Married Couples.

(Man, farm; Wife, cook) £80 to £120 per annum with board and lodging. On sheep and cattle stations married couples are provided with a furnished cottage, rations, and other perquisites to the value of about £3 per week in addition to their wages.

Stockmen and Boundary Riders.

From 20s. to 35s. per week and found. Where married men are employed on sheep and cattle stations, they are allowed, in addition to their wages, a furnished house, rations, and other perquisites to the value of about £3 per week. Single men similarly employed get, besides their wages, board and lodging and other perquisites equivalent to what it would cost them for board and lodging in the township.

Useful Lads.

10s. to 15s. per week with board and lodging.

Grooms.

15s. to 30s. per week with board and lodging.

Female Domestics.

10s. to 30s. per week with board and lodging.

Cooks (Male and Female).

20s. to 40s. per week with board and lodging.

Gardeners.

6s. to 8s. per day and one meal.

FACTS WORTH KNOWING.

Where is Queensland?

The State of Queensland is situated in the northeast of the island-continent of Australia, between latitude 29 deg. and 10 deg. south; longitude 153-1/2 and 138 deg. east.

What is Queensland?

The richest State of the Commonwealth of Australia, with an area of 429,120,000 acres, over 3,000 miles of coast line, and the healthiest climate in the world.

How to get to Queensland.

By any of the great steamship companies’ boats that call at Brisbane (the capital), or by any vessel sailing for Australian ports.

Where to get Particulars re Passages.

At the Queensland Agent-General’s Office, Marble Hall, 409 and 410 Strand, London, W.C., and Immigration Depôt, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.

Free Passages.

These are granted from the United Kingdom to any port of Queensland to agricultural labourers introduced under contract.

Conditions of Free Passages.

The employer must pay a fee of £7 for each labourer introduced, provide him with suitable accommodation, and guarantee him a year’s work at wages approved by the Government.

Approved Immigrants.

Approved immigrants can obtain a passage to any port in Queensland at the following rates:—Males, 12 years and upwards, £7; females, 12 years and upwards, £3; immigrants’ children (1 year and under 12 years), £1 10s. Maximum age: Males, married women, and widows, 45 years; single women, 35 years.

On What Conditions?

The sum of £1 must be deposited with the Agent-General, in addition to the prescribed fees. This sum is refunded to the immigrant on arrival. In the case of families applying for passages as assisted immigrants, one deposit only covers the whole family.

Nominated Immigrants.

Residents of Queensland with a qualification of at least six months’ permanent residence therein can obtain passages for their friends and relatives in Great Britain and Europe only at the rates already stated.

Assisted Passages.

Approved females (between the ages of 18 and 35 years), prepared to accept domestic service for twelve months, may obtain passages to Queensland on payment of £1 before sailing, the balance of the fare (£2) to be paid by monthly instalments within six months after their arrival in Queensland. Passages may also be granted to farm lads (between 16 and 20 years of age) on payment of £1 before sailing, the balance of the passage money (£6) to be paid by monthly instalments within six months after their arrival in Queensland. Employment is guaranteed in every case, and the lads must consent to work on a farm for, at least, twelve months.

What Queensland Offers.

An easy living to any industrious man or woman in the healthiest climate in the world.

What Queensland Wants.

Thousands of able-bodied men and women to fill up her empty spaces and develop her resources.

Employment.

Agricultural labourers and domestic servants are in great demand at good rates of wages. (See wages list at pages 3 to 5.)

Where to get Information in England.

At the office of the Agent-General, Marble Hall, 409 and 410 Strand, London, W.C.

What Population could Queensland Carry?

Queensland could easily carry a population of 50,000,000. At present she has only about 680,000 people.

Where to get Advice about Work on Arrival.

At the Government Labour Bureau, Edward street, Brisbane, or any of its branches throughout the State.

Where to get Information of Lands Available.

At the Land Settlement Inquiry Office, Lands Department, Executive Buildings, George street, Brisbane, or any local Government Land Agent throughout the State.

Where to get Information re Crops, Soils, etc.

At the Agricultural Department, William street, Brisbane.

Where to get Information about any Part of the Country, Travelling, and Rate of Living.

At the Government Intelligence and Tourist Bureau, corner of Queen and George streets, Brisbane.

Tourist Trips.

All information re tourists’ trips—especially the Great Northern coastal trip and magnificent scenery—can be obtained at the Government Intelligence and Tourist Bureau.

What can Queensland Produce?

With her immense area and variety of soils and climates Queensland can produce every crop that is found in the markets of the world, from barley to cocoa. Her mineral wealth is very great and scarcely tapped.

Crops.

Sugar-cane, wheat, oats, barley, rye, maize, lucerne, rape, cotton, tobacco (cigar and pipe), coffee, potatoes, fibres, rubber, ramie, pumpkins, sisal hemp, mangolds, sorghums, millet, rice, turnips, cowpea, canary seed, cassava, peanuts, arrowroot, and others.

Fruits.

Grapes, pineapples, bananas, oranges, lemons, mangoes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, figs, nectarines, quinces, strawberries, persimmons, passion fruit, almonds, blackberries, rosellas, custard apples, papaws, cocoanuts, Cape gooseberries, melons, guavas, loquats, and others.

Vegetables.

Cabbages, cauliflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes (English and sweet), lettuce, cress, mustard, turnips, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, asparagus, borecole, leeks, rhubarb, beans, chicory, squashes, onions, capsicums, eschalots, peas, seakale, salsify, yams, artichokes, choko, chillies, celery, and others, including herbs of all sorts.

Products.

Wool, leather, hides and skins, tallow, frozen meat, pork, sugar, molasses, malt, butter, cheese, flour, bran, pollard, cornflour, wine, condensed milk, jams and preserved fruits, manufactured timber, biscuits, confectionery, clothing of all kinds, mineral and aerated waters, &c.

Minerals.

Gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, iron, coal, wolfram, bitumen, antimony, manganese, bismuth, molybdenite, limestone, ironstone, scheelite, graphite, &c.

Gems.

Opal, topaz, sapphires, rubies, diamonds, agates, emeralds, zircon, oriental chrysoberyl, olivines, rock crystal, tourmaline, cornelian, amethyst, spinel, pleonaste, pyrope, cairngorm, white and yellow jargoon, carbonado.

What is the Area of Queensland?

429,120,000 acres, or 670,500 square miles.

What Area is under Cultivation?

920,010 acres.

Under Crop, 1913.

And various acreages in miscellaneous crops. Total area under crops, 747,814 acres.

Fruit.

Both tropical, sub-tropical, and deciduous fruits do well. Thirty years ago out of every 100 cases of oranges imported into Queensland 95 came from New South Wales. Now the citrus fruit industry has grown to such an extent that Queensland does not import 5 per cent., but has become a big exporter to Southern centres.

Pineapples.

Pineapples grow all the year round in Queensland.

Where are Fruits Principally Grown?

Deciduous fruits principally at Stanthorpe. Bananas, oranges, mangoes, citrus fruits, tomatoes, &c., in the North. Pineapples, oranges, and citrus fruit (in large quantities), peaches, bananas, passion fruit, melons, custard apples, &c., in the South. The Blackall Range and Cleveland have also become great strawberry-producing districts.

Where are the Crops and Products Raised?

Cereals, root crops, fodder plants, tobacco, cotton, English and sub-tropical fruits in the South. Sugar-cane, bananas, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and tropical products in the North. Wool on the Darling Downs and the great grazing districts west of the Main Range.

What is the Mean Annual Rainfall?

It varies considerably. Along the Pacific slope it runs approximately from 48 inches at Brisbane to 150 inches in the Far North. West of the Great Dividing Range the rainfall diminishes from 30 inches to about 10 inches, according to the distance from the Main Range.

What is the Climate Like?

The climate of Queensland is the most perfect winter season in the world.

But is not the Heat Great in Summer?

Although there are occasional hot days, the summer season is not unpleasant. The mean summer temperatures are:—South Queensland, from 66.5 to 76.7; Central, 80.5; South-western, 80.8; North, 81.2; North-western, 84.3.

Is it Healthy?

The death-rate in Queensland in 1913 was only 10.39 per 1,000.

But does the Climate Suit English and European People?

Yes. They live to a great age in the genial atmosphere of Queensland.

What Sort of People are already Settled in Queensland?

Scotch, Irish, English, Welsh, Germans, Danes, Italians, Swedes, Russians, and other people of White nationalities. Russians, Swedes, and Danes make splendid colonists, and are warmly welcomed.

Do People Often Return after Leaving Queensland?

Yes. Men who go home with the intention of spending the rest of their lives in England are constantly returning to Queensland.

What Openings are there in Queensland for the Investor?

There are numerous avenues of investment in sheep and cattle stations, farming and dairying on a large scale, city and country properties, mines and timber, in the development of secondary industries, and in the growing of rubber.

For the Man with Small Capital on Government Land?

With £150 to £200 a man can start dairying in a small way, and gradually increase his herd and operations. A good deal, of course, depends on the man.

Suppose he had £250 or £300?

He could make a good start with that.

Suppose he tried Fruit Growing?

With about £100 he could make a start. He could grow vegetables and minor crops until his trees grew old enough to bear, which would be in about three years from planting.

What could a Man do without Capital?

He could work for a station-owner or farmer until he had made enough to pay his deposit on the land he eventually selects.

Experienced Agricultural Labourers.

There is a great demand for this class.

Inexperienced Men.

Inexperienced men should take some employment and learn the methods of work in Queensland before sinking their capital in land or stock.

Domestic Servants.

Domestic servants, especially cooks, are in urgent demand at wages ranging from 10s. to 30s. per week.

Where Can Government Land be Obtained?

There are fifty-eight Land Agents’ Districts in Queensland, in all of which vacant Crown lands are still obtainable.

Agricultural Farms.

Agricultural farms vary from 10s. per acre upwards.

At what Age can a Person Select Land?

Over the age of 16 years.

Can a Man with Little Capital acquire Land?

Yes. If he pays the first deposit, the Crown may defer payment of the next three years’ rent.

When is this Payable?

It is divided over the fifth to the thirteenth year with interest at 4 per cent. per annum.

Can a Single Woman hold Government Land?

Yes; with the exception of a homestead area, if she is over 16 years.

Can She hold a Homestead Area?

Yes; if she is over 21 years.

What Land may Married Women hold from the Crown?

She may hold any selection not subject to personal residence conditions.

What Land a Married Woman cannot select from the Crown.

A married woman is not competent to select an agricultural homestead, a grazing homestead, free homestead, perpetual lease selection, agricultural farm, or prickly-pear selection, subject to the conditions of personal residence, unless she has obtained an order for judicial separation, or an order protecting her separate property.

Married Women’s Property Act.

Under “The Married Women’s Property Act, 1890,” she can hold any land, which she purchases absolutely, as if she were a man.

What are the Modes of Tenure?

• (1) Agricultural selection—i.e., agricultural farms, agricultural homesteads, perpetual lease selections, and free homesteads.
• (2) Grazing selections—i.e., grazing farms and grazing homesteads.
• (3) Unconditional selections.
• (4) Prickly-pear selections.

Twenty Years’ Purchase without Interest.

Twenty years are allowed in which to pay for an agricultural farm. No interest is charged.

Annual Instalment.

The annual instalment is 6d. in the £1—that is, 2-1/2 per cent., or 3d. per acre on 10s. land; 6d. per acre on £1 land; 1s. per acre on £2 land. The whole of this goes to principal.

Completing the Purchase.

At above rate, in twenty years the farm is half paid for, and during that time the farmer has had the use of the farm for much less than a fair rental. At the end of the twenty-first year, he is expected to pay the remaining half. Taking money as worth 5 per cent., this is equivalent to selling the land at half the proclaimed price.

Deposit Money.

On an agricultural farm, agricultural homestead, perpetual lease selection, grazing selection, and unconditional selection —one year’s rent, and 1/5th of survey fee; on free homestead—fee of £1, and 1/5th of survey fee; on prickly-pear selection—full amount of survey fee.

What is the Deposit on an Agricultural Farm of 160 Acres?

£3 16s., taking the price of the land at 10s. per acre.

When can such a Farm be made Freehold?

In five years.

Freehold Title.

Queensland offers an unencumbered freehold title. The deeds for an agricultural farm may be obtained at any time after five years by paying the outstanding balance.

Discount.

If such balance is paid off before it is due, a discount of 2-1/2 per cent. per annum is allowed.

Conditions for Agricultural Farms.

Maximum area, 2,560 acres (this, however, is allowed only in remote districts); price, from 10s. per acre upwards. The land must be fenced within five years, or other improvements effected equal in value to the cost of fencing. Five years’ personal residence or occupation as the case may require; thereafter, until made freehold, the condition of occupation must be performed.

Negotiable Leases.

The lease may be obtained as soon as the improvements are completed, and can be mortgaged, or, with the permission of the Minister, the land may be subdivided, transferred, or sublet.

Exceptions.

Agricultural homesteads and free homesteads cannot be mortgaged. Agricultural selections and prickly-pear selections obtained under five years’ residence priority cannot be mortgaged during the first five years.

Agricultural Homesteads.

The price for a homestead is 2s. 6d. per acre, the annual rent 3d. per acre, the terms ten years’ personal residence, and the maximum area 320 acres.

Agricultural Homestead Conditions.

Land must be fenced within five years, or improvements made equal to value of such fence. When five years of residence have been performed and improvements effected, the selector may pay up the remaining rent, so as to make his total payments equal to 2s. 6d. per acre, and obtain deed of grant.

Grazing Farms—Area.

The total area held by one person must not exceed 60,000 acres, but when the area exceeds 20,000 acres the annual rental at the notified rental must not exceed £200.

Grazing Farms—Rental, Term, Conditions, &c.

Rental from nil per acre per annum. Term up to twenty-eight years. The holding must be continuously occupied by the selector or manager or agent. Within three years the land must be fenced. In cases where no rental is charged, the land is more or less infested with prickly pear or noxious weeds.

Grazing Farms—Lease.

As soon as the holding is fenced the lease is issued, which may be mortgaged or transferred, as stated in the case of agricultural farms.

Group Residence.

If it is proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that two or more selections, each of which is at a distance not exceeding five miles from each of the others, are held by members of one family, bonâ fide in their own separate interests, the Commissioner may issue a special license enabling the conditions of personal residence or the conditions of occupation required to be performed by them in respect of their selections to be performed by their residence on one of the selections which is itself held subject to the conditions of personal residence or conditions of occupation.

Grazing Homesteads—

Similar conditions to grazing farms, except that—

• (1) Selector must personally reside on the land for five years.
• (2) Before the expiration of five years from the commencement of the term, or the death of the original lessee, whichever first happens, the land cannot be assigned or transferred, but may be mortgaged with the consent of the Minister.

Unconditional Selections—

Up to 1,280 acres may be obtained under this tenure, at from 13s. 4d. per acre, payable in twenty annual instalments without interest. No other conditions.

Purchase of an Unconditional Selection.

A deed of grant may be obtained at any time on payment of the balance of the purchase price. Two and a-half per cent. per annum is allowed if the amount is paid before due.

Prickly Pear Selection.

Maximum area, 2,560 acres. This applies to land infested with prickly-pear. Term, twenty-five years, with a peppercorn rental for the first period, and an annual rent during the second period equal to the amount of the purchasing price divided by the number of years in the second period.

Conditions.

The land must be absolutely cleared of pear during the first period as notified in the notification opening the land for selection, and kept clear during the second period.

Freehold of Prickly Pear Selections.

The freehold may be obtained at any time after the expiration of two years from the beginning of the second period by the payment of the balance of the purchase money, provided he has obtained a certificate from the Commissioner that the conditions have been fulfilled.

Price of Prickly Pear Selections.

The price varies according to the state of infestation from nil upwards, and in some cases where the land is badly infested a bonus is given. The purchasing price or bonus is stated in the opening notification.

Pastoral Holdings.

Pastoral holdings may be obtained on long leases, with practically no restriction as to area. Terms up to thirty years.

Occupation Licenses.

Large areas may be rented from the Government from year to year under an occupation license. No limitation to area.

Group Settlement.

Under special conditions families from the same community are allowed to settle in groups so as to permit of their retaining their social relations.

Size of Groups.

Groups of from six families to as many as seventy families have already been successfully formed.

Inspection.

It is a good plan for friends to club together to pay the expenses of one of their number to go to Queensland to find land for a “group” to accommodate them all.

Miners’ Homestead Leases.

Under the provisions of “The Miners’ Homestead Leases Act of 1913,” homestead leases can be acquired by application, or by tender or public auction by residents of any mining field throughout the State, in areas not exceeding 640 acres. During the first period of thirty years the annual rental on areas up to 40 acres is 1s. per acre, and 6d. for any additional acreage in excess of this area. This rental does not, of course, apply to homesteads acquired by tender or sale. After the expiration of the thirty years’ lease a nominal rental of 1s. only can be demanded. The minimum annual rental for any homestead is 5s.

Can an Alien select Land in Queensland?

Yes, provided he obtains a certificate to the effect that he can read and write words in such language as the Minister for Lands may direct; also provided that he becomes a naturalised British subject within five years of his selecting the land, failing which he will forfeit all his right, title, and interest in the land selected.

What is an Alien?

Any person who is not a British subject. For instance, Americans, Frenchmen, Swedes, Italians, Russians, &c.

When can an Alien become Naturalised?

After he has been at least two years in the Commonwealth of Australia, he may take the oath of allegiance, become a Britisher, and enjoy all the freedom and privileges appertaining thereto.

Where must Applications for Land be Lodged?

At the local Land Office.

How far from the Railway is the Available Land?

Most of the land is not far from existing lines. The policy of the Government, however, is to build light railway lines (as feeders to the main lines) to tap agricultural districts, and to anticipate settlement.

Light Railway Lines Opening Large Areas.

Some of these short lines which it is proposed to build will open up an immense area of good land.

Crown Lands at Auction.

Crown lands may be acquired in fee-simple by auction purchase in limited areas as town and suburban lots.

Price.

The minimum purchasing price for land bought at auction is 10s. per acre.

Terms of Purchase. Terms up to ten years may be allowed, with interest at 5 per cent. per annum.

What Assistance does the Government Give the Intending Settler?

The Government issues a railway ticket at half the ordinary fare to the intending settler desirous of inspecting Crown land with a view of selecting an area not exceeding 5,120 acres. If the intending settler subsequently takes up a selection, subject to personal residence conditions, not exceeding 5,120 acres in area, the half-fare paid by him is refunded, and his family, self, ordinary household furniture and effects, agricultural implements, seed, one dray, and one set of harness are carried free to the railway station nearest to his selection.

What Other Assistance?

Special reduced rates are granted for the carriage of building material, fencing wire, and two truckloads of live stock. Wire netting is also supplied on twenty years’ terms at 5 per cent. per annum.

Assistance to Obtain Water.

If desired, the State will also sink wells on waterless country, spreading the cost over the total purchase price of the land over the term of lease.

What is the Agricultural Bank?

A Government Bank institution established, primarily, for the purpose of assisting new settlers and also agriculturists and graziers, to whom it makes advances on the security of freeholds, licenses, and leases from the Crown, for the purpose of making improvements on the land or for paying off liabilities, at 5 per cent. per annum, repayable in twenty-five years or at any time at the option of the borrower.

What Security is Required?

The applicant for an advance must give a first mortgage on his holding. The bank advances 12s. in the £1 on the total value of the land and improvements.

When is it Repayable?

For the first five years only simple interest is charged at 5 per cent. per annum. After five years the borrower must begin to redeem his advance at the rate of £4 0s. 3d. half-yearly for each £100 borrowed, inclusive of interest, until the whole has been paid.

Can the Settler Borrow Money to Buy Stock?

Yes. The Agricultural Bank will advance 12s. in the £1 of the total value of the land and improvements for the purpose of purchasing stock, machinery, or implements the selector desires to purchase, or for relieving the liability on the holding. Advances at the rate of 13s. 4d. in the £1 on the value of the land and improvements thereon up to £200 can also be obtained for unspecified purposes.

Can an Alien Obtain an Advance?

Yes, provided he obtains a certificate to the effect that he can read and write words in such language as the Minister for Lands may direct; also provided he becomes a naturalised British subject within five years of his selecting the land.

Workers’ Dwellings Act.

Under the provisions of this Act the Government make advances, on easy terms of repayment, for the purpose of enabling persons of small incomes to erect dwelling-houses as homes for themselves and their families. The applicant must show that his income does not exceed £200 per annum, and that he is not the owner of a dwelling-house in Queensland or elsewhere.

Freeholds Farm.

Plenty of good freehold farms change hands from time to time in Queensland at from £3 to £20 per acre. Settlers not desirous of taking up Government land can easily be suited privately.

What is the Nature of the Soil?

It varies with the locality. All of the Northern and Eastern scrub lands are intensely fertile with vegetable mould. The Darling Downs contains 4,000,000 acres of magnificent black soil, principally decomposed basalt. The soil in the Maranoa district is lighter and more suited to wheat-growing and vines. These descriptions apply pretty generally to the whole of Queensland, particularly the Central Districts.

Who are the most Successful Farmers?

Those who carry on mixed farming, such as dairying, agriculture, sheep, pig and poultry raising, horticulture and bee-farming, &c.

Do many of the Farmers Keep Sheep?

Yes; many of them now go in for lamb-raising on lucerne. There are also a number of selectors who have sheep on areas of from 640 to 4,000 acres.

Is Dairying Increasing in Queensland?

Yes, every day; and nearly all the dairy farmers are independent men.

How much Milk was Obtained in 1913?

90,545,516 gallons. Quantity utilised for making butter, 73,582,041 gallons; for cheese, 5,268,447 gallons; for condensed milk, 2,131,382 gallons; sold for domestic purposes, 4,178,758 gallons; and 5,384,888 gallons used on farms.

How did these Dairymen Begin?

Most of them began in a very small way, buying a cow now and again as they could afford it.

Were they all Small Farmers?

Yes, for the most part. The larger farmers have also taken up dairying in addition to wheat, maize, barley, lucerne, and oat growing.

What was the Butter Production in Queensland in 1913?

35,199,387 lb., valued at £1,613,305.

Cheese, 1913?

5,395,050 lb., valued at £141,400.

Condensed Milk made in 1913?