Place: Station Records - Natal Downs Station, via Charters Towers, 4820
Summary
Natal Downs on the Cape River south-west of Charters Towers was originally taken up in 1861 by the partnership of Kellet and Spry. It was an expansive run and initially ran sheep, but soon converted to beef cattle. It has been associated with several prominent pastoral identities, such as William Chatfield, Patrick Salmon and Edward Hill, and for a time was the venue for a celebrated picnic race meeting. Natal Downs is now considerably reduced from its original extent, and is held by Mr Peter Camm. Station records date from the 1880s and include manager's diaries 1947-1961, cash books, horse books and rainfall charts. A Natal Downs worker's ledger, 1937-1944 was kindly donated by Mr Camm to the Delamothe Collection of North Queensland History, James Cook University.