CAB129-37 — Page 277

Page 277

Page 277

Page 277.

At March 3Page do fhad been completed, and the thiageway &velf towards completion. A failway siding has been commenced to connect these sheds to the main line.

The Main Roads Commission has partly completed by contract an all-weather access road from Capella to Peak Downs, as the first section of a main road extending easterly to Cotherstone.

During the period between seeding and harvesting the Corporation's staff was engaged on fencing, clearing and general farm improvement work.

The construction of a cattle dip is well in hand and several new bores are being sunk by contract.

At the Moura piggery clearing of site has been undertaken and material is on the ground ready for an early commencement of the piggery. The Irrigation Commission is undertaking the clearing and grading of the area to be irrigated.

A contract is being let for the construction of a grain store at Bajool to serve the dual purpose of a holding store for grain for piggeries and for a shuttle rail service either to Port Alma or Gladstone for grain export as required. Plans are now being formulated for storage and other facilities required on properties to be cropped during 1949-50.

Plant, equipment and supplies generally

The full complement of tractors, combines and harrows necessary to deal with somewhat more than 30,000 acres was all on hand by, December 31, 1948. At the close of the financial year all headers ordered were in Brisbane ready for despatch to Peak Downs.

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Six jeeps were procured in England by the Overseas Food Corporation and have proved invaluable during all phases of operations. They have been particularly useful for intra-farm operations during wet weather. Several utilities and heavy trucks and a number of flat-top trailers were procured for general farm work while a small power grader and a drawn grader were secured for erosion control and road works. A seed grader was purchased for treating seed grain, while two bag-stacking machines and other items of plant and equipment too numerous to specify individually have been sent to the property.

The Corporation was fortunate in securing a number of buildings from an ex-R.A.A.F. station in the Charters Towers area. With the co-operation of the Main Roads Commission the buildings were all dismantled and transported to Peak Downs and elsewhere, where they have proved invaluable in the implementa- tion of the building programme.

Timber, cement, roofing materials, piping, all of which are in short supply, have been obtained from various sources in reasonable quantities having regard to the heavy demand.

A heavy future programme of building work is faced on other properties and it probably will be necessary to import building materials from overseas. Already a large order for aluminium roofing has been lodged on the Corporation's behalf by the Overseas Food Corporation.

Ample supplies of camp equipment for use as temporary accommodation have been placed in stock.

A large quantity of new and second-hand bags has been placed in store at Peak Downs and the thanks of the Corporation are due to the State Wheat Board for its help in arranging supplies.

Orders for agricultural machinery for the 1949-50 season have been lodged, the aim being 100,000 acres under crop. Whether this target will be realised depend on the success achieved in obtaining plant. The Overseas Food Cor- poration is offering needed assistance in the supply of reconditioned tractors from England.