BUNDABERG

SPRING HILL PLANTATION, Parish of Barolin, Burnett River, is owned by Noakes Brothers, and contains 550 acres of freehold and 640 acres of leasehold land, giving a total area of 1190 acres, of which 500 are under cane. This land was originally selected by the present proprietors about seventeen years ago, and for ten years carried on as a maize field. At the end of this time the firm entered into large speculations in the cultivation of the sugar-cane, and eventually erected a mill and crushing plant, of the value of £4000. This they worked until the present season, sending the juice extracted at their crushings through pipes to the Millaquin Refinery, a distance of five and a-half miles. The crushing last year represented the proceeds of 150 acres, while that of this season represents 300. Messrs Noakes are now completing a sugar-making plant by Walker and Co., of Maryborough, which, when finished, will be one of the best in the district. It will have a daily capacity of eight tons, the machinery including a four-ton vacuum pan, double-crushing plant, and all other modern appliances. These will be driven by seven engines, supplied with steam from four boilers, aggregating about 120 horse-power. The value of this plant will be £10,000. The completed industry will give employment to from twelve to fifteen Europeans and seventy Polynesians. James E. Noakes was born at sea, and George Noakes, his brother, in Tamworth, New South Wales. The former settled in Maryborough about twenty-four years ago, and carried on for many years the business of a storekeeper. In 1871 his brother arrived in Queensland and selected the site of the present plantation, on which he has since resided.