Tuesday Feb 14th 1933:
We are having real wet season weather now and no mistake. Dull and showery all day and at 3.30 this afternoon a good storm on a few minutes gave us half and inch. I had just got th the school for R.I when the storm arrived and it was nearly impossible to make myself heard. It unsettled the children altogether and I am afraid not many heard what I was talking about. There was supposed to be a meeting tonight but noone turned up at the hall and lit up as I did not go down. Suppose they waited for me to light up. Aussies are no good as cricketers. Gave Jack a hand this morning to plumb the building he is working on. He is not doing too badly for an amateur. Heard today that Carrondotta had 9 inches of rain in a very short time. Mail train only reached Mt Isa today, two days late, but it cannot be got to the P.O as there is 4 feet of water over the Leichardt bridge. Goodness knows when we will get the mail here.
There was more rain last night and it was still raining when I awoke and it continued nearly all morning. The river was well in flood and kept rising all day. The folk camped o the river all had to shift before night and some left it so late that they were surrounded and had to get help to remove their belongings. Mrs Lobbey sent up for me but when I got down there some of the men had shifted her. I had to wade waist deep through a gully to get to her camp and on the other side of the camp was the flooded river. Pattie is sick so I carried her back and left her in the hospital. Dr mad as usual. It was all I could do to get through the mud in places. Plane arrived this morning. Had sub-committee meeting at night.
Thursday Feb 16th 1933:
What a glorious river we have this morning. More rain last night increased the flow and early this morning the river was higher than it has been for a great number of years. It certainly is a noble stream now, well out over its banks. There is 3 feet of water in Beauchamps house. They themselves are now camped back on the ridge. Alf could not take off until after breakfast this morning and then just cleared the ‘drome fence. Arthur O’Keefe called up this morning and want me some time next week to do some dove-tailing for him. Started on my last months a/c’s and Board report etc. but had to knock off off to get the dinner ready, which is a nuisance as it takes up too much time. Took the car down to Wilsons after lunch and left it there to be pulled down and down next week I will start on it to overhaul it. Called in for awhile at Reilly’s. Dr Stewart and wife and child from Cohuna ( Victoria? ) who arrived yesterday chartered the plane to take them to Avon today as it will be impossible to travel the road by car for some weeks. Avon is 50 miles out and the plane was away only one hour. Had to go round then to Mosterts and Booths in connection with some cement and tennis. Had smoko at Booths. Got bathed and cleaned and had tea and then went for a stroll along the water front. Came home and Ivy called in for some papers, so then went for another stroll.
Friday Feb 17th 1933:
The river is keeping up rather remarkably although is of course not as high as a couple of days ago. Had an interrupted morning on account of different callers. Brain wanted me to go and help him mark the tennis court but this time I refused. I had to go down to Wilsons in connection with the car so told Brain that in passing the court I would show him where the pegs were and he could mark it himself. He did 3 parts of the marking too. Finished all my returns then and paid several a/c’s and had my mail posted by 5.30 pm. Attended after tea the special general meeting of hospital subscribers at which 5 people were present which speaks for itself.
Saturday Feb 18th 1933:
Had a rather busy time this morning putting in a concrete hearth for G Riley. Broady the local tradesman had twice previously done the job in the last two months but it did not last. After lunch got cleaned and went around to Broady on hospital and council business which kept me a couple of hours. Had smoko at Watsons and then callede down at Cronins and across to Reillys. Had then to go back to Broady. Rather foot weary too. I miss the car. Do me good though I suppose. Had a nice sponge cake given to me before I came home. Alf not back yet, the plane has broken down at Brunette. Tennis club are holding a dance in the hall tonight. Mr Quinn is shifting to the hotel tonight under cover of darkness. Sid still here with me. ( An interesting story there? )
Sunday Feb 19th 1933:
The country as far as the eye can see looks wonderful now. Green grass everywhere, even in our main streets. Beautiful weather also adds to the loveliness of the picture. Had the largest number of children this morning at S.School for this year. Glen came along to help also. Quite an encouraging school this morning. Spent a very lazy afternoon at home reading and sleeping. Have strung a stretcher up underneath and it is nice and cool on it. Had my Sunday’s dinner as usual at the hotel. Had a very nice service at night at which Mrs Reilly Jnr sang very nicely “ O Divine Redeemer”. She has a lovely voice. After service went across to Reillys and enjoyed icecream, soft drinks and cake.
Monday Feb 20th 1933:
Was down the town most of the morning at Wilsons and then Synnotts getting a list of new parts wanted for the car and wiring and ringing Mt Isa for them. Called in at Cronin’s and had 11 0’clock tea. Had to drive in Synnotts car Mrs Smythe and Glen to hospital and afterwards got some more timber that was necessary for the new morgue. After lunch walked down to the river to see the folk there and heard all their troubles. Very amusing some of them are too. Walked back and had a lie off. Then got cleaned and went down the town. Did some shopping. Had my hair cut. Spent the evening at home.
Tuesday Feb 21st 1933:
Spent the greater part of today in my castle. Had to go down and see what had been done on the car, which I did straight after breakfast. Did some drawing to act as an illustration for my talk to the children at school in the afternoon. After school went to the P.O and rang up Rocklands and got Joe Seelim. Tried to get his house in town here for Mrs Lobley but was unsuccessful. Went over later to Burrs to Georges 1st birthday party. Visited the hospital after tea and saw the patients. 2 admitted today with gathered ears.
( Chronic ear infection) Annie not too good. The other chap, a stranger, seemed fairly well. Mrs Ah Wing has a daughter. Mr Ah Wing doesn’t want it. Why? Bill Suckling a lot better. He nearly went out to it a while ago. Ivy came down for awhile from the hospital.
Wednesday Feb 22nd 1933:
Kept busy today in hospital business, mainly over Mrs Beauchamp. Dr is a very unsatisfactory individual to deal with and has no professional manner at all. Weather continuing very hot. The hospital patients were not feeling the best this morning.
Thursday Feb 23rd 1933:
Another day of worry and anxiety for all and sundry with the centre of operations at the Parsonage. Beauchamp case increasing in tension. Mrs Logan had a premature baby which lived only 3 hours. Dr and hospital in trouble for this. Buried the baby this afternoon.
Friday Feb 24th 1933:
A quiet day. An appreciable change. Car still in dock, waiting on spare parts. Hard having to walk everywhere. Got my mail away today. Saw that the patients were alright in the hospital.
Saturday Feb 25th 1933:
Beauchamp case again rears its ugly head. President of the hospital to the fore. Trouble also with the Council and Hospital Secy which had to be looked into. The case of suspected infection on the river reported byt the DR and taken up by the Council has been dropped. Had a very nice gathering at lodge tonight.
Sunday Feb 26th 1933:
Beauchamp up again this morning before S.S. Another word to the Dr. Left it all then in his hands again. Later referred them to Mrs Reilly. A nice gathering at S.School. Had swim before tea to cool off and a fair number at service at night. Mrs L.L Reilly again sang sweetly.
Monday Feb 27th 1933:
Great interest being taken in Beauchamp case. Aerial Dr being consulted over the phone. No satisfaction anywhere. Hospital President going grey.
End of another diary……..Tuesday Feb 28th missing.
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