The Argus at KellyGang 19/4/1880 (2)

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These are very large figures. If it had not been for the bad season of 1878-9, when the wheat crops of the district almost entirely failed through rust, there probably would have been no arrears. Many of the selectors were able to stand the loss and go on paying their rents regularly, but the majority, who depended on the harvest of 1879 for the means to square up with storekeepers, banks and the state, and to prepare for the next harvest, were thrown on their beam ends. They had to ask all creditors for 12 months additional time. Fortunately, the next harvest (1879-80) proved a remarkable good one and enabled the majority of the selectors to settle urgent claims but as the above figures show, they are still £76,000 behindhand with their lenient landlord - the state. This amount is made up of the arrears of periods ranting from six months to two and a half years. In some cases no rent has been paid by the selector since January, 1878.

The inquiry on which the present series of articles is based was confined to the western portion of the Benalla district. Out of 55 parishes, 11 were travelled through, and the condition of affairs in these 11 parishes was stated by the Crown lands bailiff (Mr Witt), in whose company and under whose guidance the journey was undertaken, to be fairly representative of the state of the whole district. About 120 miles of road were covered. The route taken was to the north and west of the township of Benalla, and in one place we approached within five miles of Yarrawonga, on the Murray. Selectors were met with in every stage of prosperity or adversity - some up to their necks in trouble, and in dread that every visitor might be a process server; others well off, with plenty of money in hand. But all were hopeful and the poorest seemed assured that if they were only let alone until next harvest, they would be able to "pull through."

The facts and statements given below were collected within the last few days. Here and there an opinion may be found expressed as to the probable results of selection in the Benalla district. Such opinions have been collected amongst persons conversant with the condition and hopes of the selectors, and are not the hasty conclusions of a visitor. Though people in Melbourne know little about the way in which selectors live, there are many in the district who can toll the state of each man a affairs with great accuracy. Careful storekeepers are aware of the precise amount for which each individual they deal with can be trusted, and the Crown lands bailiff appears to have all the troubles of the poor or unfortunate pressed upon his notice. They tell him how much they began with, how many cattle they have lost, what they got out of the first crop, how much they lost by the second, what the third brought in, and how they stand with their creditors. A short account will now be given of the story related by different selectors who were talked with, but care will be taken to withhold   that sort of detail which might enable curious persons to find out the cases described. The selectors one and all spoke out with great frankness. Special circumstances will be dealt with first and a summary of results with the conclusions arrived at by more or leas competent authority, can be supplied hereafter.

For the present, it will be enough to say that the problem whether selection will or will not pay in the Benalla district has not jet been adequately tested. The great bulk of the holdings are in the hands of men still in the probationary stage. For the first three years, according to the act of 1869, the land is occupied under licence. During that period the selector has to fence his holding in and cultivate one tenth. On proving his bona fides (by his works he is judged) and paying up his rent, he can then obtain a lease for seven years, and at the end of that term the Crown grant is issued. The rent is supposed to be paid half yearly in advance. The only condition of the lease is that the rent must be regularly paid; as to residence and works of improvement it is silent. Two sessions ago, however, the Legislature increased the period of probation to six years, and the term of the lease to 14, also reducing the annual payment to 1s instead of 2s an acre. The majority of licensees and lessees now in monetary difficulties appear to be desirous of coming under the act of 1878, for the sake of getting the benefit of the smaller rates of payment.

The first case inquired into was that of a selector living about 15 miles out of Benalla. He was met with on the road. He said that before coming to the district he was a game dealer, and used to make a good living by fetching in wild fowl, rabbits, &c, to the Melbourne poulterers. Having acquired about £250, he moved with his family up to Benalla, and selected 320 acres of land in May, 1876. He knew nothing of farming when he began, and could not plough. However, he was bent on making a beginning and got part of the selection fenced in and cleared. Clearing meant ringing the trees and burning off the dead wood until enough bare ground had been prepared for the plough to operate on. He then turned up 16 acres of soil, and let it lie fallow through the summer of 1876-7. Next year, the 16 acres yielded him his first crop of 40 bags of wheat.

In 1877-8, 45 acres produced 70 bags of wheat - a very fair crop considering that nearly ever other farmer's wheat was destroyed by the rust. During the following winter, 15 acres more were got ready, and at the late harvest, 60 acres of ground yielded 180 bags of wheat, which sold in Benalla at-4s Id, a bushel. Off the holding, in the four years he obtained 290 bags of grain. During the same period, he completed the fencing in of his 320 acres, and paid three years rent under the licence. He now owed two half year's rent under the lease; a third half year's rent would be due in a month's time, and he was in debt to the amount of £100 in the district If he could manage it he would be glad to borrow enough money on his lease to pay off his creditors and the state. He would be equally glad to sell out. With the aid of a loan and some "rolling stock" he would be able to get on "fluking." He had two or three head of cattle. It would not pay to buy anymore at present. He had nine children, and his eldest boy had arrived at the age to be useful for farm work. All he had to show for his original capital of £250 was three miles of log fencing and 70 acres of partially cleared land. After holding a short talk with us, he wanted to know if we could lay him on to some one who would lend him 15s or £1 an acre on his land, and being unable to assist him we had to drive on.

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