Friday July 5: 1929
Was going to get up and go for a swim but as it as so nice in bed I did not. After breakfast had a morning with the children. The three eldest boys and a little black boy and myself went for walk along the creek. Things of interest were pointed out to me by the boys, such as, where a bullock had fallen into the water, where the wild bulls had been fighting the night before, where a dingo had been around the camp. Reggies, the black boy, was especially interesting in reading the signs on the ground as to what had been along, which way it had gone etc. Visited a blacks’ camp and was met first of all by numerous dogs, all mongrels. Several pigs , great and small shared the wretched hut, inhabited by a black and his gin. Their hut is a 3-sided low structure, made mostly of boughs, with a roof. The old gin was sitting outside in front of the small fire. George the black was in a good humour and I got from him a couple of boomerangs and a spear. Another black, Charlie, a little firther on had his camp, one the same, but he was sick and was going in for sun? treatment. He was lying on the ground with a blanket over him. There are quite a number of blacks on Riversleigh and are all home today as the mustering camp is in. They will be gone tomorrow though except for a couple to do the work about the place. The gins help with the housework but Mrs Foster does the cooking. Since being here I have seen a native ‘bear’ and a native ‘bare’. The blacks here are rather a fine type, both men and gins being tall and well built. After leaving the blacks we came back along the creek and before reaching home the boys went in for a swim. While in swimming they saw a crockodile further down and so they did not go too near it. The crocks here though are harmless, although down near the sea no swimming is done. After the boys came out we sat for a while and had ‘Sunday School’. An ideal spot for a quiet talk too. Took a snap while there and hope it come out alright. After dinner loaded up again and set out for Lawn Hill station 37 miles away. Miss Morson, the governess, wanting some teeth extracted, is coming to Burketown with me for that purpose. Came back to ‘The Springs’ and left some meat with Walker and went on. Pulled up at a Chinaman’s garden, Sam Ah Bow, 12 miles from ‘Springs’ and he told us he had 53 picaninnies. I asked no further questions. He has a decent garden although not much fruit now, but I got a kerosene tin of bananas from him for 5 shillings. I ate quite a number while I was there too but he did not charge me for those. Arrived at Lawn Hill homestead in time for tea. I am getting quite used now to arriving at strange places and expecting their hospitality. Noone thinks anything about it out here, you just go along and stay with folk as if you knew them all your life. The station folk very seldom ask you will you stay. They take it for granted and simply tell you to bring in your bag and show you to your room. So it was here. Mr and Mrs Grayden welcomed us and we were shown to our separate rooms. I do not know whether they thought at first it was Mr and Mrs. Lawn Hill home is situated on the top of a hill, commanding a wonderful view of the valley and surrounding country. They have a very nice home too, with a nice lawn and garden. Out in these parts there is no water shortage as there are sufficient creeks and rivers continually running to keep all around the homestead well supplied. After tea, in the cool, we all sat out on the lawn and talked until bed time. The weather at present is rather warm, more so than it has been of late, but delightful for all that.
Saturday July 6: 1929
Left after breakfast for Burketown and arrived here at 3 pm. Had a good run through, although the road was rather rough in places. Had no trouble though apart from a few bolts having nuts shaken off. Pulled up the crossing of the Gregory River and boiled the billy and had a bit of lunch and then on again. Burketown like Camooweal gives one the idea that it is very sorry for itself. The one redeeming feature is that it is on a good river, the Gregory. It boasts of an hotel, store, post office, bank, shire hall and 5 or 6 houses, also a school with about 2 children attending. As I know the people of the Postmaster, who live in Cloncurry, I found him and the result was I dumped my swag in the back room and made it my temporary abode and went to the hotel for my tea. After tea went to the hall for a while where a chap from the bank was being farewelled. They had quite a happy time among the 30 or 40 that were there indulging mostly in old time dances.
Sunday July 7: 1929
Miss Shadford up here has been holding Sunday School with the half a dozen children , so this morning I relieved her of her duties and had a talk to them for a while. In the afternoon I went around to the different homes, met the people and intended to arrange a service in the evening. A cricket match being played today, about 50 miles out at a station, having taken all the young men and women pit of town, I have put off the service until tomorrow night. After tea this evening went for a little tour of the surrounding district.
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