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.