AS BEFORE remarked, the whole of the Bega district and, in fact the greater part of the electoral district of Eden, was formerly a large squatting station, the joint property of the brothers Imlay – George, Alexander and Peter.

About the year 1823 they first settled in the district, and pastured both cattle and sheep on the run.

A sad accident terminated the life of one of the brothers, Dr George Imlay.

It appears he went out shooting on the run on December 26, 1846, and took with him some lunch and his favourite dog. 

While in the ranges, his gun must have accidentally exploded, for he was found shot dead.

His younger brother, Dr Alexander Imlay, formerly of the Army medical staff, only survived him a few months. Mr Peter Imlay is, therefore, then only brother now living, and he is at present in New Zealand.

A few years after the death of the brothers, the station passed into the hands of Mr Walker, who completed so many improvements that the homesteads resembled that of a large English landholder.

 Messrs Manning, Tooth and Mort succeeded Mr Walker in possession; though when the Free Selection Act came into operation, a number of persons, mostly from the Illawarra district, came and settled down on this land.

This is merely a brief outline of the history of the opening up of one of the finest districts in the colony for fattening and dairying purposes.

Kameruka is a splendid property, owned by RL Tooth Esq. It is about two hours ride from Bega, and consists altogether of about 22,000 acres of land, principally undulating country, well watered by the Bemboka River and several smaller streams.

Kameruka, though formerly carrying considerable numbers of sheep, is now a cattle station. There are about 6000 head now, but there had been 10,000 head of cattle on it at one time.

A large number are sent off frequently to the Hobart Town market, by vessels that take them on board at Twofold Bay, 13 miles distant.