INVASION OF WILD DOGS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4435, 3 July 1922, Page 2

INVASION OF WILD DOGS

l-ASTOBAMSTS IN Speaking at a deputation of graziers whose properties are situated west of the Darling River, and who interviewed tihe New South Wales Minister of Lands, Mr. B. H. Williamson said they asked three things: That certain main fences should be built and others repaired, that the necessary netting fbr private fences be made available to graziers by the Government on easy terms, and that a proper Wild Dog Act be introduced. The graziers estimated that the Government Would be required to put aside £50,000 for this work. The cost of. maintaining the Queensland-New South Wales border fence had been £21,550, which had been subscribed by some of the lessees. In addition to that, 256 miles of private fences had been erected at a cost of £21,000, which had also been met by individual Jessees. Mr. Williamson related his experiences with a property. in tihe West Darling country, near White Cliffs. A lot of money had been spent on the property, which was very highly improved. He got through the drought all right, but between the breaking of the drought and shearing time, six weeks later, he lost all his lambs anl 800 of his 6000 ewes through the wild dogs. He had to move across the river, and almost gave the property away. Its present holder declared that if the Government did nothing ihle, too, would have to give up. He was preparing to sell all his sheen immediately. Mr. Williamson added that he was the last of! the graziers in the district to give in to the dogs. There were highly improved stations all about that district, and weed- was wonderfully good at present, yet many of. them did not carry a single head of sheep.