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Around the Coasts of Australia and Fiji.
Cane Cutters, Mackay. The great sugar-growing district of Macakay lies 540 miles north of Brisbane, on the south bank of the Pioneer River, a stream which iinds its head waters amongst splendid lands in the coast range. Flat Top and Round Top Islands' lie off the mouth of the river. At the first-mentioned is a lighthouse with a white and red fixed light, visible for 17 miles. Ocean-going boats anchor here while passengers are taken to town by motor launch. The district was discovered in 18G0 by the late Captain Mackay, for many years Harbour Master, etc., Brisbane, and its wonderful soil attracted early attention. Enormous progress has been made in the fifty years since its discovery. There are some 52,000 acres under cultivation, chiefly sugar, of Which some 50,000 tons are manufactured per annum, while all tropical fruits and cereals do exceedingly well. Further west and north are grazing lands of the highest class, there being in this district some 90.000 head of cattle and some 30,000 horses. The town is well laid out, the wide streets being planted with beautiful shade trees, and lined with hotels and first-class business premises, amongst which are Messrs. Marsh A Webster's new brick premises, a most handsome structure. Mackay has a population of over 6,500, and is in the van of public progress of all kinds. A municipal council govern the affairs of the municipality and a shire council that of the district. Good roads predominate, and splendid motor car drives can be had through the sugar fields and into stretches of jungle where all the beauties of tropical life may be seen. The town and district have excellent churches and schools, and clubs and societies are well represented. The main coastal railway line is being pushed on north and south of this port, and a journey along this, and also out through the plantations by the Cattle Creek and Eton lines and branches, will bring scenes of the utmost interest to the traveller. The business concerns of the town are most progressive. Such firms as Marsh & Webster, Ltd., General Merchants, and W. H. Paxton & Co., General Merchants and Shipping Agents, are well known throughout Australia and Great
Britain. An excellent brewery is adjacent to the town, and commands st extensive trade. Th" hotel acci uodation is excellent, and ?t bv !he
Falls on the Pioneer River. buggies of the Imperial and Wills' Hotels, and every comfort is to hand for the well being of a visitor. Arrangements can be made to visit any part of the district, which possesses numerous places of great
Coast Scenes between Mackay and Bowen.
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