Part 28
AGRICULTURE.
-----------------------+----------------------------------------------------
CALENDAR YEAR.
+-------+--------+------------+-----------+----------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1896.
1908.
-----------------------+-------+--------+------------+-----------+----------
Total Area Cropped
Acres
3,838
62,491
187,381
322,678
535,900
Wheat, Area for Grain
Acres
196
3,661
11,389
34,670
80,898
" Result of Crop
Bushels
...
78,734
195,727
601,254
1,202,799
Maize, Area for Grain
Acres
1,526
21,143
61,064
115,715
127,655
" Result of Crop
Bushels
...
...
1,312,939
3,065,333
2,767,600
English Potatoes, area
Acres
333
2,837
3,775
7,672
6,227
" Result of Crop
Tons
...
...
6,834
18,451
11,550
Sugar-cane, Area Cut
Acres
...
5,018
29,930
66,640
92,219
" Result of Crop,
Cane Tons
...
...
...
...
1,433,315
" Result of Crop,
Sugar Made Tons
...
6,266
33,361
100,774
151,098 -----------------------+-------+--------+------------+-----------+----------
MINING.
-------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
CALENDAR YEAR.
+--------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1896.
1908.
-------------------+--------+---------+-----------+-----------+---------- Gold raised in
Queensland Oz.
2,738
124,163
250,127
502,146
465,085
11,631
537,365
1,062,471
2,132,979
1,975,554
Silver raised in
Queensland
35,327
32,162
117,889
Copper raised in
Queensland Tons
1
2,448
1,653
580
14,698
50
196,000
30,872
21,042
882,901
Tin raised in
Queensland Tons
1,407
3,383
1,554
4,826
109,816
130,460
49,018
342,191
Coal raised in
Queensland Tons
12,327
27,727
120,727
371,390
696,332
9,244
16,120
60,025
154,987
244,922
All other in
Queensland
6,469
30,440
281,030
Total
20,925
849,301
1,325,624
2,420,628
3,844,487 -------------------+--------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------
SECONDARY PRODUCTION.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALENDAR YEAR.
-----------------+-------+---------+-----------+------------+------------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1906.
1908.
-----------------+-------+---------+-----------+------------+------------ FACTORIES No.
13
593
955
1,332
1,481 Hands
Employed No.
19,733
29,510 Plant and
Machinery
6,145,548
4,484,340 Output
6,482,824
11,242,437 Leather Lb.
427,168
2,221,856
3,324,832
(c)152,611 b.u.t.ter Lb.
6,164,240
23,838,357 Cheese Lb.
1,921,404
3,199,510 Bacon and
Hams Lb.
5,108,726
11,324,323 Meat,
Cured Lb.
4,283,024
69,442,447
50,418,522 Timber, Sawn
Super. Ft.
22,309,900
100,759,016 -----------------+-------+---------+-----------+------------+------------ [Footnote c: Now collected on sides.]
IMPORTS.
---------------------+-----------------------------------------------------
CALENDAR YEAR.
+---------+----------+----------+-----------+---------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1896.
1908.
---------------------+---------+----------+----------+-----------+--------- Apparel, including
Boots and Shoes
32,701
113,371
318,910
232,077
552,071 Linen, Drapery, and
Haberdashery
154,454
293,155
742,357
806,638
1,233,776 Wine, Beer, and
Spirits
66,909
177,601
394,764
247,259
325,484 Tobacco, Cigar, &c.
17,727
30,659
78,093
74,501
204,131 Wheat, Flour,
Biscuits, &c.
95,318
208,447
383,504
555,460
483,794 Other Grain and
Products thereof
4,867
42,991
197,929
118,968
202,549 Potatoes and Onions
3,410
15,789
77,897
104,233
147,584 Green Fruit, Jams,
and Jellies
3,487
27,755
118,309
73,184
175,967 Hardware, Machinery,
Metals, and Metal
Goods
63,622
217,659
1,019,374
766,217
1,661,999 Stationery, Books,
Paper, &c.
16,482
26,528
148,682
135,127
220,746 Kerosene and other
Oils
3,916
32,580
69,202
94,048
156,460
Total all imports
742,023
2,218,717
6,381,976
5,433,271
9,471,166 ---------------------+---------+----------+----------+-----------+---------
EXPORTS--HOME PRODUCTION.
----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------
CALENDAR YEAR.
+-----------+----------+----------+----------+----------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1896.
1908.
----------------------+-----------+----------+----------+----------+---------- Wool--Clean Lb.
}5,007,167{
12,622,067
9,030,701
24,479,769
23,459,014 Greasy Lb.
} {
5,171,245
26,495,276
64,012,465
66,802,873
Clean
} 444,188{
952,450
682,774
1,130,170
1,670,664 Greasy
} {
217,362
1,206,730
1,846,814
2,459,190 Total Value
444,188
1,169,812
1,889,504
2,976,984
4,129,854 Tallow--Quant.i.ty Tons
640
2,890
2,623
18,554
7,292 Value
25,628
100,201
76,019
337,967
197,229 Gold--Value
14,565
660,396
923,010
2,089,166
1,941,229 Copper--Value
50
257,723
3,014
32,401
831,699 Tin--Value
...
108,310
228,457
46,779
290,389 Live Stock (Horses,
Cattle, Sheep)
510
366,003
572,010
859,367
1,699,381 Meat (all kinds,
including extract)
5,356
67,579
70,833
898,545
850,772 Sugar--Quant.i.ty Cwt.
...
23,959
368,626
1,507,503
2,645,333 Value
...
36,833
454,759
863,080
1,482,320 Hides and Skins
14,030
93,218
109,291
449,265
421,987 Pearlsh.e.l.l
...
...
94,021
94,865
49,898 +-----------+----------+----------+----------+---------- Total all Exports
523,477
2,998,934
4,673,864
9,163,726
14,194,977 ----------------------+-----------+----------+----------+----------+----------
[Ill.u.s.tration: FALLS NEAR KILLARNEY]
[Ill.u.s.tration: ABORIGINAL TREE CLIMBERS]
INTERCOMMUNICATION.
-----------------+---------------------------------------------------------
CALENDAR YEAR.
+--------+-----------+-----------+------------+-----------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1896.
1908.
-----------------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------+----------- RAILWAYS--
Miles Open
...
218
1,207
2,430
3,498 Pa.s.sengers No.
...
40,539
1,025,552
2,462,020
6,538,411 Cost of
Construction
...
2,345,385
8,631,835
17,248,678
23,102,158 Net Revenue
...
18,213
273,096
424,862
806,797
SHIPPING--
Inward Vessels
No.
210
522
1,042
649
881 Tonnage
45,736
148,630
572,124
562,759
1,601,107
Outward Vessels
No.
183
507
1,061
645
847 Tonnage
39,503
143,380
579,988
531,289
1,563,911 -----------------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------+-----------
CHARITABLE INSt.i.tUTIONS, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
--------------------------+---------------------------------------------
CALENDAR YEAR.
+-------+--------+--------+---------+---------
1860.
1872.
1884.
1896.
1908.
--------------------------+-------+--------+--------+---------+---------
CHARITABLE INSt.i.tUTIONS--
Number
6
21
46
77
107 Persons Relieved
397
2,796
11,614
19,917
28,310
EDUCATION--
Number of Schools
41
210
528
957
1,104 Scholars on Rolls
1,890
23,728
60,701
103,733
105,436 Average Attendance
...
...
...
...
67,309
PUBLIC LIBRARIES--
Number of Subscribers
538
1,711
5,185
6,904
12,770 Volumes in Libraries
4,945
20,890
60,257
129,883
249,257 --------------------------+-------+--------+--------+---------+---------
APPENDIX H.
DIGEST OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEER'S REPORTS.
OUR ARTESIAN WATER SYSTEM.
The water supply problem is of importance so momentous, and the official information collected by the Hydraulic Engineer being scattered through reports covering about twenty-five years--from 1883 until 1908--it is thought desirable to present the main official facts in a convenient digest for the general reader.
SUB-ARTESIAN WATER IN 1884.
Up to 1883, when the McIlwraith Government created the Hydraulic Engineer's Department by appointing Mr. J. B. Henderson to organise it, little had been done by the State for the improvement of the water supply of the country except in cities and towns. At that time no artesian water was known to exist in Queensland, but there was a popular belief that there were great underground supplies, especially in Western Queensland. Many station-owners had been active, and the diamond drill had been brought into use, but deep drilling had not then been undertaken. In October, 1884, the Hydraulic Engineer reported that he had just visited Widgeegoara Station, where the owners, Messrs. E. and J. Bignell, partly by sinking shafts and partly by boring, had obtained an underground pumped supply aggregating 94,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. This resulted from sinking four 5 ft. 2 ft. shafts an average depth of 102 ft. each, and thence boring and tubing below the bottom of each shaft to the average depth of 161 ft. Of the total quant.i.ty 20,000 gallons a day was obtained from the Four-mile well, a shaft sunk to a depth of 150 ft.
below the natural surface. Besides this there was a homestead well 33 ft. deep. a.n.a.lyses of the water showed that, in the opinion of the Government a.n.a.lyst, only in one bore was it useful for watering sheep, it being brackish; but according to the station reports the supply from the Four-mile well and Nos. 1 and 2 shaft-bores was good stock water. Mr. Henderson warmly commended the Messrs. Bignell's enterprise.
IMPROVED BORING MACHINERY.
During the same month the late Hon. George King, of Gowrie, brought under the notice of the department a report by Mr. Darley, C.E., to the Government of New South Wales respecting certain American well-boring machinery by the use of which in Mr. King's opinion three-fourths of the cost of 6,000 incurred by his firm in sinking shafts in the Warrego district might have been saved. Besides which much greater depths could be reached, a machine costing 600 in America being capable of boring 2,000 ft. The matter being referred to the Hydraulic Engineer, that officer made inquiries which induced him heartily to endorse Mr. King's suggestion that the Government should secure from America a machine with two men experienced in working it and capable of themselves making any ordinary repairs. Mr. Henderson also recommended that a staff should be trained by the Americans after arrival, and expressed the opinion that this course would save both money and time, and prove a large gain to the colony. But he reminded the Minister that until there had been an abundant rainfall extensive operations in bore-sinking in the West could not be carried on, though he advised the introduction of a sufficient number of machines and enough tubing in order that during the next season, if rain fell, work should be vigorously commenced.
On 4th September, 1885, the Hydraulic Engineer replied in unequivocal terms to a minute of his Minister requesting him to comply with the wish expressed that he should purchase a Victorian diamond drill, then under offer, for coal-prospecting purposes. Mr. Henderson strongly recommended that no drill be purchased unless capable of boring holes at least from 5 in. to 2 in. in diameter. He also pointed out that where drifts and loose gravels were met with, and tubed, a deep bore must be commenced of large diameter to ensure success. Although the proposed drills were not ostensibly to be used for water-finding, it is evident that the Hydraulic Engineer, in reporting upon them, had that kind of work in view.
GOVERNMENT URGED TO IMPORT PLANT AND MEN.
On 2nd December following the Hydraulic Engineer addressed the Minister touching water-boring operations, and pointed out that, while there would be no difficulty in importing the machinery and appliances requisite for deep bores, he was convinced that men must be introduced from America to start and teach others here to work them. He recommended that an efficient plant should be ordered capable of boring up to 12 in. in diameter to a depth of 2,500 ft., for (say) 1,000, delivery at the works, and four good drillers under a two years' engagement brought out to work them at 21s. to 23s. per day, apparently of twelve hours; board, lodging, and travelling expenses to be defrayed by the Government.
OBSTACLES FROM DROUGHT.
On 20th February, 1886, the Hydraulic Engineer wrote that, understanding from conversations with the Minister that "the policy of the Government is to carry on water conservation works and boring for underground water with increased energy, he recommends the purchase of three Wright and Edwards' boring machines, capable of reaching a depth of 1,000 ft., for delivery within four months from the date of order."
Three days later Mr. Henderson wrote:--"Unfortunately it can be said with much truth that, ever since the department's existence, the seasons have been unfavourable in the extreme for carrying out its plans." After mentioning the specific difficulties encountered, he added:--"I do not share in the idea that the late rains broke up the drought, as I cannot disguise from myself the fact that they have not been general, or even yet of sufficient quant.i.ty."
FIRST BORING STARTED AT BLACKALL.
Although the Hydraulic Engineer, so long before as December, 1884, had recommended the Minister to import American boring machinery with men trained to work it, it was not until 19th October, 1886, nearly two years later, that he was able to announce that his advice had been so far followed that Mr. Arnold, an American borer from Honolulu, had gone to Blackall with a Pennsylvania Walking Beam Oil Rig boring machine which had been constructed in Brisbane. It seems that so long previously as July, 1885, two tenders for boring by Americans--one being from Mr. Arnold--were submitted by the Hydraulic Engineer to the Minister, with the intimation that they were both too vague for acceptance, and expressing the hope that Mr. Arnold, "who seemed a man of considerable experience, would submit a more liberal and definite offer." The same report mentions that on the 30th June previously the Blackall bore had been carried to a depth of 775 ft., and that at 127 ft. good water had been struck that rose to a height of 60 ft. below the surface, but was deemed insufficient for the requirements of the town. Up to that time nine bores had been completed, chiefly by the ineffective Tiffin auger, but not one had reached artesian water, the deepest being that at Blackall, and the average depth 371 ft.
ARTESIAN WATER STRUCK AT THURULGOONA.
In his report of 12th November, 1887, the Hydraulic Engineer states that it is essential that only the best quality of tubing, or "casing," should be used in bores. In April he had visited, by direction of the Treasurer, Thurulgoona Station, on the New South Wales border, and there carefully inspected boring operations. He found that one bore had, by means of the Canadian Pole Tool boring machine, been sunk to 1,079 ft., a supply of excellent water having been struck at a depth of 1,009 ft., "the water overflowing in my presence to a height of about 20 in. above the surface of the ground."
This was apparently the first artesian water Mr. Henderson had seen in Queensland, though he had years previously seen the artesian well at Sale, in Victoria; and he naturally p.r.o.nounced the opinion that the result at Thurulgoona was "very satisfactory." During this year boring had been carried on in Queensland without success so far as the formation of flowing wells was concerned. Mr. Arnold, having sunk to 1,039 ft. at Blackall, resigned, but it was decided to continue sinking, all the tubing being recovered with the exception of a few feet, and being capable of use several times over if need be. During this year also tenders had been received from Mr. Loughead, of Thurulgoona, to put down three bores of 2,500 ft. in Queensland, and Mr. Henderson reported that there was every prospect of a tender being received from a company recently formed in Brisbane at a slightly lower price than Mr. Loughead had named.
