1904

Thomas Abell took up land in the area that became Airlie Beach to grow vegetables and tropical fruit. His family also had timber leases on some of theWhitsunday islands. 

Atherton's first annual show held and the Lower Burdekin Pastoral, Agricultural and Industrial Association held its first show at the Ayr showground.

Small dairy factory opens in Ayr.

Dangerous fire at the Brilliant mine in Charters Towers.

By the end of the year a complete railway was running to Finch Hatton.

Railway from Charters Towers reached Richmond. 

December

20 Farleigh mill was purchased by a company formed by Frederic Buss, John Cran, Thomas Penny and W.H. Williams and called the Farleigh Estate Sugar Company Ltd.  Buss and Cran were involved in the milling business in Bundaberg and Maryborough respectively.  Cran realised the old plantation system was not going to be able to supply the mill so the company commenced to subdivide and lease farmland to farmers in preparation to crush in 1905.


© Ian Hughes 2013