Making tracks.

Wednesday Oct 18^th 1933:

Back in town today after being away for 3 weeks. Collected a big budget of mail. House full of dust and dirt so went to hotel for meals. Yesterday I came along as far as Gallipoli, pulling in for awhile at Herbertvale and No 7. Black was at No 7 as well as the pumper. Jack and Bruce were just going out to Bill at Gallipoli so I went out with them. Showed them the pictures at night.

Saturday Oct 21^st 1933:

Have been kept going in one way or another since getting home, in cleaning up and visiting hospital and others and writing and this afternoon G Riley and self put up the aerial and have had the wireless working tonight and very good too. Have been going to the hotel for dinner at night.

Saturday Oct 28^th 1933:

Had a week in town with the usual routine. Had a few of the ocals up some nights to listen to the wireless. Called a cricket meeting for one night but could not get a quoram. Did a few jobs on the car. Sunday Oct 29^th 1933:
Had a nice gathering of children this morning. Very hot day. Went down for a swim late in the afternoon and held a service at night.

Tuesday Oct 31^st 1933:

The end of the month and still in Camooweal but will be going west in a couple of days. Have just been down to Undilla to bring Wandangi folk up, also Peggy who has gone into hospital, a probable appendix case.

Friday Nov 3^rd 1933:

Am now at Avon, having reached here last night and am putting in a quiet day reading, writing and looking up all hands. Was going to hold a service tonight but a bore breaking down took the men away hurriedly so put it off. Const Smythe and wife and Daph arrived this afternoon. A very hot day.

Sunday Nov 5^th 1933

Rankine River.

Arrived here yesterday and stayed down at the Police Station. Broady and Hector are working on the new police station. Only Mr and Mrs Lloyd at the store. Had some tennis yesterday. Going on soon to Alexandria.

Wednesday Nov 8^th 1933:

Brunette.

Arrived here from Alexandria where I stayed Sunday night, and Monday afternoon. Monday morning I went out and gave the men a hand to get Ted Lennox’s car into the station from where he had busted it up on an ant-hill. Tuesday it rained, only light though and today has been threatening but no rain. Had some tennis here.

Friday Nov 10^th 1933:

Mallapunyah Springs.

Got this far this morning, coming around by Anthony’s and Creswell. Terribly rough roads. Spent last night at Walhallow in Cliffords camp. Baptised nine children.

Sunday Nov 12^th 1933:

Alexandria.

Arrived here at lunch time today bringing Mr Johnston with me. Stayed Brunette last night. Going to blacks corroboree tonight for Plamer Brushe.

Wednesday Nov 15^th 1933:

Rockhampton Downs.

Arrived here last night. Met the Easy family on the road. Len here alson Jim and Terry. Weather very hot. Going back to Alroy tonight.

Friday Nov 17^th 1933:

Avon Downs.

Reached here tonight, coming around Soudan. Jack Toohey with me. Yesterday came to Alexandria from Alroy and then across to Brunette and back for the air mail, tho plane had messed up. Having a bit of a storm here tonight.

Sagturday Nov 18^th 1933:

Camooweal.

Got into town this morning and got things cleaned and straightened up this afternoon.

travels and mustering

Wednesday Sept 27^th 1933:

Nearly ready for the road again. Have had a busy couple of days since returning. Went out yesterday afternoon and had tea at Rocklands. Leave tomorrow for Bourketown. Rev Menear and party arrived yesterday and all came up here for lunch. 15 of them, brought and cooked their own however. Menear showed his type by his not having shaved since he left Brisbane about 5 weeks ago. Conducted a service at Alice Springs for Griffiths in such a disgusting appearance.

Saturday Sept 30^th 1933:

Arrived in Bourketown yesterday having had a good run, only one hold up with a puncture. Came to Gregory on Thursday and camped with Millers and Findlays. Brought Curly and Billy Beaumont with me to there and Roma to Thorntonia. Brought in a lot of palms for the wedding from Brookdale. Bill and Jim Edwards came in too. Staying at Hosiers as usual. Mrs Hosier and Gladys are home again. Was busy this morning getting ready for the wedding, decorating the hall etc. At 4 0’clock Alice and Phill became one. A big crowd present and the reception was held on the hall verandah. They finished up with a dance at night.

Tuesday Oct 3^rd 1933:

Have had three very happy days in Bourketown since the big wedding. Sunday saw all except a very few of the visitors leave for their respective houses. Bride and bridegroom and party all went to the Gregory. The town looked very dejected as it saw car after car leaving and I gathered the few available cildren in the afternoon and we met in the hall for S.S and at night held a service at which practically everyone was present. Mrs Stewart was back at the piano again. Jim and I after Church went across and stayed awhile at Stewarts. Yesterday and today I have been around the folk, visiting them all and making my presence felt in one way or another. Mr Kemp has been laid up with flu for these two days. Mrs Dunn came home unexpectedly today. I had a big job yesterday morning on the car putting in a new bolt through the back spring. Mr Hosier, Mr Askin and self have been doing some fishing but landed only one decent fish between us.

Wednesday Oct 4^th 1933:

Got the car ready and loaded up this morning and said farewell to all. Left after lunch bringing with me Bill, Paddy and Jack and we arrived here at the Gregory at sundown. I left my passengers at the hotel and I went across and had tea at the Police Station. Later came over here to the homestead, my house for the next few days. There seems to be a fair crowd of people about, most of them in their own camps. All from here are over at the dance at present.

Sunday Oct 8^th 1933:

The Buffalo ( race ) meeting is over for another year and it was a very quiet one, although enjoyed by all. A fair crowd gathered here coming from over a wide radius but more of a picnic crowd than a racing crowd. Swimming in the river was by far a more popular attraction than the racing. I moved about amongst the folk meeting many I have not seen for a long while. Toothache worried me considerably for one day but has gone now. The auctioning of the hotel was a failure as only 250 pounds was bid and it was the one and only. The only unsettling item of the meeting was that the cook at the hotel got drunk and refused duty and was put on the chain. ? A new cook was quickly forthcoming however. I went across after lunch today to the Police Station and we went up the river for a spin and I remained with them for awhile after tea, they being the only ones active about the place now.

Wednesday Oct 11^th 1933:

Arrived here at Lawn Hills this afternoon and decided I had traveled far enough for one day, coming from Brookdale only 80 miles but part of it was very rough and weather very hot. Mr and Mrs Munro and self have been down for a swim in the creek and it was great. These people are making a big difference to the place here and it is regaining some of its former glory. Mr Flynn is still here and has not altered. Pearl is settling down in the position of cook. After leaving Punjaub this morning where I had a drink of tea with Jack and Fred, I caught up with Clarkes taking loading to Adele’s Grove. I went on ahead to pick the dinner camp and have the kettle boiling but disovered when I pulled up that I had no matches having given them all away so had to wait until the others arrived.

Saturday Oct 14^th 1933:

Am still here at Lawn Hills although have not been at the homestead but out in the stock camp at Mt Oscar. I went out on Thursday with Mr Munro in the car and went out on Friday mustering and shifting cattle and this morning mustering horses. It was a good break and I enjoyed it and broke the monotony a bit for the men. Both going out and coming in we did some fishing withna spinner and landed a couple of good fish about 10 lb( pound) each.

I forgot to write up that I had a Christening at Brookdale on Tuesday afternoon and showed the pictures at night. I left Gregory on Monday afternoon and came to Carringtons where I stayed the night and showed the pictures and then came to Brookdale on Tuesday calling at places en route. Did well too this day as had five smoko’s.

Sunday Oct 15^th 1933:

Came here to Riversleigh today and arrived with a very stiff neck and shoulders, however I contracted same. Got some bananas and paw paws at Frenchy’s. All well here.

Monday Oct 16^th 1933:

Harry and the camp went out this morning don the river mustering. I was laid up most of the day with my bad neck but before tea got the children together for a talk and showed them the pictures.

Wednesday Oct 18^th 1933:

Back in town today after being away for 3 weeks. Collected a big budget of mail. House full of dust and dirt so went to hotel for meals. Yesterday I came along as far as Gallipoli, pulling in for awhile at Herbertvale and No 7. Black was at No 7 as well as the pumper. Jack and Bruce were just going out to Bill at Gallipoli so I went out with them. Showed them the pictures at night.

Family affairs

Sunday Sept 3^rd 1933:

Came across to Alroy this afternoon gringing Len with me. Held service at Rankine this morning with a nice crowd attending, mostly men. Retired early.

Thursday Sept 7^th 1933:

Exciting happenings eventuated here during the last few days. We are now at Rockhampton Downs having arrived here Tuesday just before lunch. George is not home. Tuesday night just as we were about to have tea we saw a car coming from Tennants way and it proved to be Jim Synnott returning. He was full of the big gold find over there and got us all worked up, so much so that we decided to go out and see George and perhaps go over ourselves. Going across to No 3 we met the Rocky lorry returning with Mr Mutton, Pike’s traveler driving and it was learned he had burned his car and all his stock at No 14 and had to walk across to

No 3, 12 miles. He turned around then and came back and we talked over everything with George and then came back here arriving at 2am. At that time we had practically decided to go across to Tennants and peg out a claim or two. In the morning however we were not so keen and finally ended in not going having found many reasons why we should not. Mutton was the only one very keen to go. Len and I went out and shot a couple of turkeys after lunch and I also gave the 2 boys a S.S talk and at night showed them the pictures. Had a swim in the tank too which was very nice.

Saturday Sept 9^th 1933:

Back in Camooweal today, having a good run from Alexandria. Came to Alroy Thursday and stayed the night, where we met the ministerial party who were touring the Territory. Mr Brown the sec of the dept of the interior seemed a decent chap and so also was his sec.

Mr Carrington, the Gov resident from Alice Springs was in charge of the party. Went across to Alexandria yesterday and stayed the night giving them a picture treat. Mr Forrest is out there at present. On the way home today met Senator Payne at Rankine who had come across from Alice with Carrol the Govt Board of Works inspector. Had a yarn with the Senator who informed me he was a good Methodist and also gave me some interesting Tasmanian news. Harold came as far as Avon with us. Sunday Oct 10^th 1933:

Held S.S this morning but not a very big crowd out; do not know what was the matter. Went for a drive out along the river after lunch where Ivy and I had smoko under the shade of a coolibar. Had a service at night although not too many present.

Satirday Sept 16^th 1933:

In Townsville once more although have seen very little of it as have been in bed with flu since arriving on Wednesday. Over the worst of it now however and went out for awhile this morning. Had a crowd on the car coming into Isa as had Mrs Spratt, Mrs Griefham, who had a bust up with Mrs Schmidt, Mutton and Harold. All stayed the night at Johnnie’s place where we met Mrs Ransome. Had a fair train journey, Mrs Griefham, Mrs Smith and Peggy Davidson and self having a compartment to ourselves. Stan met the train and brought me here and was Dr and nurse, rather rough at times too. Saw Mrs Sidney, Mrs Griefham, Arthur and Mrs Dawson at the train. Mrs Griefham went on to Brisbane Wednesday night.

Thursday Sept 21^st 1933:

The Nellore is due in early tomorrow morning so will see the dear sister very soon now. Have had a few quiet days down here,. Visited a few folk and went across to the Island a couple of times. Met Bart Doyle. Went to the pictures twice. Not much to do in this place. Would not mind a few days over at Alma Bay. Saw Rev Tulip over there. Went with Arthur and Mrs Dawson over to Parsons. Feeling good now.

Saturday Sept 23^rd 1933:

Saw Olive ( his sister) off on the boat this morning when with others at 8am she said goodbye to Australia for a few years. Stan and I met the boat yesterday when it berthed at 7.30am. Olive came home and had breakfast with us. We toured the town then in a borrowed car and called on Rev Dingle and went up Castle Hill where the car failed us on a very steep and narrow spot but everything ended alright. Got Olive’s 2 friends after lunch and we all went around the town where the girls did some shopping and saw the sights. I had dinner on the boat with the six missionaries and had a very pleasant time and afterwards a sing on deck. Olive looks well and seems very happy as do all the others. May they all have much happiness and blessing in their great enterprise. Will soon be catching the western train myself. Have been and called on Mrs Smith and Mrs Crisp.

Monday Sept 25^th 1933:

Back in Camooweal once again. Had a good journey out. Brought Mrs Gordon and Frank and Mrs McVean out from Mt Isa with me. Mrs Gordon’s visit was a big surprise for everybody. Visiting dentist and optician also came out today.