Burketown and building.

Saturday August 1st 1931:
Left Camooweal today on route for Burketown. Had a big load up as besides all my gear carried three passengers. Had lunch along the road and first stop was made at Undilla where we remained for a couple of hours, only a couple at home here. Found that the bus was using a large quantity of oil, a lot leaking away. Went on and called at Thorntonia but did not stay any longer than to deliver the mail.
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All but one of the family here away. Ten miles along the road sighted a dingo which was quickly dispatched. Dusk approaching so decided to camp and pulled up on the bank of the Seymour River. Of course no water in it. Found our camp surrounded by goanna warrens, big ones too, but found them friendly neighbours. Had gramaphone music after tea, until time to retire.
Sunday Aug 2nd 1931:
Had to fix the fault on the bus, allowing oil to escape, before starting off. Met some folk on the road who were returning from the Gregory races. Got nearly to Gregory but found there were still a number of people recovering from their few days festivities before returning home, so decided not to go on , but camp a few miles out on the river. Manager of Riversleigh came in with us. Car going well today.
Monday August 3rd 1931:
Found all the folk today more or less recovering from the effects of the few strenuous days and nights they had away. Continued on all day and reached Burketown at 9 pm. put up at the hotel. Tuesday Aug 4th 1931:
Visited around the town today. Went to the school. Went down to the river for a couple of hours in the afternoon with the ploice Segeant, Bank Manager and Shire Clerk and fished. Only caught two between us. Had service at night, with practically all available protestants present. Went in to Shadforths for a while afterwards.
Wednesday Aug 5th 1931:
Loaded up early. Collected box of magazines sent around from Cato Melbourne. Took Nell Doyle on as passenger to Punjaub (?). Hot day. Rough dusty roads. Reached Springs at dusk. Gave the men there some music and had a talk.
Thursday Aug 6th – 8th 1931:
To Riversleigh for an overnight stay, then on to Camooweal.
Sunday August 9th 1931:
A very good day. A nice crowd at S.School in the morning. Visited around the place and hospital. Record crowd at service at night, 65 in all. Good service. Some special singing by Miss Meyers greatly helped.
Monday August 10th 1931:
Car in demand again today. Several going into Mt Isa to catch the train, found themselves stranded through the hire car failing to function. Drove them in myself. Stayed at the A.C.B.
Tuesday Aug 11th 1931:
A busy day in the Isa. Saw the crowd off in the train at 10.30 am and did not stop after that executing orders for all and sundry. Had the car in the garage for a couple of hours, finding a ‘short’. Had to keep also two appointments with the dentist.
Wednesday Aug 12th 1931:
Had a hot, dirty, dusty trip out from Mt Isa. Did not appreciate any part of that trip.
Thursday Aug 13th 1931:
C of E Bishop and Rev Norton in town at present, but left after lunch. Gone out west.
Sunday Aug 16th 1931:
Another very quiet day. Slight all round depression as not the usual number at S. School and very few at Church at night. Big contrast to last Sunday night. Visited the hospital this afternoon.
Tuesday Aug 18th 1931:
Put the car in dock again today as have to remove broken front cross member and replace it with a new one. Took it down to Wilsons where are handy all the necessary tools. Doing the job myself but want Wilson to solder radiator.
Wednesday Aug 19th 1931:
Getting on very well with the bus although rather an awkward job.
Thursday Aug 20th 1931:
Got broken member out today and riveted the new one in. Good work.
Saturday Aug 22nd 1931:
Finished the bus today and greased and oiled her and got her in good going order.
Tuesday Aug 25th 1931:
Went out with Jack Miller to the O’Shannessy to get blocks for house.Fell 20 trees and cut into 10 feet lengths and barked 10 of them. Raised some beautiful blisters. Camped out.
Wednesday Aug 26th 1931:
Cut and barked the remaining ten this morniong the loaded 11 into the lorry and brought them in, arriving back at 4 pm. Weather terrible windy and dusty. R.C’s holding a mission in the town.
Thursday August 27th…..
Spent the morning in my room, reading and writing. Decorated the Parsonage this afternoon in honour of a wedding that was duly celebrated at 7.30 pm. Had a quiet breakfast with a few friends. Bride only 16 years old.
Friday August 28th….
Went out the 40 miles today and brought in the remaining 9 blocks.
Saturday Aug 29th 1931:
Resting mostly, recovering from the strenuous work of getting the blocks.
Mon Aug 31st 1931:
Went up this morning and marked out my allotment and pegged out the building. No survey pegs about to define streets so had to do the best I could to find corner. Cannot be more than a few inches out. Went to the school this afternoon.
Tues Sept 1st 1931:
Armed with pick and shovel and bar made terrific onslaughts on post holes. Hot work. Hard sinking. Most of holes are a couple of inches under the 3 feet. Wardsman from hospital took pity and gave me a hand with a few of them. Put 10 down by 3.30 when had to knock off. Did some writing at night.
Wed Sept 2nd 1931:
Finished the other t5 holes myself this morning and then prepared a tin full of ant poison to feed the white ants. Oiled and greased the car. Wrote some letters.
Thursday Sept 3rd 1931:
Jack Miller went out to the Springs (100 miles) in lorry this morning and I followed in the car. Arrived there a while after dark.Several men camped around the place. Billy W - still here.
Fri Sept 4th 1931:
Got to work and pulled down cottage. A couple of the chaps camped here gave us a hand. Discovered I made too good a job on the bus as I tightened nut on front axle too severely and so broke roller race. Think it will take me home.
Sat Sept 5th 1931:
Loaded up lorry this morning and Jack left a while before lunch. Went across to Riversleigh myself in the afternoon. Fixed the wheel axle sufficiently to keep going a while longer.
Sunday Sept 6th 1931:
Returned to the Springs this evening.

Monday Sept 7th 1931:
Loaded up my bus this morning and had a big load on it too. Still about ½ ton to bring in. Held up at Herbervale mending punctures and changing tyres. Reached Camooweal about 9 pm.
Tuesday Sept 8th 1931:
Got mail this morning, delivered several parcels I brought in. Unloaded car and stacked timber. Did some reading.
Wednesday Sept 9th 1931:
Hard work again. Put blocks in. Some of them took lifting too. Hot weather. A fair number in town. Several meetings to be held. Attended hospital meeting at night.
Thursday Sept 10th 1931:
Levelled blocks today and started to cut the tops. Awkward work. Much easier of two at it with big cross-cut, but not too many about I found of voluntary labor. Attended School Comittee meeting this evening.
Friday Sept 11th 1931:
Had rain today so could not work on the house. Did quite a lot of writing instead. Attended tennis meeting at night.