Tuesday Dec 17th 1929:
Nobody wanting a trip to Burketown so up at 9.15 am and left on my own. A hot day and feeling dopey myself on account of having a heavy cold. Made the old bus go stopping only for a few minutes at the various places along the way. Did not stop for lunch but ate a few sandwiches as I went along. The car takes a lot of water and had to stop often to fill the radiator. Became very sleepy about 2 o’clock and found myself dozing frequently. Did go off once and was brought back to reality as the car bounced in and out of a great hole in the road. After that stopped and slept for a quarter of an hour and went on feeling ‘goodo’. Reached B urketown, 230 miles from Camooweal, at 8.30 pm just about a record trip. Pulled up at the P.O and unloaded. Graciously received by P.M (Post Master) Young and joined later by another young chap. Boiled the billy, had some tea, talked for a while, had a shower, unrolled the swag and turned in.
Wednesday Dec 18th 1929:
Spent the morning in writing, the afternoon in calling on a few of the folk. Had a visit from the bridegroom to be, who desired the wedding postponed until tomorrow. Had a couple of sets of tennis after tea which I enjoyed very much. Spent the evening with several others over at Mrs Shadforth’s . A hot day but a cool sea breeze came up at night which was not hard to take.
Thursdat Dec 19th 1929:
Went over the bus before breakfast and greased and oiled her all over. Did some writinfg and called on some other folk. Went across to the hall and swept it out and got it ready for the wedding ceremony. Went over at 2.25 to wait for the contracting parties. The best man, who was returning from Cloncurry, held up proceedings by being late and in the end a substitute had to be found and the ceremony was gone through. Everybody looked nice, but I do not know what the bride wore, or the bridesmaids (3 in all) either. Had a very light breakfast at the house, where I took the chair and could get noone to speak, so had to do the honors all round myself. The husband was very anxious to get it all over and get out to their home, about 60 miles out, to which they were going direct, and in the end they left about 5 o’clock. I wanted to get straight away myself then but as the P.M, who is going on holidays wanted to come with me, I waited until he handed over to the relieving man and so did not leave until 10.30 pm. Had another chap and a black on as well but dropped them 35 miles out. Had mail for different ones along the road which I left on their front gate posts and endeavoured not to wake anyone. Kept going until 1.30 am and then pulled up, rolled out the swags and went to sleep.
Friday Dec 20th 1929:
Started on the road again at 6 am and in half an hour came to a selector’s home. Here there was a baby to baptise and I though by getting there early to hurry them up and so get going again. They took their time however, and had breakfast first and after 2 hours delay, went through the ceremony and we were able to move off again. Had no more big stops, only at a couple of places to deliver mail, to refill with water and petrol and once to have a bit of a sleep to freshen me up, and at one to have a cup of tea, did we stop at all. It was a hot day too and made one very drowsy at the wheel. Reached Camooweal at 4.45 in the afternoon and went straight to the pub for a good iced drink. Got some mail and then got cleaned up for tea. An Xmas tree and treat for the kiddies at night , given by the C.W.A was a great success. Most of the children were in fancy dress and they looked well. Father Christmas arrived and gave each child a present from the tree. The kiddies had a few dances for themselves and late the grown ups took to the floor for a while, but it was agreed by everone to be a most successful evening.
Saturday Dec 21st 1929:
Getting ready this morning to journey to Mt Isa and at 2.30 in company with Mr Young left Camooweal. Frightfully hot weather, hanging around 112 to 115o. Lack of sleep, the heat and glare made driving very tiring and 30 miles out we had to pull up and have a doze off for a quarter of an hour and felt better afterwards. 30 miles out of Isa the lights failed and so had to finish with only the spot. Not too good, missed the road a couple of times and went over a big stump another. Got here at 9.30 pm. Pulled up at the Church, found G Moores in possession. Went down town and had supper, back again, rolled swag out on the floor and was soon asleep.
Sunday Dec 22nd 1929:
Went across with G.Moores to an eating house for breakfast. Rather a rough place but cheaper than the hotel and food good. Language of men and women very free at all times. Having a parson there has made a bit of difference. Have to sit on boxes but all in the life. Combined unions today gave the kiddies an Xmas treat of a full days sport. Only a few turned up to Sunday School. Did a bit of visiting myself and went to the sports for an hour. Great crowd there. Terribly hot 115o. Had service at night but only a dozen out. Sports too much for tgem. Not keen on being in this place at all.
Monday Dec 23rd 1929:
Tried to straighten things out a bit here and make the place livable which is well nigh impossible. It is like an oven to be in this room at any time. Have my swag rolled out on half a mattress for my bed, with a mosquito net over all to keep out the flies. Can keep nothing clean on account of the dust that is always present and penetrates everything. Water is scarce and has to be carted at 5 shillings a hundred gallons. No hope of a bath or shower. Had a go at the car and tried to find out what was wrong with the lights but unsuccessful. Went around for a while to Sherman’s for tea.
No comments:
Post a Comment