Thursday May 16^th:

Another lazy day. Breakfast in bed and reading and lying down all day. Did some writing in the afternoon. The people with whom I am staying are very nice. A young couple with 2 kiddies, both boys. Mr Moores runs a garage with his brother. He was once in our ministry but resigned. They have a black girl, full blood, working here. It is rather a cheap way of getting help in the house as the girl is only paid 2/6 a week and 2/6 is paid into some fund on her behalf. First morning I was there was awakened at 7 am to receive a cup of tea and looked up to see a black face bending over me. For a moment wondered where I was. Quite a lot up this way have black help in the house, cannot say as yet that I prefer it to white. They are no trouble though there is a danger of them giving notice.

NB: Interesting comment on the times in reference to members of the indigenous community.

Friday May 17^th:

Am getting frightfully lazy and spoilt. Still have a cup of tea at about 7 am and breakfast at 8.30 am, all in bed and today did not arise until 11 am. Am feeling ‘goodo’ and practically noting now to remind me that I have had an operation. This afternoon hopped in the bus and went to the hospital to renew acquaintances and collect some mail that was lying there for me. Rev Menear has ben using bus and on the way back from hospital bus ran out of petrol and stopped on centre of railway track. Pushed it off and fortunately there was a tin of petrol in the back. Houses here all have detached kitchens and everything seems to point to the summers being rather hot. No house here is weather boarded, only lined on the inside and the studs are left exposed on the outside. Wide verandahs right around counteract any disadvantage this might be. Last night before tea G. Moore came home in a new Ford truck and wanted me to see and feel its good points so we went for a run in it. It certainly is well sprung and rides very well over bumps. We went as far as the aerodrome and had a look at the three planes garaged there. One plane does the trip to Camooweal, one to Normanton and one to Brisbane. They are the same type of plane as used by the chap who found Anderson and Hitchcock. Cloncurry is rather a desolate looking place. Red, stony ground is its main feature and it has a great many vacant blocks. Quite a number rendered vacant through fires. A few decent shops but again more pubs than anything else. All sport here is held on Sundays. Nothing seems to be doing on Saturday afternoons except a bit of tennis.

Saturday May 18^th:

Still lazing about all day but not a bad sort of a life especially on these warm days Have a great time in the mornings lying in bed, sleeping and reading and watching the goats wandering about the streets eating anything they can pick up. This is the land of goats (not speaking figuratively). All mutton here is goat and the milk one buys is either condensed milk mixed with water or goats’ milk. Noone keeps cows as there is no feed and it costs too much to buy fodder for them. This afternoon Mr & Mrs Moores an family and self went out for a run in a Willeys Knight, 24 miles out through a couple of stations. A good spin as the roads that way are rather decent. All flat country and not much feed except near the Cloncurry River. Passed a couple of herds of bullocks browsing in the shade of a few trees. 24 miles out came across 4 dhaps whose Ford had broken down and they were starting to walk in so we picked them up and brought them back with us. Had one thrill going out, taking a curve at 40 in some lose gravel and the bus went as near as turning over as I ever want one to go, while I am in it at any rate. However alls well that ends well and we arrived home safely. After tea had a read and went to bed.

Monday April 29^th: 1929

A very monotonous day.

Rather warm and nothing to see but the same rolling plains, occasionally a few trees, now and then some sheep or horses and every hour or two pulling up at a siding. Always a fair crowd at the sidings but no sign anywhere of where they came from. The train journey was frightfully slow , for what reason I know not, as there was no grade at all. Eventually at 9 pm arrived Cloncurry. Rather a difference in size to the other stations along the line and quite a crowd present to see the Great Mail roar in to the termination of its long journey. Rev Menear being out of town, noone knew of my arrival, so again was left to myself. Left most of luggage at the station and took a car to Parsonage where admitted into the presence of Mr and Mrs Moores and family who are living here. Rather tired and not feeling too good so soon retired.

Tuesday April 30^th:

Woke up feeling very much out of sorts. Tried to walk it off in the morning and by poking around Moore’s garage but unsuccessful. Had a lie down and no dinner and later went on and saw Dr. Examined me and confirmed my suspicions that I was suffering from appendicitis. Had a talk with DR and decided on operation right away. Came back here in car, got a few thinhs together and went up to the hospital and was admitted as a suffering patient. From 4.30 pm on April 30^th until 4.30 pm 0n May 14^th was a patient in the Cloncurry District Hospital being operated on for appendicitis and recovering from same. The butcher was a relieving Dr by the name of Goode and he did a Goode job. The hospital itself in its structure and appliances is not by any means perfect but the attention received from Dr and nurses left nothing to be desired. Felt a bit off colour the first couple of days but after that was alright. Had one setback while in hospital, through contracting something like scarlet fever but that passed off in two or three days. At first was in one of the wards with half a dozen others but when the fever cane on was put out on the verandah by myself which I liked much better. Rev Menear and Mr and Mrs Moores were very good to me and hardly an evening passed but that they were up to see me. The diet for practically the whole of the fortnight was water, hence I did not put on any condition. Some very rough chaps in the ward where I was and at times the language would make a bullocky blush. It was very nice though to be waited on by nice nurses, washed etc by them and I nearly lost my heart but going out when I did saved me. Received quite a lot of letters and telegrams from Victoria and Tasmania which were much appreciated and helped to make the sojourn in hospital less wearisome. Was not too keen on leaving hospital when the time came as I knew all there, and practically nobody down here, but as Dr Goode was leaving I thought I would leave also. Rev Menear called for me and brought me down here to Moores where I am to be convalescent until the end of the month. Was very shaky on my legs when I first got out of bed but soon got my balance.

Wednesday May 15^th:

Am taking things quietly for a while. Had breakfast in bed and a lie down all the morning. In the afternoon went down to the P.O with Menear and sent some telegrams and then called around at a Mrs Hensley’s. Her married daughter with her husband both from South Africa were there and we had quite a decent talk. Mrs Hensley is rather a lively old dame and during general conversation I found myself congratulating myself I did not die in the Cloncurry hospital as they spoke of men dying there and being forgotten until the nasal organs of the staff brought back their remembrance, also of coffins with sliding bottoms which was also rather gruesome. After tea we went and called on people by the name of Young, where also was the Rev Scott of the A.I.M and after talking and supper came home to bed.

Friday April 26^th: 1929

5 am am awakened and told that we are nearing Townsville, where we arrive at 5.30 am. An unearthly hour to arrive in a strange place. Cloaked most of my luggage and then went and had a shower and a shave. This is possible at the station and this is one of the things for which the Qld railways are to be commended. One needs a shower though after travelling in their trains. Had breakfast also at the station and then strolled up the street. Looked about until I find the G.P.O and rang up the Rev Hall who directed me to come to the Parsonage. He is the 2^nd minister in Townsville and is out at West End. Came out on the bus and missed the place and had to walk back. It was and still is warm and I arrived here fairly fed up with everything but am getting over it. Will not be sorry though when this train traveling and wandering about among strangers is finished. Rev Hall and his wife seem nice enough and have two little boys who at present are at school. This leaves me then at West End Townsville at 11 am.

From when I left off at at 11.30 until lunch time was spent in writing and also most of the afternoon. Rev Bacon from Charters Towers and Chairman of the Northern Queensland District arrived just after lunch. A bright energetic chap and always on the move and made things appear considerably brighter by his presence. He has travelled practically all over Queensland. I went into Townsville with him and then I went and saw the Shell people about petrol for out west and one or two other things and back to Hall’s for tea. After doing some writing went in again to the station and posted a letter on the 9 pm Brisbane train. Back to Hall’s and to bed.

Saturday April 27^th:

Another early rise, 4.30 am, no good at all but had to catch the train for Charters Towers at 5.30 am. Rode Mr Hall’s bike into the train and left it there for him to collect. An awfully slow uninteresting journey to the Towers. Mixed train. Arrived there at 11.30 am. Met by Rev Simons probationer and a circuit steward and brought round to Mrs Siemens. Nice family. Two young chaps and girl. Have a wholesale fruit vegetable shop etc. Nice home for these parts. Before dinner Simons and I went down and had a look at the Central Church where tomorrow I have been booked for 2 services. Did not expect this either and so have no sermon notes in MSS, so faith morrow. Went also and had a look at the smaller church in York St. Both nice churches but too big now for the present population . Charters Towers in the mining days boasted a population of 34000, now only 9000. No mining now done at all. Now it is an educational centre, 4 colleges, a big boarding school, a state high, comprising over 1000 students in all. The Methodists and Presbyterians have joint control of two, called Thornburgh for the boys and Blackheath for the girls. Thornburgh has 120 boarders and Blackheath 92. After dinner in company with Rev Simons I had the pleasure of being shown over both of these and they are splendid colleges. Wonderfully equipped and all conveniences and have only been in existence 9 years this June. Students come here from all over Queensland. Both colleges were once big private homes. After looking over them and talking to the matron and head master, on arriving back home was ready for tea, which soon appeared on the scene. Since tea have been engaged in writing and preparation for tomorrow.

Sunday April 28^th:

Had a rather full day and not altogether a very pleasant one as have contracted a cold and sore throat and was rather a drawback in trying to speak. Took the services in the Central Church in Charters Towers morning and night. Had a gathering of about 150 in the morning with at least 120 of them from the Thornburgh college. Rather a decent spectacle to see the centre of the Church so filled.

In the evening there was the usual congregation of about 100. Very poor for the size of the town. The choir rendered 2 anthems at night and a young lady gave a solo. In the afternoon after having had a bit of a lie down Mrs Siemens took me for a run in the car to have a look at the town and what it boasts of. Colleges belonging to other denominations and an old folks home in course of erection, knitting mills without wool to work on, owing to the drought, a cemetery etc. It was a nice run and gave me a genuine idea of the size etc of the town. A great place for pubs here. I counted about 15 in two blocks, must be a thirsty population. After service at night had a yarn and supper at Siemens and then was taken to the station where at 10.30 pm I boarded the Great Western Mail which on arrival at Cloncurry will end just on 3000 miles of train journey. Turned into my bunk as soon as the train left and remained there until 8 am Monday morning.

Monday April 29^th:

In the footsteps of my father.

This story will trace the travels of my father between 1928 and 1935 as gleaned from his hand written diaries. Unfortunately these diaries only came into the family's hands after my father's death in 1979. Since 1996 I have been fortunate to also visit parts of the same north Queensland country and it has been an exciting experience to share these travels and accompany my father in spirit , through the reading of his diaries.

Howard Henry Kettle was born in 1901 in Buchan, Victoria , where his father was the local policeman.

In 1928 Howard Kettle began a momentous journey to North Queensland as a patrol padre with the Methodist Inland Mission. This is his story.

Wednesday April 17^th 1929: 5pm.

Left Melbourne on the Sydney Express after a very warm and somewhat sad family send-off, Was very brave myself although was really not as brave as outward appearances indicated. Had a full compartment, a smoker, one lady in it, but she did not smoke while traveling to Albury. A chap sitting on the other side of me though made up for it, as he smoked continuously a vile cheap brand of cigar. Altogether though had a good trip to Albury, where we trans-shipped into the sleeper and after having some supper on the station, retired. The war memorial in Albury as viewed from the station with its illumination was an impressive sight.

Thursday April 18^th

^{Shared a sleeper with a Mr Lily from Sydney a very decent chap and had some decent talks with him. Got up at 8 o’clock and had the breakfast at I forget the name of the place. Arrived in Sydney well on time, eleven o’clock, and was met by Auntie Gert and Mercy. Would not have known Mercy had she been on her own. Cloaked all my luggage except small bag, and then did Sydney with Auntie Gert. We went up to the S.A.H.Q and met with the remainder of the Howard family that are in Sydney. Winsome and Olwin. Had a talk for a while, then had a shave and back to the station and booked my ticket or rather a sleeper through to Brisbane. After we had had dinner at the Sunshine Tea Rooms. Eva and the two nips arrived on the scene and then all of us went for a run on one of the ferries down to Manly. A nice trip and the harbour very nice but beauty equally as nice can be found in Tasmania. Sydney itself reminded me of a big rabbit warren or a maze with its narrow streets and all running in different directions. The number of girls and women smoking in the streets was very noticeable. After tea went into Sydney again with Auntie Gert, to a prayer meeting of the Methodist Men’s Federation. A very good meeting. Had to get up and say a word, after being introduced to the gathering and it was very brief. Spent the remainder of the evening at home.}

Friday April 19^th:

Olwin brought breakfast in to me in bed which was very nice, after which I arose and dressed. After writing a couple of letters, said goodbye to the family and went across to Campsie and found Keith Oliver from Tasmania and had a yarn to him. Went into Sydney then, had lunch and went for walk around the streets with Olwin. Winsome came to the train and saw me off toBrisbane at 3.30 pm. It was a very nice trip while daylight lasted and the scenery along the Hawksbury river especially good. Turned in rather early and read for a while and then slept.

Saturday April 20^th:

Arriving at the border all had then to transfer to a Queensland train and the railway service here compared with down south is rotten. The trip throughout the day though was not bad. The country through which we passed as regards scenery was fair and in places good especially coming down from the hills after leaving Toowoomba and here the likeness to Tasmania was much in evidence. Several of the passengers on the train, including myself, got into conversation and although we were unknown to each other it made the journey much more pleasant. Just after crossing the border the grade was very steep, so much so that the engine refused to function and we had to wait until another train following caught up to us and gave us a push until we safely negotiated the climb. Apart from that the trip was uneventful. On arriving at Brisbane was met by the Rev Mills, secretary of Conference who passed me over into the hands of the Rev Frederick who took me by car to his home. Most of the family were out at a wedding at which The Rev F was officiating. They returned though not long after I got there and then I got some tea. The Rev and Mrs were off almost immediately to the breakfast but a Miss Clewes who works there looked after me. The Rev Frederick has connected with his home the H.M Training College similar to ‘Otira’ Kew. There are only about five students attending but it is yet in its infancy. The boys seem rather a decent lot. Miss Frederick, sister of the Rev, a returned missionary from India is also staying here. There are three children at home. The youngest a boy is about 16 I should say and is going to the University, a girl is next to him who teaches school I think and another boy who works at the bank. It was here that I received my first introduction to Queensland mosquitoes. Before retiring Miss Frederick (daughter) played the gramophone for a while and I listened then turned in.

Sunday April 21^st:

Brisbane has given me a very moist reception as it has rained steadily all day and heavily too.

Rev F wanted me to take both his services today at the Valley Mission Church in Brisbane but I got out of that and ended up in the morning taking the first part of the service and in the evening taking the sermon and latter part. There were only about 24 out at morning service and about 70 tonight but the weather I suppose had a good deal to do with that. Rev F was taking a S.S Anniversary in the afternoon at Kingsholme so I went down and strange to say they used the same hymn suheet as we had at our S.S Anniversary at St Mary’s. The children sang very well too. Being ANZAC Sunday I gave a talk on those lines at the evening service tonight and took as the subject “The cost of life.” They have a choir at this church and gave an anthem at tonights service. After church on returning home we had supper and then retired.

Monday April 22^nd:

Rain appears to have completely disappeared and the day is bright and warm. Went in the morning to the office of Rev Mills and arranged then to stay in Brisbane until Wednesday then go on to Townsville put a day in there and go to Charters Towers on Saturday and on Sunday night pick up the Cloncurry train there. After dinner bought my tickets and fixed up the luggage and then went out to Wynnum to Krummels. Travelled by bus and Ettie met me out there. After having a talk at home and some afternoon tea Mr Krummel had to go out and see some folk on business so I went with him. It was out a bit from Wynnum so we went in the jinker, rather slow, but had a look at the country. After we had had tea we looked at snaps, mine and theirs, until supper time when retired. I did not intend staying the night but they invited me and as there was no reason why I should not, I did. Used for the first time the mosquito netting suspended from the head of the bed. I was amused at first at the height the houses are built off the ground, 6 feet up and more, and underneath the folks garage their cars, rather a good idea. Plenty of steps to go up and down though. In Brisbane the folk do not seem tp be in a great hurry at all and like Sydney you can walk angleways or anyway across the streets. Max Hodgson and his bride spending their honeymoon in Qld and at present are out at Wynnum, but are to return south on Thursday. Lucky pair.

Wednesday April 24^th:

Caught the 9 am train from Wynnum this morning and back into Brisbane. Called at Mills’ office and after a talk and a walk up the street went to Fredericks. Packed up, had lunch and Rev F brought me in to the train by car. Had only time to bundle into the train and she was off. The first time since leaving Melbourne that someone to see me off and am going completely among strangers. Up until now there has been somebody I have known at each place but that is done with. Queensland railways are now seen at their worst in my judgement. For 1^st class traveling they are very poor and everything is so dusty and dirty. No decent place to hang my clothes either. A big crowd on this train too, a cosmopolitan lot. All shapes, sizes and conditions, and most of them appear to be going north after work. Cane-cutters and to the meat works I suppose. The weather is getting warmer up this way and all surplus clothing is discarded. The country, although for the most part uninteresting, is looking well, everything is green with a great growth. ……… homes are mostly to be seen along the line. The bunks on this train run the same way as the train, and in my opinion are not as comfortable as those that go across. Still I slept alright.

Thursday April 25^th:

And still we journey farther north. A most uninteresting day. Rather warm and all one can do is to eat, sleep and read. Nothing of any consequence happening. At many stops we get out to stretch our legs and if it is meal time, we eat, until at 8 pm we turn in again.