SCIE HENCE AND INDUSTI RY. 
Poisoning ieee pee 
‘An Interesting Report. 
By J. B. HENDERSON, F.LC., and PROFESSOR B. D. STEELE. 
At the invitation of the management of the Cactus Estates Limited, 
Mr. J. B. Henderson (Chairman of the Queensland State Com- 
mittee), and Professor B. D. Steele, a member of the same body, were 
asked by the Executive Committee to visit some of the stations where 
the company was operating, and forward a report. This was done, 
and the report is here appended :— 
Mr. Henderson interviewed the manager, Mr. J. G. Gregory, at the office of 
the Cactus Estates Limited, Creek-street, Brisbane. Mr. Gregory stated that- 
the company had abandoned the attempt to clear the 100,000 acres at Dulacca, 
and no clearing was now being done there, as the cost would be about £7 per 
acre, and the land was not worth it. 
He stated that a contract had just been completed for clearing 12,660 acres of 
lightly infested country at Noondoo Station, about 120 miles beyond Goondi- 
windi. The pear had been poisoned and burned off. A copy of a letter from the 
manager of the Noondoo Station with reference to the work was submitted by Mr. 
aregory, and is enclosed herewith.* 
Mr. Gregory also stated that a contract was just about to be completed for 
clearing 100 acres of thickly infested pear country for £700 at Umbercollie 
Station, near Goondiwindi. It had all been poisoned, and would probably be 
burned off in about a fortnight. He submitted a copy of the contract, which is 
enclosed herewith. + 
Visit TO UMBERCOLLIE. 
On Wednesday, 25th June, 1919, we left for Goondiwindi, and on Thursday, 
26th June, went over the work being done at Umbercollie Station. When we 
reached the station, the manager, Mr. Heathcote, accompanied us to the paddock, 
where the Cactus Estates foreman, Mr. Archibald, showed us what had heen 
done. 
Pear at Umbercollie—Mr. Heathcote stated that Umbercollie Station has an 
area of 50,000 acres, surrounded on three sides by dense pear. Of the station 
area, 37,600 acres has been kept free from pear, and we were informed that it 
costs 4d. per acre per annum to keep it clear. There are three paddocks—one of 
1,700 acres, one of 10,000 acres, and one of 700 ncres—covered with more or less 
dense pear. It is a 100-acre portion of the 700 acres paddock which is now being 
cleared for £700. 
Reason for Clearing —Mr. Heathcote also stated that the 100 acres are being 
cleared to give good access to some permanent water-holes. It is not proposed 
to clear the other infested areas on the station, as the cost would be much greater 
than the value of the land. 
State of 100-Acre Paddock—We found the 100 acres block in a much less 
forward state than we expected. .Mr. Archibald stated that there were still about 
30 acres to spray, and that it was not expected that the burning-off would be 
attempted until October next. 
* The report shows that the cost of clearing, allowing for wear and _ tear, is slightly over 74d. 
per acre. \ 
f{ The contract is for 109 acres, and the cost of clearing is £700, or £7 per acre. 
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