mustering over 2010

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Whooping cough and Howard Kettle's Ordination

Saturday Jan 24th 1931:

Weather continuing very hot and no sign of a welcome change with rain. River greatfor swimming now, although water is hot for the first few feet. Did some visiting. A few more cases of whooping cough.

Sunday Jan 25th 1931:

No Sunday School this morningn although a couple of kiddies came up and got their cards and papers to do their work at home. No service at night. Weather very hot.

Monday Jan 26th 1931:

Did some reading and writing and got down into the shed at the car. Perspiration pouring out of me, all the while inside. It is like working in an oven.

Tuesday Jan 27th 1931:

Another day in the oven , losing weight all the time. Mail lorry broke down coming out and is still on the road.

Wednesday Jan 28th 1931;

Mail got in this morning so had the morning off for reading and worked on the car this afternoon. Had a swim after tea.

Thursday Jan 29th 1931:

Finished the car and got out into a bit of a breeze. Wind has got around to south-east, but still hot.

Friday Jan 30th 1931:

All day writing and studying. Air mail closed this morning.

Saturday Jan 31st 1931:

Cleaned up my ‘home’ this morning and did some reading. Went visiting this afternoon and had a busy time going the rounds. Took me until 6.30 pm to visit all and then I only called on those where there are children. Only one home in the town where children are, is free from whooping cough. Some are recovering, while others are just contracting it. Heard many tales of woe. As far as we can gather when school opens on Monday there will only be about 8 children present. Two little girls who are in hospital are now on the mend. Decided to hold neither Sunday School or church until the worst is over.

Sunday Feb 1st 1931:

A very quiet day, spent mostly in reading with a little sleep and a swim before tea. Weather still very hot.

Monday Feb 2nd 1931:

Into the books this week. Solid reading and studying.

Tuesday Feb 3rd 1931:

Mail got in early this morning but very little for me. At the books all the time.

Wednesday Feb 4th 1931:

Had a break this morning when in company of two others had to visit the hospital to enquire into trouble that has arisen between matron and cook. Books this afternoon and evening. Mum’s birthday and nearly forgot it.

Thursday Feb 5th 1931;

At home all day and night, reading and writing, although had several visitors. Had the daily swim down at the Gardens.

Friday Feb 6th 1931:

Studying most of the day. Did some visiting. Went for a swim.

Saturday Feb 7th 1931;

Got the car ready for the road. Paid all my bills and packed up.

Sunday Feb 8th 1931:

Hoped to get an early start but women again. Had Mrs Jackson and baby and Glen on board and did not get away until 10.30 am. A good run in though slow. Mt Isa about 6 pm. Tired and dirty. Took my passengers to the hotel and then quartered myself at the back of the

A.C.B (?). Got cleaned and bathed and then had some tea. Too late for Church, although noone turned up as it happened. Pictures, skating and band contest on in the town. Retired early.

( August 2011…..transcribing these diaries was not easy in the early stages as I attempted to decipher my father’s handwriting. But as I’ve gone along I have been able to figure out most of the place names. However the place I have previously interpreted as Wandangi I now know to be Urandangi! Two days ago I met up with 2 ladies working with Frontier Services and in talking about these diaries and my travels up north they asked had I been to Urandangi as it is such a beautiful place. Immediately I realized that was the place I had transcribed as Wandangi! My father’s U r looked like a W. )

Monday Feb 9th 1931:

A day in Mt Isa. Did some shopping. Visited several folk.

Tuesday Feb 10th 1931:

Left Mt Isa by train at 9.45 am. Mrs Jacson and Glen traveling too. On the train all day and night.

Wednesday Feb 11th 1931:

Reached Townsville at 3.30 pm. Alf Pengelly met me and took me out to his mother’s place. Had a quiet evening.

Thursday Feb 12th 1931:

Came into the town and paid several calls and shopped. After tea went down to the baths and had a wonderful two hours in the briny. Had music to accompany the swimming.

Friday Feb 13th 1931:

Did some writing this morning and came into town this afternoon. Met Glen and Mrs J. After tea went for another swim.

Saturday Feb 14th 1931:

A quiet morning at home. After lunch went over with a party to Magnetic Island. Was not sea sick. Went out to Maddens for tea.

Saturday Feb 15th 1931:

Rode in on the bike to Church this morning and read and slept this afternoon. I took thte service at Stoke St this evening. Brought all the Pengelly’s with me.

Monday Feb 16th 1931:

Packed up this morning. Came into town after lunch. Had afternoon tea with Glen. Caught the train for Brisbane at 6 pm. Dr and Mrs Lapthorne traveling in same carriage.

Tuesday Feb 17th 1931:

Another weary day on the train. Nothing much to see, although plenty of green grass everywhere. Slept and read.

Wednesday Feb 18th 1931:

Arrived Brisbane at 6.30 am. Met by Rev Pittendrigh who motored me out to Toowong to home of Mr and Mrs Jenkins. A nice couple elderly. Went into the city and called on Rev Mills. At night went out to Nundah Church and preached trial sermon.

Thursday Feb 19th 1931:

Had exams all day at Albert St Church. Lined up with the rest of the chaps and faced the ‘Fathers and Brethren’.

Friday Feb 20th 1931:

Attended Conference meetings and dodged about the city.

Saturday Feb 21st 1931:

Went out to Sandgate and spent the day with Rev Hayes’ folk.

Sunday Feb 22nd 1931:

Went to Church at Toowong this morning and aftervlunch went over to Wesley Church at Kangaroo Poiunt where I spoke in the afternoon on ‘Inland Mission Work’ amd conducted the service at night.

Monday Feb 23rd until Friday Feb 27th 1931:

In Brisbane wandering about, in and out of Conference. Glean came dwon from Townsville and met her several times in Brisbane. Brisbane a fearful place to have to stay in. Spoke at H.M ( Home Mission) Meeting held in the City Hall on the Thursday night.

Saturday Feb 28th 1931:

Reached Sydeny at 8 am. Olwin met the train and piloted me out to the ‘Howard home’.

Met Jean Graham. Caught the train at 7.30 pm.

Sunday March 1st 1931:

Reached Melbourne at 12 noon. Home again and very nice too. A family reception at the station. Drove home by car. Dad at the gate when got there. At home until Monday March 16th, not nearly long enough but very nice while it lasted. Had a lovely happy time. Ordinstion took plasce at Wesley Church on the evening of March 5th. Met a number of old friends while at home. Too much to mention in detail all that happened but am looking forward to time when will be home again for much longer stay.

Monday March 16th 1931:

Left for Sydney by 5.30 am train from Spencer St. A nice crowd to bid farewell.

Tuesday March 17th 1931:

Reached Sydney at 11 am. Met by Mr and mrs Dawborn and went across to Cremorne and lunched with them. Went out to ‘Howards’ had tea and Olwin came in to see me off on Brisbane train.

Wednesday March 18th 1931:

Arrived Brisbane at 5.15 pm, met by Glen. Stayed night at People’s Palace. Until Tuesday 24th in Brisbane. Business and visiting. Brisbane a fearful place. Not sorry to see the last of it.

Had two nights and a day on the train from Brisbane to Townsville and long wearying journey. Reached Townsville on the 26th. Had a full day there, stayed the night at Pengelly’s.

Friday March 27th 1931:

Went on to Charters Towers and had a pleasant few hours at the home of the Laws (?).

Saturday March 28th 1931:

Left the ‘Towers’ on the ‘Isa mail train at 3 pm on the last stage of the return gtrain journey.

Sunday March 29th 1931:

Arrived Isa at 5 pm thankful to be able to leave trains out of my daily reckoning. Drove over to the town and put up at the A.C.B. Mrs McINtosh from near by sent up a stretcher, mattress and sheets and pillow slip. Very kind of her. Took the service in the Church at night.

Monday March 30th 1931:

After a busy morning nin Isa got loaded up and left by car for the ‘weal. Had two young chaps on as passengers. Had a puncture on the way and ran through a couple of storms but reached Camooweal at 9.30 pm. received a cordial warm welcome. Had a bath and retired.

Tuesday March 31st 1931:

A quiet day sorting things out and getting everything in its proper place. ‘Home’ had been nicely cleaned and tidied. Two chaps I brought out adjusted the brakes on the car for me. A very windy muggy day.

Wednesday April 1st 1931:

April Fools Day and was not fooled at all. Another ot windy day, wind still blowing from the north but no rain except a few showers. Mail got in today both air and ordinary.

Thursday April 2nd:

Another hot day ending with a good storm and a light drizzle to follow. Cooled things down a bit. Started out visiting the town folk but rain sent me home. Did some study.

Friday April 3rd:

Good Friday. A very quiet day, very few about. Finished my visiting. Did some sermon preparation. Had a service in the ha;; this evening. Crowd of 30 attending and very helpful service.

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