IDLE LANDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2113, 10 April 1920, Page 3

IDLE LANDS.

IMMENSE AREA IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

A sped;! 1 committee (>II {ln* West Kimberley country, appointed by (lie Western Australia Premier, reports that there are 17,000,1)00 acres suitable Cor sheep ami cattle north of (he Jbiii parallel, and west'of Cambridge Gu!t‘. The coast-line is 000 miles lone’, and is indented with an immense number of bays .and inlets. The committee recommends the establishment of a port, Suggesting Prince Frederick Harbour. The country should be divided into sections of a million to a quarter of a million acres, whieh could be further subdivided into smaller areas, according to quality. Allotments should he made by Ibe Lands Department in place of (he system of selection before survey. The Government should either provide for adequate sea transport, or withdraw from Ihe trade and come to an agreement with some shipping firm Cur an efficient service on equitable terms. A party of white men accustomed to pioneerin'" should be despatched in April next from Wymlham overland to Prince Frederick Harbour, when they would be met by a sea parly, and decide the most suitable inlet for a harbour. Pastoral rent for the first seven years should he at half the present rales, .or a bonus be given on marketable cattle delivered at the port. Pioneers should have substantial thiancial backing, previous slock experience in similar country, and a 1 borough knowledge of the,natives. Horse diseases and the hostility of: tho natives are among the difficulties to he overcome. The three aboriginal missions on the coast of this unoccupied country, the Presbyterian at Hanover Bay, the Anglican at Forrest River, near Wyndham, and the Catholic, on Dry.sdale River, have altogether only 20 acres under cultivation. Mount Drysdale River Committee states that the missionaries are compelled to live in a compound where no natives are admitted, and mast lie armed when they go oulside. Forrest Mission is an aboriginal reserve of 4,000,000 acres, but 2,000 are sufficient for anv mission station.