Sunday Nov 10th 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 11th 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 12th 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 13th 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 14th 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 15th 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 16th 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 17th 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 18th 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 1st 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 29th 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.
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