"CAUCUS BLESSINGS."

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1920, Page 9 (Supplement)

"CAUCUS BLESSINGS."

A WANGANUI MAN'S IMPRESSION OF QUEENSLAND.

A well-known resident of the district, at, present in Queensland, writes as follows:

"During my sojourn in Queensland I have covered some thousands of miles and'associated with all sorts and conditions. As a result, lam confident that in New Zealand we have much to congratulate ourselves on, politically and socially. Kor example, there is not a town in Queensland with a drainage system. The old and objectionable pan system is still in use everywhere. This, with 1 1 o'clock closing, lax supervision, ahul disregard for finer feelings, an omnipresent and raucus racing fraternity, and frequency of races, together conspire to render, the traveller's lot in Queensland at least unenviable. Even Brisbane, one is told, willtnot for many years have a drainage system. The railways! Well, they are indescribable, and to the writer provided many Interesting if disagreeable experiences. Just one of many.—Arriving at Cloncurry station to leave at 6, delayed of course till 0.30 to suit stokers or somebody's convenience'; booked to arrive at Hughenden at !) or 10 p.m.; instead reached there at 3 next morning after being kept out on the cold plains all night. The recognised way under Caucus rule for the stall' to get even with society is by asserting equality and filling their:, pockets with a fat overtime, and this is accepted by everybody as a matter of course and usage. In the Gulf country cattle dulling seems to be the recognised ''aid to beginners." Close to Cloncurry while the writer was there on a run, 2i> cows were shot, and their calves (clean skins) were duffed. On another run lid to 70 ftittle were shot and their brands and. earmarks removed to destroy evidence. There wero about 150 cattle in the police paddoek, watched night and day to guard against removal or the destruction of evidence. These cattle represented nearly as many cases of dulling. It has been found impossible to get j conviction by a jury in such eases in Queensland, so they are dealt with by the magistrate under a Handing Act. Two young fellows were each fined ";;)0, while the writer was there, On ■ special detections camp horses arc .i ines shot or stolen. This informal.ln" .•«« gathered from the Crown l-rn; 0 , ior and others on the spot, XVibody "seems the least concerned. Old l>«n.U '">■ wi s "ge(.t|»g « bit