Land

Farmers settled in the district in the 1860's. Because of the gold rushes, the government offered assisted passage in return for two years’ engagement in rural occupations and blocks of land, on the condition they were settled and developed to a certain standard in a given time. Land was gazetted for water reserves in 1869.

Map to the left shows the main roads of Cabarlah including Costello Rd and Reuchle's road. The full stop is about the position of the current Farmer's Arms Pub.

The proclamation of the sale of land from the extension of the Toowoomba Agricultural Reserve (Geham Parish) was made in the Government Gazette on 29 Sept 1863. The price was one pound per acre. There were 171 lots from 40 acres to 105 acres. Another Act in 1866 appeared to put the original selectors at a disadvantage as "when the selectors under the new Act were permitted to take up the same lands with none of these restrictions and with power to purchase by a series of deferred payments".  The Act of 1866 had produced a revolution in the land laws of the colony, and it had been said that the change was equivalent to a reduction in the price of land as the payments were spread over some 8 or 9 years. The old selector who had been the pioneer of agriculture in the colony had been saddled with heavy expenses and hampered with with the sternest of compulsory clauses in reference to fencing and cultivation. The Leasing Bill now in operation contained none of these conditions. A selector may take up his 2500 acres of land after paying his 2s. 6d, per acre he could so whatever he liked with it" (Twmba Chronicle 20 Feb 1867 p2)

In January 1866 an article in the Brisbane Courier advertised 60 lots of land in the Toowoomba Agricultural Reserve (Geham Parish) to be sold at the same price "and if not sold, will be open to selection". On the 8th October 1868 John Baker was given a selection of 80 acres.

24 Sept 1868 (The Queenslander 29 Aug p 10)

Land was gazetted for water reserves in 1869 (por 289, 303, and 69) situated on Reedy Creek and lie about one mile north-west of Mr Sondergald's farm (15 May 1869). 

Early newspaper reports talk about Bishop's (to the north west of the dot; por 307 was on this paddock), 

Sondergeld's (to the south where the current Army Base is) and Highfield's Paddocks (unsure, perhaps even further south). 

At times there were notices in the paper of lists of selectors who were applying for a certificate of fulfillment of Conditions. For example the one below  24 August 1878 and example of a certificate (not local) is next to it.

There was a large subdivision in the 1880's after the opening of the Railway (Railway Station estate), but not sure many of these sold. One portion was owned by a local to the district Archibald Bearkley. Portions 311-314 were offered for sale ("Rich Scrub land with permanent water immediately opposite the Cabarlah Railway station"

Farming at Highfields (27 Feb 1875) From the DD Gazette, partially transcribed. Note in bold the section for Cabarlah:

Taking the road from Toowoomba to Highfields, … from the Pinch to the Albert Mills, one is disappointed with the appearance of the surrounding …..tions, and grieved almost at the… ….by selectors in the work of … and cultivation. Very few …. Have been…in the paddocks skirting the road, notwithstanding the evidence ….and there of the….ability of the …to agricultural and horticultural purposes. Many of the enclosed land appear to have suffered from neglect and to have fallen from that state of usefulness for which they were once provided to a condition boarding on unfruitfulness. The once open paddocks that were a… for their grazing capabilities, have, in many cases, degraded to the condition of scrub lands. Indeed in many cases it would be difficult for you to move through the thickets of fern amid underwood, and impossible almost for any beast to digest food sufficient for its maintenance. The model farm started by Mr E. W. Peachy some ten years since is a wreck — neglected ruin, fields that in times past yielded abundant crops of corn and hay, now rent in idle fruitlessness, and are barren because they have been neglected. Huge clearings, executed at great cost to the proprietor, are falling back to their original condition, and the labour of years, and the paradise of the past, are destined to terminate in desolation and waste. In charming contrast to the picture just presented, stands the beautiful little homestead of S. R. Davis, Esq. The house is situated a short distance only from the property previously described, but from its appearance one would imagine that it had been transported from the most lovely of villages in England, ‘just to let the people know’ how far the comforts of … depend on the taste, the will, and the judgement of the good man of the house. A garden brimming with flowers, a cosy cottage set in over green orchards, through which the windows peep out on the quiet highway, a well-kept orchard and convenient outbuilding, constitute the principal charms of this pretty establishment but taking, together with its surroundings, its stored of plants and shrubs, we think it is entitled to rank as one of the … and prettiest homesteads in the district. This is the village school. Lessons therefore have been taught by the worthy master and mistress in diverse ways, to the children in the school and the house, to the parents in the garden and its surrounding.

Leaving the schoolhouse, we passed the farms of Mirrs Shultz and Starks upon which we observed evidence of progressive cultivation, and arrived at the residence of Mr De Guchy, In addition to his farm, Mr De Gruchy is preparing to open a general store, and, from his experience, and well known identity we have no doubt of the success of the venture. The road in this neighborhood, although studded with properties, has never been improved iaclwil up with cultivated selection-, ............,might it appears. A grateful relief to this monotony of the road is iiii-i.ili.. in farms of  Misters J Cossart and J. Kahler the latter having a 'ruaij good under cultivation. Mr Smiley also is engaged heartily in agricultural entities.… portion to enjoy the fruits of his industry, also with his neighbour Mr Sondergeld who has from fifteen to twenty acres under cultivation. At this point, and in the centre of a cluster of homesteads stands the smithy, the wheelwrights shop, the post office, are conducted by Mr Kahler - an old resident of the district and one who has endeavored manfully to promote the interests of the settlement and cultivation. The post office, hotel, and store are the property of Mr A Bearkley, and we shall not be charged with flattery when we stake that the business in each department is conducted with satisfaction to the surrounding residents. On our last visit to Highfields the business of the hotel and store were conducted in a bark humpy; today, however, it is transacted in a large and substantial weatherboard building, with *** and serviceable out-buildings. The hotel is well kept, the room clean and airy, the table bountifully supplied, and the bar admirably furnished. Altogether, it is a most desirable and valuable property. On his farm, Mr Bearkley has about fifteen acres under cultivation, while arrangements are in progress for the clearing of adjoining selections. The great drawback to cultivation in this district is the extensive character of the clearing, *** an acre having been reclaimed at the cost of less than £6 per acre, while in many cases the expenses have ranged from that amount to up to £10 per acre.

Dropping down to Reedy Creek we noticed several paddocks of fine healthy corn, notably that of Mrrs Brennan and McGuire, which are a picture of excellence, Mssrs. Cronin, M-.njil-y, and Keating appear also to have been very successful in their business; and Mr Purtell  (illegible paragraph)

(Photo of Argyle Homestead from the Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba City Library)

[further north - Geham] The schoolhouse No 2 and the Argyle Mills. The schoolhouse is a neat and compact building ', and is will *** The saw mill is ......., and is admirably ...........(Mcssi-r Munro have no difficulty in ......... purchasers for their......... Although recently established, and working in daytime only,  Messurs Munro are enabled to turn out about seventy thousand feet per month, but, in spite of this supply, they find themselves frequently unable to keep pace with their orders. Under a conviction that timber cut by night— when only an uncertain and fitful light can be obtained— cannot be accurately cut, they have determined to avoid night work, and thereby to maintain the character of their establishment. Following the road recently formed by the Government road party, we skirted the 'old mill' selections and others in their vicinity. Thu soil here is light and the timber heavy until the selection owned by Mr Brady is arrived at. The soil and character of the country changes in this locality from unprofitable bush land to good grazing and agricultural....