QUEENSLAND CATTLE STATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1929, Page 6

QUEENSLAND CATTLE STATIONS

HUGE AREAS TO BE SOLD.

AUCKLAND, Aug. 8.

Just returned from a trip to Australia, whither he travelled to have a look at some land in Queensland, with a view to starting his sons, is Mr Wilfred Johnstone, tlie well-known trotting enthusiast of Te Awamutu. 'J’he particular object of the trip was to inspect the cattle stations which are being sold by auction by the Queensland Government early next month. There are four or five of these, properties, one of them near Townsville being UiO square miles in extent. This is runnng over 14,000 head of cattle. The conditions of the sale stipulate that the buyer must take over the cattje at about £4 per head. Tlie run is to be given without payment being required for improvements. The annual rental works out at about 30s to £2 per square mile. After making careful inquiries Mr Johns! ne came to the conclusion that from a New Zealand viewpoint the cost of running oue of these areas, which are estimated to carry 18 head of cattle to the square mile would be too heavy’. Mr Johnstone whose string of pacers includes Peter Bingen, Lady DumnurV Enawah and a number of promising ,young horses, intends to live in future at-lte Kuiti. Iricientally, he intends to take Peter Bingen (the mile and a-! quarter record holder) to. Western Aus-' tralia for the big £3OOO race-at Perth to be held next April. He considers that the honours are we’.! within liife. grasp, if the horse, in the judgment/ of the trainer (J. J. Kennerley), shows' justifiable form in the interim.

Mrs Johnstone accompanied her husband on the trip, but their daughtfer stayed behind for a few weeks as the guest of Professor and Mrs Tillyard, formerly of the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, and now a research officer of the Commonwealth at Canberra.