Goodbye 1929

Tuesday Dec 24^th 1929:

Another hot dusty day and I am quite unable to realize that tomorrow is Xmas day. Did some writing and reading and after tea went up the town. Plenty of people walking about, all doing the same as myself, nothing. Beer strike continues, no drunks about. Plenty of grofg arrived on the train though for individual people. The ‘basher gang’ has struck terror in the hearts of many who have been drinking as thety have caught some and knocked them about unmercifully. Majority of people are now well armed and are taking no risks. No entertainment of any sort in the town, some kids let off fire crackers. A rotten Xmas eve.

Wednesday Dec 25^th 1929:

Xmas day 1929. Had a service in Mt Isa at 8 o’clock, only a few out. With Todd Kennedy left straight after service for Camooweal. 8 miles out met a chap with his car, a Hudosn, stopped in a gully and could not start it. Fiddled around for a while and then had to tow him out. Had no ropes so used a sapling and a couple of pieces of wire. Could not leave him stranded there very well on Xmas day so turned around and brought them back to Isa and made a fresh start. This delay made us miss our Xmas dinner as did not reach Camooweal until 3 o’clock. The big spree was all over but some was saved for us so we had some turkey duck and ham and plum pudding which was not too bad. A crowd then went out a couple of miles for a swim which was very nice. Returned in the evening and had the service at night when a nice little crowd turned out. Went across to Reilly’s afterwards and talked and played the gramaphone.

At midnight someone suggested games which were indulged in for an hour, then Mr and Mrs Reilly’s health was drunk etc etc and all went home to bed.

Thursday Dec 26^th 1929:

Boxing Day and nothing doing. In Camooweal all day. Writing and cleaning and fixing the bus. Had an evening in the hall at night which I attended for a while and then home to bed.

Friday Dec 27^th 1929:

Another quiet day. All went for a swim in the afternoon which was much enjoyed and did nothing at night.

Saturday Dec 28^th 1929:

Left at 7 am en route for Mt Isa. Had a rotten trip as I did not want to come to this place at all. Got in in time for lunch, so went across and had some. Did some visiting in the afternoon, trying to find some Methodists and found a couple. Thought we were going to get some rain, but failed. Went over to Sherman’s after tea and stayed there for a while.

Sunday Dec 29^th 1929:

Reading and writing during the morning and went out after lunch to tell a few more about service but on account of the heat everyone was sleeping so gave up and came back. Very few at Church at night. Visiting did no good. Good crowd all day attending 2-up school across the road.

Monday Dec 30^th 1929:

Two days I this place quite sufficient, so getting everythiong done this morning I had to, and after doing some shopping for different ones at Camooweal decided to go out there again.

Took Bill McAlister out with me : ‘nuff sed’. Discovered that a lot of rain had fallen on Saturday between Isa and Camooweal. Had frequently to leave the road to avoid bogs. Road soft and cut up. Water in all the creeks but not high enough to stop us going through. Slow traveling. Twice got into nasty patches but managed to get out. A bad bog on the 40 mile plain. Got there at 8 pm. Found 4 lorries and 2 cars there, just got through. Some had been there all day and had had an awful time. All were covered in mud. Some Yanks, just out and going through to Lawn Hills, were completely fed up. These lorries had cut a track, so had no trouble myself getting through. Went on leaving the others scraping off the mud. Passed a couple of other cars further on, just going and that was all. Arrived Camooweal at 10.30 pm leaving a string of lorries and cars following behind. Delivered ice and other parcels I had bought out and had something to eat and then to bed.

Tuesday Dec 31^st 1929:

Had a day of cleaning up. Washed, ironed quite a number of articles, urgently needing the application of water. Helped decorate the hall for the concert and dance at night in aid of the C.W.A. Was on the gate until 10.30 pm and collected 18 pounds 10 shillings from those going in. A fair crowd in the town, arriving for the Hospital Benefit Race meeting on the morrow. Some toughs too, who have wandered out from Mt Isa, spoiling the respectability and peacefulness of our little town.

Pre-Christmas and a wedding.

Tuesday Dec 17^th 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 18^th 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 19^th 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 20^th 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 21^st 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 22^nd 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 23^rd 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.

To Townsville then on the road again.

Friday Dec 6^th 1929:

Thought to get away this morning by car with a chap going to the ‘curry but was 3 o’clock when started out. Had a ‘blowout’ on the way in delaying us. Stopped at Duchess and then at the Burke river for tea. Called at Malbon hotel and had a beer and eventually arrived at Cloncurry at midnight. Cecil was just going to bed, so after having another ‘beer’, this time at the Prsonage made up a bed and retired.

Saturday Dec 7^th 1929:

Upon inquiry found that I cannot with any certainty get to Townsville before Wednesday night so will not be leaving until Tuesday’s train. Spent the morning in trying to get Mencar’s car in going order and it now goes sometimes. Gribble conducted a funeral this afternoon so went to that after which went and gave the boys a hand putting down and ant-bed tennis court. Had a bit of fun with the car as she would not start an so missed tea at the hotel but rang up a private place and told them I was coming there to eat. Pictures at night.

Sunday Dec 8^th 1929:

A hot day although not much worse than any others of late. Gribble is sure he will not last two months of this and wonders why this country was ever taken from the blacks. Slept most of the afternoon and went out to Young’s for tea. Helped Cecil with the service at night. Not many out, perhaps too hot for them. Cecil very self-important now has charge of a Church. Remarkable change from the carefree individual of a few weeks ago.

Monday Dec 9^th 1929:

Acted as the Rev C Gribble’s chauffeur as I refuse to let him take the car on his own, seeing as he either walks home or rings me and I have to go and start it for him. Took him to the school for religious instruction and called for him again. Went in with the other parsons, 2 Prebytuys, a C of E and Wowser, to the H T residence and had morning tea. Drove him to the hospital for an innnoculation against typhoid, where I also met some of those who nursed me back to health and strength when I first came to the ‘curry. Went out n7 miles in the afternoon and called on the lady whose husband Cec buried on Saturday. The old lady is full of trouble at present, with her bereavement and then her son is awaiting trial for misappropriating 600 odd pounds of the local council’s funds while her daughter has also been in trouble. She reckons she is having more than her share.

Tuesday Dec 10^th 1929:

Packed up and at 11 am went to the station. A chap from Camooweal was going down so we traveled together. About 100 chaps from Isa came in the morning and caught the train and as

no beer strike here they made up for the enforced ‘dry stage’ of the past weeks. We intended traveling 2^nd but with all those carriages taken by the Isa element such as it was, we changed to first and had a compartment all to ourselves right to Townsville. Very hot traveling and read and slept alternatively.

Wednesday Dec 11^th 1929:

Still traveling and a quiet day on the train. The drunks are truly dead drunk and lying like logs all over the train. Got to Charters Towers about 2 o’clock and during the stay of about 20 mins rang up my friends and told them to expect me to call on the way back in a day or two. Reached Townsville at 6.30 pm. and intended to stay at the chap’s place with whom I traveled but discovered the agent had let his place and so we had to go to an hotel. Not a bad place to stay though. In the main street but very quiet and clean

Thursday Dec 12^th 1929:

A busy day. All the morning down at the ‘Ford’ shops, fixing up about the car and getting it ready for the road. The car looks alright and ought to do the job. Shopping and attending to other business all the afternoon. After tea McKechnie and I relaxed and sauntered down to thte beach. It was great to get a sea breeze again and see and smell the briny. We walked away out on a breakwater and sat down and enjoyed the position to the full. What a contrast to Camooweal. I wanted to go for a swim but Mac was not keen at night and suggested early in the morning but that meanbs no swim at all. Walked back up the town and had icecream and drinks and then back to bed. Met Rev Hall during the afternoon and true to our calling we went to a cafe and had afternoon tea, Hall ‘shouting’.

Friday Dec 13^th 1929:

After getting everything ready and calling on Rev Lapthorne and out nto West End to see Rev Hall, went and got the car which was all ready for the road. Went across to the Federal Hotel in South Townsville and picked up Eric Mulcahy, who has been attending Christian Brothers college in Townsville and who is going home to Camooweal. Had lunch there at the hotel and left Townsville at 2 o’clock. With no mishap, covered the 84 miles to Charters Towers by 6.15 pm. The road not the best, over hilly country all the way. Left Eric at the White Horse hotel and went on to Lams where I stayed the night. After tea drove the three girls over to the park where there was a big fete on in aid of the local band. Got robbed of a few bob while there and also two of tge girls but managed to keep hold of one. A big crowd but after a few months in the west too much glitter and noise for me.

Saturday Dec 14^th 1929:

Had some business to do in the Towers, after which at 10 am set out once more heading west. Kept going , stopping only at lunch time to boil the billy and lunch of bread and cheese. Found a chap stranded in one place having run out of petrol, so fixed him up for 12 shillings and sent him on his way. Filled up with benzine at Hughenden and went on. Finished the cheese for tea and off again. Picked up a couple of chaps who wanted to get to Cloncurry and put them in the back. One seemed a decent cove , but the other was a real ‘hobo’. Called it a day at 10.15 pm, after doing 230 miles, so pulled up and rolled in.

Sunday Dec 15^th 1929:

Up at 5 am and after breakfasting off boiled eggs, set off at 6 0’clock. The road much better now, as right in the open downs, very hot though. Pulled the garage man out of bed at Richmond at 7.30 am and got some benzine and off again. Nothing eventful during the day, nothing to see. Went through a few patches where rain had fallen making the country green bt the road rough. Reached Cloncurry at 5.30 pm after 200 miles had been traveled. Oiled and greased the car all over and then got cleaned for tea. Went to Church, collected several things to take out, listened to a band concert for a while and retired.

Monday Dec 16^th 1929:

Up at 5 am and were soon on the road. 30 miles out stopped, boiled the billy and had breakfast. Reached Duchess at 9.30 and Mt Isa at one o’clock. Got stuck awhile in a sandy crossing and had a puncture, delaying us for a while. Had lunch in Isa and left there at 2.30 pm. Pushed the bus a bit from there and had a good run to Camooweal arriving at 8.15 pm, with 270 miles for the day. Eric’s mother very excited at seeing her son as we were not expected. He was splendid company and I enjoyed having him. Got shaved and cleaned and went and got the mail. Delivered several parcels and had tea and supper combined at Reilly’s. Got a few things ready for Burketown trip and retired.

Storm and beer strike.

Monday Dec 2^nd 1929:

Had glorious storm here last night, with wonderful rain, registering 2 ¼ inches. The roads in a few minutes were rivers. Everyone was wildly excited and took great delight in getting wet. It left the roads and streets frightfully boggy though and the Church service had to be abandoned. Cannot get into Isa today now as the lorry would not get far on the road at present. The mail lorry left this afternoon and dug tracks a foot deep going out of the town and everyone tips he will not get far. The Georgina river ran as a result of the rain and with a long stretch of water just outside the town the place does not look so forsaken and desolate.

Tuesday Dec 3^rd 1929:

Decided to give the roads another day to dry, harden before taking the lorry over them, so am still in Camooweal. Went out to Kaiser Ck this morning and helped a chap cart some sand and the road was very soft.

Wednesday Dec 4^th 1929:

Left this morning at 7 o’clock with Les Warren on his lorry. Four of us altogether going in. Two of us, as the lorry was empty, deposited ourselves in the back and unrolling my swag stretched out to it. It was rough though and left me with many bruises. 50 miles out a car caught up to us and took my mate ‘of the back of the lorry’ with them and so I had all the lorry to myself. The sun was relentless to and had no mercy, exposed to it as I was all day. The car that passed us, a little further on became bogged and when assisting them out we were nearly bogged ourselves. 16 miles from Isa came across another lorry of the ‘firms’broken down, so after shifting 50 cases of benzine from it to our lorry, and hitching it to ours, towed it in, myself supervising the steering of the disabled lorry. One thing above all else, Mt Isa is known for, is its dust and for the 16 miles I got it all, seldom seeing any more than the hood of the lorry in front of me. Hoped to have a good sleep but a beer party on ‘black beer’ settled that and in the end took my swag up the yard and reposed on mother earth whose breast was hard and stony.

Thursday Dec 5^th 1929:

Having made enquiries about trains etc, found that having missed the ordinary, would have to take a chance on specials otherwise could not get from Cloncurry to Townsville until Tuesday. May get away from the ‘curry on Sunday night, as a train leaves

There but just not sure if connects right through. Went around the place and saw one or two. Asked G Moores to take the service Sunday but as he was not too willing did not press him, so am leaving things until I return. The beer strike is still on although a fair amount of ‘black beer’ is being ‘put down’. The ‘pubs’ had a win the other day as they managed to get one of the ‘pickets’ well drunk and had him arrested. The town is very quiet and orderly though and quite a contrast to prior to the strike.

Never a dull moment.

Sunday Nov 10^th 1929:

Spent a very lazy day. Did practically nothing except read. Ent out for a run in the car before lunch to see some folk about 4 miles out. Attended at night a united memorial service in Presbyterian Church, in memory of a young minister, drowned a week ago in a water hole at Birdsville. The only water hole for hundreds of miles. Young chap had only recently arrived from England. After Church went to J Moore’s and had a sing.

Monday Nov 11^th 1929:

Just a day in Cloncurry. Still very hot and somewhere rain is falling, not very far distant. At tea tonight at the otel met Mr and Mrs Sutton and Mrs Smelly, from Lake Nash station in the Territory. Having left out there they are making their way east to the coast.

Tuesday Nov 12^th 1929:

Having had an inch of rain last night 40 miles out on the road to Mt Isa, traveling bu car is out of the question, so Cec and I left at 9 am by train and arrived Mt Isa at 4 pm. A hot day. Dull uminteresting journey. Went across to the town. Cec booked a room at the hotel. Left my things at Warren’s office, and decided to bunk there. Had tea and went and saw one or two we knew. Beer strike been on here now for 4 weeks, still going too. Pickets outside both hotels. Publicans are beginning to feel it now. Mt Isa is a different place, no drunks about. First time numbers of men have ever saved money. Neither side will give in. Squash people are doing a great trade. Had wind, dust and rain storm here at night. Storms seem to be following us out.

Wednesday Nov 13^th 1929:

Left at 9 am with Les Warren on the lorry, with loading for Alroy Downs, 60 miles past Camooweal. A long day. Reached Camooweal at 9 pm. Ran intop several stoms on the way out but only bogged once and that only for a few moinutes. Dance in full swing whn arrived. Ent and got my mail and quite a lot too and spent a pleasant hour reading it all. Dust storm followed us and arrived half an hour after we got in. Made a mess of everything too. Had some rain during the night.

Thursday Nov 14^th 1929:

Terrible place this when it rains. Have been carrying around several pounds of mud on my boots. It is good to see the rain though, especially here in Camooweal where it has looked as if it never has rained and never would. Had several showers during the day. Went across to the hospital and visited a couple of my parishioners who are laid up. Did some reading at night. Quite a number of casuals in the town at present, giving it rather a busy appearance.

Friday Nov 15^th 1929:

Just an ordinary day. Settling accounts, writing and posting letters. Visited hospital. Got a surprise at dinner tonight when Jack Williams walked in. Had come in with Mr Schmidt from Alroy. Jack had been held up at Rockhampton waiting to get back here, with two cracked wheels. This makes the 17th wheel since he has had the car. He is very discouraged about it all. Goodness knows when he will get back to Alice Springs now. A couple of other chaps came in from the Territory tonight and about 8 all told came here and had a party with the Dr. It developed into rather a wild night. One or two through having too much refreshment became a little nasty. Jack, the pilot on the plane, and self took our swags out the back away from the noise and got to sleep about 2 am.

Saturday November 16^th 1929:

Weather still very warm and we are still getting showers. All doing good. Reading and writing most of the day. Spent the evening down at the Cottage.

Sunday November 17^th 1929:

Weather not becoming any cooler. While it remains hot however, we will get rain. Had Sunday School this morning. Very encouraging too. 27 children attended. Did some visiting around the town and arranged for service at night. Miss the car for going around, especially in the heat. Not an extra large congregation at the service but have no complaints. Had a yarn and supper across at Reilly’s afterwards.

Monday November 18^th 1929:

South east wind today, meaning rain has gone for a while. Still hot however. At home all day, reading most of the time. Did some writing at night. Town quiet once more as all; visitors have departed. One or two will not be missed either, as could hardly say they were an asset.

Tuesday Nov 19th to Sunday Dec 1^st 1929:

In Camooweal all the time. Frightfully hot weather all the time and although at times plenty of storm clpouds about and rain fallen in other parts we missed. Nothing exciting happening.

Been out to a few parties in the town in honor of different ones leaving on holidays. Have been doping some reading and writing, although not as much as I should have. Jack returned from Mt Isa with two new wheels and went on out to Alroy with Mr Schmidt. He was in over one weekend, so took the service at night for me. There was not a full muster though but expect the extreme heat had something to do with it. Several days it was 114 on the verandah of the hospital and one afternoon in that heat, several of us went out and played cricket. Received communication from the Colonel stating that a new car was being shipped from Melbourne so will soon be proceeding to Townsville to bring it through. Missed a wedding the other day through having no car to go in and the police constable, on the spot, having a licence, did the job.

A chap out on one of the stations, after a beer up, belted and then shot up a nigger. He has been arrested and is now out on bail, awaiting trial. The nigger is very bad and will probably die. He has been taken to Cloncurry by plane for X-ray and treatment.

Had break-up sports for the kiddies on the 29^th over in the school grounds when I had the job, assisted by the H.T, of running the sports etc. Had a very pleasant afternoon and had no arguments with any of the mothers although heard murmurs at times.

A tropical storm

Friday Nov 8^th 1929: Cloncurry

Too hot altogether: have been expecting something to happen as the outcome of the hot, steamy weather and tonight it happened and with a vengeance too. Cec and I went across to Young’s to tea. Big banks of heavy storm clouds had covered the sky and there was a very angry sunset. Plenty of thunder and lightning in the distance. First herald of a disturbance was a terrific duststorm. In a few minutes there was a thick coat of dust on everything. Tea could not be partaken of until there was a general clean up and still we ate grit. Heavens by now was brilliantly illuminated by lightning and with the heavy clouds about was a wonderful sight. Cecil was especially thrilled and would not come in to tea, as he had for a long time desired to see a tropical storm. The thunder and lightning became more fierce and yet more wonderful. A few heavy drops of rain fell and then a lull. A few minutes later though the rain started in earnest, then the wind reached cyclonic force and the lightning made the whole storm rather fearsome. We feared that the house was going to be lifted and deposited, noone dared suggest where. All tins and anything loose lying about were soon fast disappearing in the distance. The lightning was so continuous that outside it was as day. The ground soon represented a vast lake and in front of the house, where there was a small gully, a few minutes before quite dry, now was a swirling race of muddy water. It was all over in about an hour but left traces behind of its visit, so as we would not soon forget. Mencar rang up for us to go home, and after ploughing through mud and wading through ater, we reached high land and a car and went home. What a sight greeted us. Half the home had either disappeared or was blown in. Mencar and his wife were standing in the front room surrounded by everything, some wet some dry, hastily thrown from the two bedrooms which had been unroofed. It was a mess and looked it. Many others in the town were in the same plight. We could do nothing but fix things so if it rained again, nothing more would get wet. This we did. Had many kind invitations from friends to spend the night at different homes but went back to Young’s. The baby had slept through it all. So came and passed on my first tropical storm.

Saturday Nov 9^th 1929:

Joined the crowds of sightseers this morning and went the rounds, inspecting the damage done, did some snapping. A fair amount of damage done, mostly in unroofing places. One hotel lost all its front balcony. One row of shops lost their verandah. Methodism suffered to the largest extent as W(esley) C(hurch)’s were to be found in all sort of odd places and at queer angles. The Cloncurry River was a fine sight although the water was terribly muddy. In the afternoon though there came the reckoning. Mencar got in two girls, one to do the washing and one to clean up the house and they were ‘all out’. Having once held a hammer my job was outside. One wall, having been blown in, has to be shifted and put in position. Iron had to be collected and replaced as well as other jobs. The place was patched up though and will stand for a time until it is done properly when it will have to be rebuilt, that is the portion that was so badly damaged. Had another rain storm at night but no damage done this time. Noone growls about the damage however as the rain is so welcome.

Time in Charters Towers

Friday Oct 25^th to Thursday Nov 7^th 1929:

Travelling from Cloncurry to Charters Towers attending Synod and returning to Cloncurry. Hot steamy weather the whole time. Walking around in bath of perspiration. Terrible weather to be travelling on these trains. Had a rather decent time at Synod. Cec and I stayed at the same place, at Laun’s, relations of Young’s in Cloncurry. Gave us a good time and made us feel quite at home. Too many Synod meetings though and the fuss made of the Inland Missioners was humorous while ridiculous. Had us speaking at various meetings and always we received special mention. The brethren at Synod were a very decent lot and had some helpful times together. Got through the exams fairly well, although am not too sure about the written one. Had one or two off times while down there. Went one afternoon to the weir and pumping station. One night to a Blackheath College concert in the Thornburgh College Arbour. Grils are no good on their own at giving a concert. Went to a private evening the night before returning. Found the Thornburgh bath very acceptable during the heat, also the P.Q.R café with its icecream and squashes. 2 young ladies at the house where we stayed, also contributed to the happy time we spent. The fellowship with the brother ministers and laymen, in and out of Synod meetings was not the least pleasing aspect of the stay in the ‘Towers’. Spent a fair bit of money though, which was not the wisest policy. Had a good and helpful time and made some good friends.