Rosewood History

From the Queensland Times (Ipswich), Tuesday, 26 January 1915, page 6

Through the Rosewood District.
(6) 
(By Our Travelling Representative)

Mount Walker, within a few miles of Gehrkevale, has a very fine tract of agricultural ground. On either side of the Bremer River, which passes through the settlement, cultivation of agricultural produce is extensively resorted to. The soil is admirably adapted for the purpose, but the distance between this centre and the nearest railway station has hitherto made the occupation a drudgery. However, largely in consequence of the persistent efforts of the Bremer Valley Railway League, a railway line has been passed for construction from Lanefield to the head of the Bremer. The building of a line in this district is the supplying of a necessity, for there is little doubt that the areas of cultivation could be and would be greatly increased if a railway station were near at hand. 

The place was looking very dry as I went through, but the grazing paddocks were carrying a grand coat of well-seasoned grass, whilst the benefit of such a bounteous supply of water as is available for stock is beyond question. Dairying and mixed farming are the primary occupations, and quite a number of the settlers have scores of sheep as a side-line. These animals do remarkably well, and all the sheep farmers seem to have the intention of increasing, rather than diminishing, sheep-raising. 

On the north-eastern end of the old Mount Walker settlement, part of the Glenalvon Station property has been subdivided, and has furnished farms for about a dozen settlers, and the improvements effected to these properties since their purchase indicate what a good type of farmers they are. The seasons experienced during the past few years have not been very helpful to the prosperity of settlers opening out on new estates. But the general farmer seems to be possessed of a great supply of hope. 

From the Glenalvon Station homestead, now owned by Mr. Laing and which property is generally looking a picture with its heavy body of grass and splendid fat cattle, there is a continual stream of settlement on either side of the Bremer right on to Rosevale. This township has had a drawback, owing to its being distant from Rosewood about 24 miles, and from Harrisville 14 miles, and the roads to either railway station in wet weather are “a problem.” But, with the prospect of a railway tapping the splendid district, the town ship has grown, and there is a fine general store, hotel, and branch of the Royal Bank, doing business in the centre, whilst a hall has been built for the holding of meetings, socials. &c. 

This part of the Bremer Valley has been very fortunate all through this season, as it was in the rain area, and in consequence was looking a perfect picture. In fact, the impression of a person who had seen the droughty conditions existing in other parts of the district, would be that quite a new country had been met with. The appearance of all growing crops and other vegetation was just as good as it was possible to imagine, and since my trip the rain has been general all over that locality. Dairymen were enjoying record returns, and dealers were very busy in making purchases of cattle, for the supply of grass was abundant. A cheese factory treats a fair quantity of milk daily, but the majority of the farmers separate their milk, and the cream is conveyed to Harrisville by carters, at the expense of the producer. 

Morang is about four miles higher up the river, and is within a few miles of Tarome, which is on the Sandy Creek watershed. Dairying and grazing are the industries engaged in, and the country is admirably adapted for those purposes. 

Mutdapilly was looking the worse for a series of dry spells, and farmers there have been practically unable even to plant for their early maize crop. The district is undoubtedly a good one, in an ordinary season, but that particular portion has been extremely un fortune in regard to rain. Warrill Creek passes the eastern side of the settlement, and the soil on the banks thereof is very productive, lucerne, maize, and potatoes thriving under anything like normal conditions. The township is within easy distance of Harrisville and the roads are really very good ones, so the hauling of produce is undertaken with very little inconvenience. 

Coleyville is a prosperous little centre, where mixed farming is the rule. There are some choice agricultural ground on the farms bought about seven years ago from the Normanby Station, and the settlers do not seem to have their paddocks overstocked, with the result that there is always a good supply of grass available. 

Mount Forbes is the name given to the settlement on the north-eastern end of Mount Walker. The settlers hereabouts are a fine stamp of men, and all have made a great success of their mixed farming occupation. The young folk here have a splendid tennis team, which has had an unbroken record for wins, having won every match played thus far. The distance from Warrill Creek and the Bremer River is rather too considerable to permit of driving stock thereto; but this difficulty is overcome by the construction of dams or the erection of windmills over bores. There is a very fine dam on the property of Mr. H. Geiger, possibly one of the best in the district. 

Through here on to Ebenezer the effect of the dry spell was apparent, yet in the latter place some splendid potatoes were being marketed. Mr. Rankin showed me some of the tubers grown on his farm, and, considering the unfavourable season, they were a striking testimony to the soil’s productiveness. Dairying is the chief industry, most of the agricultural effort being devoted to the raising of winter fodder for stock. The farmers also appear to go in largely for fowls, with satisfactory results.