lo Aug., 1908.] A Farm in the Making. ' 49^ 



channel b) floods would- call for constant work, the expense of which 

 could not nearly be covered by such returns as are at present in sight 

 from that source. 



Among the larger areas bordering on the swampy country is one of 

 600 acres that was held on Government grant by the Geelong Racing 

 Club and which was fairly well improved for its purpose. A short 

 branch Ime ran from the main Western District railway to accommodate 

 passengers and other traffic on race days. As this site of late years had 

 not been altogether satisfactory from a gate-money stand-point, an offer 

 from the Government of an exchange under certain conditions was 

 accepted ; and the Racing Club's improvements were mo^•ed to the new 

 grounds close to Geelong. Prior to this an Act of Parliament was passed 

 by virtue of which the Government took over three other areas which were 

 known as the Geelong, South Barwon, and Connewarre commons, containing 

 respectively 500, 370, and 960 acres. Only a portion of these, in addition 

 to the old race-course paddock, was liable to be flooded, and that only 

 after heavy rains ; and on these commons grazers were taken by the 

 Borough and Shire Councils, at 4|d. 3d., and fd. per cow per week. 

 Another area of 1,750 acres of principally swampy land, known as Reedy 

 Lake, and which had been let at a yearly rental of ^^14 8s. per annum, 

 was also resumed, as well as a further 5,400 odd acres of adjoining 

 swamp which was partly in the Bellarine and partly in the South Barwon 

 shires and from which practically no return was being obtained. 



These several areas representing a total of over 9,500 acres were 

 handed over by the Government in December, 1905, to the Geelong Harbor 

 I'rust as an endowment, with the power to make further purchases, to sell, 

 or to alter them and the waterway through them at any time as deemed 

 advisable. Since then the Trust has purchased two other blocks of 104 

 and 242 acres that were almost within their boundaries. The Geelong 

 common which formerly brought in about ;^ioo per year in agistment fees 

 is now subdivided into blocks of from 60 to 200 acres each, and let for 

 agricultural purposes at an. average of 20s. per acre yearly, on leases 

 of from 3 to 9I years. Improvements are erected by the Trust as 

 required, the tenants paying the interest on their cost. The South Barwon 

 common is now bringing in about 20s. per acre per year for agistment 

 fees. Later on it is intended to subdivide this into smaller areas, and 

 provide facilities for its systematic irrigation from the river. This should 

 prove a profitable work, as small properties adjacent to it are let for 

 market gardening at from ^7 to ^10 per acre per year, and those renting 

 them have also to pay for the water used through the meter. 



The Reedy Lake was sometime since put up by tender, and let at ;i^i32 

 per annum ; but the lease was shortly afterwards broken, and it was 

 re-let for ;;^75o for six months. The old race-course property and part 

 of the adjoining land is now being drained and otherwise improved with 

 the object of making it into an extensive dairy farm ; and the work of 

 reclaiming the rest of the property will next be proceeded with. This 

 race-course property has now been named the Sparrovale Farm in honour 

 of Mr. E. R. Sparrow the popular stock .salesman, who has successfully 

 filled the office of secretary to the Geelong Racing Club for many years 

 past. 



A Large Agricultural Undertaking. 

 Public opinion is usually sceptical of the ultimate success of large 

 agricultural undertakings. Some large projects have been carried out 

 successfully, others have been failures ; but the same can be said of smaller 



