Friday Dec 6th 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 7th 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 8th 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 9th 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 10th 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 2nd 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 11th 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 12th 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 13th 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 14th 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 15th 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 16th 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.
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