Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1961 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 244 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER, 1961 cannot be agreed that at the time of the closure of the line the combined value of the two sets of yards was approximately £200. Similar yards at Kalbar, built at the Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, same time and including gates, races, etc., Murrumba) took the chair at 11 a.m. were recently valued by the Valuer-General on the basis that they might be disposed of QUESTIONS and allowed to remain on the present location. Even under such conditions his SALE OF RAILWAY TRUCKING YARDS value of the yards complete was only £50." !VIr. IUULLEH. (Fassifern) asked the Minister for Transport- SALE OF TOBACCO LEAF, CLARE, MILLAROO "(1) Is it a fact that the railway trucking AND DALBEG AREAS yards situated at the Mount Edwards Rail­ way Station on the now closed Mount Mr. COBURN (Burdekin) asked the Edwards Line have been sold privately for Minister for Agriculture and Forestry- removal at the ridiculously low price of "(!) What was the tonnage of tobacco £2 10s.?" leaf offered for sale and the tonnage sold "(2) Is it a fact that a similar set of from the Clare, Millaroo and Dalbeg areas yards situated at Aratula on the same for each of the years since tobacco was line has been sold for the sum of £2?" first produced in these areas?" "(3) Is he aware that the total combined "(2) What were the total gross receipts value of the two sets of yards is approxi­ from the leaf sold from these areas for mately £200?" each of the years aforementioned?" . "(4) Will he take the necessary action Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied- m future to prevent further reckless "(! and 2) It is regretted that complete disposal of unwanted Railway property?" details are not available to supply all of Hon. G. Yr. W. CHALK (Lockyer) the information sought by the Honourable replied- Member particularly in regard to the quan­ tity of tobacco leaf offered for sale from "(1 to 4) I deny that there has been any various areas. Prior to 1957-1958 figures reckle"s disposal of unwanted railway of sales of leaf from the Clare, Millaroo property as stated by the Honourable and Dalbeg areas were grouped with other Member for . ~assifern. With his many North Queensland coastal areas such as years of pohtical expenence, I am sur­ Ayr, Ingham and Woodstock whose leaf is pnsed that he has allowed himself either sold on the same floor and listed in the to be recklessly misled by his informant, same catalogues. However, I have had or to become so much out of touch with prepared a statement showing tonnages, certain happenings in his own electorate. etc., in respect of the three centres referred The circumstances in relation to the to for the periods 1957-1958 to 1960-1961. matters raised by his questions are as Information has also been prepared show­ follows:-\Vhen the Mount Edwards ing total figures for the North Queensland Branch line was closed an inspection was coastal districts for the periods 1949-1950 made by the Department for reclaimable to 1960-1961. The statement I have materials. A report on the condition of referred to is of considerable length, and the cattle and sheep yards at Mount with the permission of the House I will Edwards and Aratula indicated that it lay it on the table." would not be economical to spend money dismantling them as most posts were Whereupon the hon. gentleman laid the rotted in the ground and most of the statement on the table. rails of the yards which were spiked to the posts were badly split and weathered. There were, however, six gates and one CONVICTION AND PARDON OF ANTHONY swing race attached to the yards at Mount FRANCIS CAVANAGH Ed\\ ards and six gates, a swing race and Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East), for Mr. a portable race attached to the yards at BENNETT (South Brisbane), asked the Aratula, which were considered to have Minister for Justice- value, and all these items were removed by the Department. All that then remained "(!) Has the Cavanagh Pardon Case as was uncerviceable material, the removal yet been thoroughly investigated? of which would have involved the Depart­ "(2) Has the matter been referred to the ment in considerable expense. To have Crown Law Office for the purpose of allowed it to remain there would have finding some charge to levy against led to the accumulation of rubbish the investigating police officers? creation of a fire risk, or possibly lo~s by "(3) Has the Crown Law Office been theft. The Department, therefore, readily told to find some charge at all costs? accepted offers of £2 1 Os and £2 for the mnvanted material at Mount Edwards "(4) Has it been suggested that they and Aratula respectively, subject to the should endeavour to find evidence of a purchaser undertaking prompt removal. It charge for conspiracy? Questions [7 SEPTEMBER] Questions 245 "(5) Is it correct that legal officers in the advantage of the fast goods service to Crown Law Office are giving opinions, North Queensland in preference to other differing one ~rom the other, concerning Northern services, and are endeavouring to these prosecutiOns?" arrange their deliveries to Roma Street so as to take the fullest advantage of such Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong) replied­ fast service. Certain business houses are "(1) Yes." to be commended for the part they are ''(2) The matter has been referred to playing in a revival of business back to the Crown Law Office for the purpose of the railways, and Tuesday's happening is considering whether on the evidence any regretted by the Railway management. charges are open." However, very definite steps are being taken by the Commissioner in an endeavour "(3) No." to avoid a recurrence of the excessive "(4) No." queueing of vehicles, although it must <d~o, I am sure, be appreciated, that such is "(5) The question of any further action not without some difficulty because of th:.; has not been fully considered." location, the size and the layout of th:.; Roma Street yards." APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE PATROL LAUNCHES FOR FISHERIES BRANCH Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ Leader of the Opposition) asked the Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ Premier- Leader ot the Opposition) asked the Treasurer and Minister for Housing- "(1) Why was the appointment of a special committee to study land valuations "In view of his statement published in the 'Telegraph' of February 13 last that an~ounced from Surfers Paradise by a P_nvate Member of Parliament, particularly the patrol launches being used by the smce the Minister had been nominated as Fisheries Branch were too heavy and too Chairman of the Committee, as reported slow and his inspection in Sydney of m 'The Courier-Mail' of September 1 when prospective substitute launches of shallow that function normally belonas t~ the draught and high speed, have any such Minister for Local Government? launches been ordered and what progress has been made towards a more effective "(2) Who was responsible for determin­ service by fisheries inspectors?" ing the personnel of the said committee?" Hon. T A. HILEY (Chatsworth) replied- H_m~. G. F. R. NICKUN (Landsborough) repltea- "Pending finalisation of the estimates for the current financial year no orders for ''(1 and 2)_ No special committee to study launches have been placed. However, the land \·aluatwns has been appointed by intention is to have fisheries inspectors in the Government. Valuations, together with Moreton Bay equipped, this financial year other local problems, are, in accordance with a 30-foot launch and a 21-foot cabin with Government practice, always con­ cruiser, both with designed emphasis on sidered by the Local Government speed and shallow draught. I hope to be in Parliamentary Committee. The personnel a position to call local tenders for these of the Local Gove~nment Parliamentary craft at an early date. It is also proposed to Committee are appomted by the Govern­ appoint two additional fisheries inspectors ment Party Members." this year, one at Southport and the other at Tewantin. It is also proposed to pro­ DELAY !N LOADING GOODS AT ROMA STREET gressively equip fisheries car patrols RAILWAY STATION throughout the State with small but fast runabout hulls with outboard motors and Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ trailers." Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister for Transport- "Is there any substance in the charge COST OF ROADS, NORTH-WEST QUEENSLAND that a shortage of railway employees is Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East), for Mr. delaying the loading of goods on to North LLOYD (Kedron), asked the Minister for bound trains at Roma Street by up to six Development, Mines, Main Roads and and a-half hours? If so, will he take the requisite action to remove the causes for Electricity- complaint?" "What is the estimated cost of the proposed construction of the roads (a) Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer) Normanton-Julia Creek, (b) Mount Isa­ replied- Boulia and (c) Georgetown-Mount "Some unloading delays did occur at the Surprise?" Roma Street yards on Tuesday last. These were unfortunately due to illness of check­ Hon. E. EVANS (Mirani) replied- ers, plus the fact that a number of con­ "(a) £1 ,300,000; (b) £967,000; signors have shown their keenness to take (c) £997,000; total, £3,264,000." 246 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions EDUCATION OF CHILDREN IN NECESSITOUS "(3) Is he aware that William Phillip CIRCUMSTANCES Walsh, a man with a criminal record, was involved in a £403,000 sale of molybdenite Mr.