NOTE: Whilst transcribing the articles about Bourke published in various newspapers, I found that on occasion Oscar went 'missing' for periods of up to several weeks or even months. Although the Bourke articles were never signed by name, Oscar's unique journalistic style made him stand out like a beacon, and the author of the much briefer articles who filled in while Oscar was away from Bourke did not have the latter's dry sense of humour and obvious love of the English language. I have included the articles by this unknown writer who stepped into Oscar's shoes at times...there is no need to note when this happens- the more you read of Oscar and get a feel for his writing, the more obvious it becomes.
In this blog, I have also keep the original spellings as they appeared at the time of publication. At times some words have obviously been spelled incorrectly, but I have left them 'as is'. In particular, the names of early Bourke district stations, rivers and locations appear in a variety of spellings.
1863.
FORT BOURKE.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)
In order that the future historian of Bourke may not be at a loss for information respecting its origin early progress, I purpose, with your permission, to place on record a chronological account, with dissertations interspersed, of the event connected therewith.
BOURKE.—Bourke is in the county of Cowper, on the Darling River, 560 miles north-west of Sydney, in a bend of the river, known by the settlers as Eighteen Mile Point, the native name being Wortimurri. The site is well chosen, accessible on all sides. Being on the left bank of the river, several feet higher than the right bank, it can never be flooded; for, when the water reaches the top of the left bank, it must spread over a large extent of country, as it was in the floods of '61. The country may be said to be nearly a dead level; indeed, from Gilmore's station, near the head of the Bogan, 320 miles from Bourke, the country stretching to the Macquarie on one side, and the Lachlan on the other, is of the same level character. About sixty miles from Gilmore's you strike the saltbush country, from thence onwards nothing but myall and saltbush plains. On the river banks, red gum of moderate size, and thinly scattered over the plains, and occasional belts separating one plain from another ; you see a variety of trees of no large growth, but principally bastard box. New Year's Range, about 100 miles from Bourke, is the only exception to the level character of the country. By range, it is not to be understood one of great elevation, but simply a rising ground, undulating, and of stone formation. With the exception of a small patch of ground called the Stoney Range, twelve miles from Bourke, this is the only stone met with in the whole distance. Twenty-five miles from Bourke, on the left as you approach that place, is Oxley's Table Land. Being of considerable elevation, it is visible at a great distance, and forms a striking object, quite a relief to the monotonous plains over which you have been travelling. It appears to be about two miles long, level on the top, and divided into two by a gap nearly to its base. Some twenty miles south, not visible to the traveller, on the Bogan road, is De Urban's Group, of considerable elevation. In dry weather the roads are so good that you might drive any light vehicle with the greatest ease and comfort ; though the ground may be said generally to be rotten ground, but the roads become hard from the traffic : but woe betide the traveller who happens to be on the road when the rain comes with any kind of vehicle, be it buggy, cart, or dray, horses or bullocks : his progress will then be slow indeed. The soil is a kind of grey clay, and so tenacious when wet that it clogs the horses' feet just as snow does in those countries where snow falls, like round balls, and the wheels obtain a considerable addition to their diameter. You may as well rest, and let your horses rest too, for they can make no progress. It is difficult to travel even on horseback at such times, but happily for travellers the dry weather extends over long periods. So great is the evaporation that a very short time suffices to dry the roads after the rain ceases. It is true you may come across a "coul" or "billibong" where it may be boggy, but they are few. What is here said of the road down the Bogan may be said of the roads intersecting the country between it and the Macquarie, as well as on the Darling.
Bourke was laid out as a town by Mr. N. Wilson in the latter part of 1861, and is of the usual style- that is, streets crossing at right angles, divided into allotments, with reserves for public buildings, square, &c. A number of small farms are laid out on each side of the township. To those who are acquainted with the place it appears somewhat amusing to read on the lithographic plans, "Good agricultural ground." I suppose the surveyor receives his instructions to make farms of such and such a size; but they would scarcely tell him to call the land what it is not, or ever will be. The natural herbage is all that could be desired. The numerous indigenous grasses and shrubs dame Nature has suited to the soil, and the soil to them; they thrive wonderfully. We have had proof of this the last month or two. For months previous it was one grey sombre covering that met the eye; but since the rain, aye, in a week or two, all is green—grass, flowers, and shrub—and at this moment it is a perfect Eden for quadrupeds; but to talk of agriculture, is sheer nonsense. At some of the stations they manage a garden of small extent in some low choice spot, and by great care, that is, great expense, manage to raise something that looks like a cabbage; but to say at what cost, why "peas a guinea a quart" would be nothing to it. The fact is, it will grow nothing but beef and mutton. Everything that human beings require beside must be brought to the place, be it to sustain the body or cover the body. The surveyor, I conceive, ought to inform the gentlemen of the survey department what the land is really fit for, and not delude them and the public. The physical character of the country must be changed before it will grow anything but its indigenous products.
POLICE.—On the 1st Jane, the police magistrate arrived, accompanied by the clerk of petty sessions, two constables, with horses and carts; and on the 6th his duties commenced by hearing a charge of highway robbery against three men. At an adjourned meeting they were remanded to Bathurst, and two of them (one having escaped on the way) were convicted, and sentenced to fifteen and ten years, respectively, and another, at the same assizes, to seven years, for shooting with intent, at the same place. A considerable amount of police business has been transacted since, disputes between masters and servants preponderating.
On the 9th January, a sub-inspector and two constables arrived. The Assembly, last year, passed a large addition to the police vote, and we find that this portion of the territory has not been overlooked. Previously there had been a station formed at Canonba, on the Duck Creek, 160 miles from Bourke. In the distribution of the new force, there is to be one at Warren, seventy miles from Dubbo, being with Canonba, the line of escort for prisoners; two stations between Canonba and Bourke; one on the Culgoa, and one on the Warrego—both to the westward of the Darling, between that river and the boundary of Queensland—one also at Stonehenge. The latter, some think, ought to be at Brewanina, or Native Fishery, being a township, whereas Stonehenge is merely a station, miles from Brewanina. Whilst the easterly side of the Darling has been provided for, it would be well if something was done for the river between Bourke and Perry (Merrindee) a distance of 300 miles, but there is no doubt this will be provided for in due time. Thus by a cordon of police stations the country will be free from the numerous horse stealers that infest it. Horse stealing has been very prevalent, but from the energy of the sub-inspector who has had several days' hunt after four, against whom warrants were issued, there is reason to believe that they have sought other quarters. I may here remark that if those characters were not supplied by some of the squatters, they could not hold their footing for a week. It would be a public benefit if an example or two were made of these gentry.
LANDSBOROUGH,—On the 5th June Landsborough and his party arrived at Bourke, having struck the Darling at Bunananna, forty miles higher up. They stopped one night, and then proceeded down the river. I need not occupy your space by any remarks on the successful completion of Landsborough's journey over the trackless bush, further than contrasting this expedition, the least costly, with that of the much lauded, badly managed, both in its inception and working, of Burke. From what we hear of the doings of the Melbournites, in reference to the remains of Burke and Wills, one would fancy they expect to throw the mantle of oblivion over their own reckless expenditure and want of management, by "earthing up" the carcases in splendour. From the discoveries of Landsborough the whole of the colonies will largely benefit, and perhaps no part of New South Wales will be more intimately connected with it than Bourke, which will be the centre of vast grazing interests.
LAND SALE.—On the 23rd and 24th September the first land sales were held at Bourke. All the town lots, thirty in number, were sold, a few above the upset price, and three of the suburban lots. The week previous, the clerk of petty sessions held a land sale at Brewanina, or Native Fishery, about 70 miles above Bourke, which went off well.
BUILDING.—Nine months ago there were two bark huts in the place and a store in the course of erection, but we have now two public-houses, which were opened, one on the 11th November, the other on the 1st December. These buildings were all commenced before the land sale, and it turned out that the store and one public house were erected on the section reserved for public buildings ; the other public-house, the Bourke Hotel, on an allotment that was purchased by the proprietor at the land sale. Those buildings, which are worth £2000, with the temporary residence of police magistrate, and one or two other small places in the course of erection, at present constitute the town buildings. The houses, opening just at the end of the shearing season, have done a rattling business. I have no doubt it would surprise some of the down-country publicans if they knew the amount of money received by our publicans from the shepherds and shearers since they opened. It is, no doubt, to be regretted that money so hardly earned, should be so easily parted with; but such are the habits of these classes, with their long abstinence from drink, that when they receive their cheques (perhaps fifty or one hundred pounds, or more), they never stop till they get to a public-house, lodge their cheques in the landlord's hands, and in a few weeks at most ''knock it down," and with empty pockets and impaired health seek another flock, and wait for the next shearing to repeat the same course. The reasons given for opening these houses are that men will spend their money, however far they may have to travel—"so we save them trouble, and keep the money in the district."
HOSPITAL.—On the 10th February a public meeting was held at the Bourke Hotel, to consider the expediency of having an hospital at Bourke, presided over by the police magistrate. Resolutions were passed, and a committee appointed to carry out the object of the meeting. £320 was subscribed, of which £138 was paid on the spot.
TEMPERATURE.—The temperature of this place is worth a passing notice. The thermometer ranges very high. It is very variable. It is not uncommon to have a variation twenty degrees in a few hours; yet, notwithstanding, it is very healthy; owing, I suppose, to the dryness of the atmosphere. The only complaint that the residents are subject to is the blight. What they call sandy blight, is very painful; the other, the fly blight. The eye closes up very rapidly, and may continue for a few days; but very little pain accompanies the swelling. I give you the state of the thermometer below from July to February, which may be interesting to some of your readers.
THERMOMETER AT BOURKE, AT 2 P.M.
MONTH HIGHEST LOWEST AVERAGE.
July: 70 48 60
August : 85 51 65
September: 96 60 73
October: 97 69 75
November 104 86 96
December 112 92 103
1863.
January 110 92 94
February 103 76 88
THE DARLING.—A considerable amount, I will not say of suffering, but inconvenience, has been experienced for the last few months, from the want of rations, such as flour, sugar, tea, and tobacco, &c. This is attributable partly to the difficulty of travelling the latter part of last year, arising from the drought, and partly the non-arrival of the steamers up the Darling, as many of the stations were depending upon them. The latter part of 1861, the steamers were up as far as Walgate, the stations being well supplied by them at that time. The river at this time is very high at Bourke, about 20 feet above its ordinary level, and is still rising, but it is doubtful whether it will continue long enough to enable the steamers to get to Bourke or even to Perry, 300 miles lower down. Indeed it is pretty certain, unless the Murray be favoured with a like rise, and some think it is too late in the season, as that river is much influenced by the melting of the snow on the high lands of the south, which influence must have passed away in the early part of the summer. The rise in the Darling is owing to the fall of rain in the north and east, this being the only outlet, for all that falls to the westward of the Court Range—an immense watershed. There is a large extent of country to the westward of the Darling that sends its waters to the Darling also. Much has been said and written as to the best way of making the Darling navigable. Before noticing these plans I would observe, that from Bourke to the Junction of the Murray is from 800 to 1000 miles. This indefiniteness arises from the fact that the Darling has not yet been surveyed, but this will not be the case long, as the Assembly, last year, voted £3000 "for surveying and facilitating the navigation of the Darling." Some have proposed a series of locks. A civil engineer now on the Darling proposes to attain that object by placing strong dams at such intervals as the fall of the river will admit, and having on each level a suitable steamer, and tranship their cargoes from one to another. Of the two plans the latter would be, doubt- less, the cheapest; but the question may fairly be asked, would either succeed, and, if they would, "who is to do it ?" At the present time there is a large amount of traffic between these western districts and Melbourne and Adelaide, and the making of the Darling navigable would direct the whole to these places. Under this view of the question is the Government of New South Wales likely to spend money on so gigantic an undertaking? I should say not. For a long time back the customs revenue of this colony has suffered severely from the introduction of dutiable goods from Melbourne and Adelaide, and when the railway to Echuca is finished, it will suffer more. If this Darling was therefore made navigable the entire exports would go that way, and supplies received through the same channel. Looking at the question as it affects the revenue, it would be a suicidal act for the Government of New South Wales to expend an enormous amount of money on a project which would deprive it of the customs revenue of an area of country equal to one-half of the whole colony. What is to be done? Are the residents, who contribute so largely to the general revenue, to be deprived of the means of transit for their products, because the revenue is likely to suffer from their commercial connection with the adjoining colonies ?
RAILWAY.—There is another way which, in the opinion of some whose opinions are entitled to some consideration, would be much preferable to improving the navigation of the Darling, if improvable ; for after all it is quite problematical if either locks or dams would succeed. What is the plan? I answer, a railway worked by horses. It is about 300 miles to Mudgee from Bourke, that is, in a direct line. From the level character of the country there are no engineering difficulties to be overcome—little more would be required than laying the permanent ways. A few rivers to cross, but the bridges would not be of an expensive character. Such a line would take up the traffic of the higher Darling, the lower Bogan, the Macquarie, and indeed all the surrounding country, which is immense, and I have no doubt it would pay the interest of a very large outlay. On an average, the station owners have to pay for the carriage of their supplies, £20 per ton, to say nothing of the delays they are exposed to. I mean from the Darling and the lower Bogan these prices are paid, and instances not a few, the last year much more. It must be quite clear, I think, to any one acquainted with the country, that this is the only certain plan of meeting the difficulties surrounding this question. To secure this part of the colony permanently to New South Wales, and the revenue arising from a commercial connection with it, this or some such plan must be adopted. The Sydney merchants and shipping interests are deeply interested in this question, and every year will more and more press this subject upon their attention. A railway of the simplest kind would be sufficient for the purpose required.
SEPARATION.—There is just now an agitation going on about either a union with Victoria of the riverine portions of this territory, or the formation of an inland colony. These agitations are based upon the alleged indifference of the New South Wales Government to the wants of the residents; that it ignores, in a great measure, their right to participate in the revenue to which they so largely contribute. It is not my intention to enter into the merits of this question, further than to observe that I think the Government of New South Wales is not so blameable as they would have us to believe. If anyone will look at the estimates, say for the last two years, he will find that their claims have not been so entirely overlooked. It can only be by annual grants, judiciously expended on wants the most pressing in their order, that they can be met.
TELEGRAPH.—The cognate subject of telegraphs to these districts has been incidentally alluded to by the Press, in which they speak of bringing it up the Darling. There can be no doubt but this would be a great boon to the grazing interests in these districts, but I think it would be the better plan to bring it from Dubbo, to which place, in all probability, it will shortly be brought. The distance to that town by the wire would be 250 miles or less, while the distance by the Darling would be more than double that distance. Bourke, March 6th
-Empire, March 31, 1863.
FORT BOURKE.
(From an Aboriginal Correspondent.)
Under the able administration of Governor Garrett and his excellent Executive, this portion of Her Majesty's dominions is becoming quite a darling of a place. On every side the hand of improvement is seen busily at work, and in a very short time the "oldest inhabitant" won't know the scenes of his childhood. Amongst other good things we are promised those inevitable tokens of Colonial civilization, a Court House and Lockup—tenders for the erection of those national "Insititutions" having been shouted for by "William the Conqueror" of the Wollongongians. Business of every kind is beautifully brisk, and our merchants and traders are "doing a stroke" unequalled even in your much vaunted metropolis. Amusements are likewise abundant, and "black jokes" are as plentiful as blackberries in the Botanic Gardens—coloured "balls" are exceedingly numerous and help to keep the lieges in high spirits. In fact a more delightful spot for a residence than Fort Bourke cannot be imagined. The Governor is immensely popular—his jovial disposition endearing him to all classes, whether white, black, or mixed. The aboriginal "volunteer movement" is going ahead astonishingly, and "camps" are being continually formed for the encouragement of warlike exercises—an example which your Sydney warriors would do well to follow. The "Sable Minstrels" are likewise much in vogue, and one of our wealthy speculators contemplates the erection of a splendid Opera House. I regret to inform you that a "difficulty," attended with some inconvenience to one of the parties, occurred the other day. About a year since a coloured gentleman named Geordy was united to a beautiful girl from the Murray. The young lady, although of high birth, is of that complexion so much admired by Lord Byron—
"Dusky as night, but night with all her stars."
Mr Geordy's friends considering it infra dig that he should wed a maid from the Murray, were highly offended, and one of them named Gunda Tom, Esq., resolved to remonstrate with the "Darling black" on the impropriety of his conduct. One night as Geordy was enjoying his "gin-hot" at his residence Gunyah Villa, Tom entered an unwelcome appearance, and politely presented the loving husband with a spear, which, according to the Bathurst Free Press, "entering the front of the thigh, and coming out, and then entering the abdomen and out again, entered the back of his neck"—an operation from which the unfortunate gentleman suffered severely. The screams of Mrs Geordy alarmed the whole neighbourhood, and amid the general confusion the assailant vanished; but as a reward of £0000 has been offered for his apprehension, it is hoped our black troopers will capture the villain. I am happy to add that through the kindness of several old ladies who are lubra-cating his wounds, poor Mr Geordy, although very dark, is in a fair way of recovery. This terrible event, as you may imagine, has caused a great sensation amongst all classes here, and Governor Garrett on visiting Mr Geordy's Villa to enquire alter his health "appeared deeply affected." So am I, and must therefore say—farewell !
-April 11, 1863. Bell’s Life In Sydney & Sporting Chronicle.
FLOODS ON THE DARLING AND WESTERN WATER COURSES.
(From the Empire's correspondent.)
Bourke, April 2 -For the last two months the Darling has been rising, but it was not expected to rise so high as it now is-from forty to fifty feet above its ordinary level-within two feet of the level of the township; indeed, there was some apprehension of it overflowing its banks last week, but it reached its highest point on the 28th March, since which time it has been falling - about six inches.
The news that has reached here from all directions is most distressing. On the Culgoa they have been obliged to move from several stations by boats. At Beamery, about forty miles up the Darling, they have also been driven out, the sheep being ferried across the back water on the left bank in a boat; and I hear that the store has been washed away, with a large quantity of foods. This is a large establishment belonging to Furlong and Rutherford, and no doubt they have lost seriously in sheep, and the loss of the store must be felt severely, as supplies are very scarce. The other stations, both up and down the river, are either driven out or surrounded with water, and all communication with them cut off.
The Darling was never known to be so high as it now is. Walgett and Brewanina are also surrounded with water. Our readers will be aware, I dare say, that this is not the effect of local rains, but from the heavy rainfall in Queensland, right from the ranges at the back of Rockhampton-the numerous rivers that empty themselves into the Darling. There must also have been very heavy rain between here and the coast range. The Castlereagh rose fourteen feet higher than was ever known; also the Macquarie and the Bogan. The latter river has overflown its banks, and flooded a large extent of country, so much so, that Bourke is surrounded by the back water from that river, so that travelling is out of the question, except on horseback. We have had but one mail down the Bogan for three weeks from the same cause; but it is somewhat remarkable that parties in pursuit of their private business can make their way, even with bullocks, whilst the mailmen cannot do their business on horseback. The reason is, I suppose, one has his private interests to promote, whilst the other loses nothing, but gains a few days or a week's rest from labour, under the plea of floods. For many miles on the right bank of the Darling the country is under water, excepting here and there trifling elevations are visible. One traveller from Wallgett says he saw mobs of cattle and horses standing leg deep in water at different places on his way down. This same person made his way down to Bourke, where he resides, with great difficulty. Knowing the country well, and taking advantage of occasional rising ground, he got opposite to Bourke, in company with a black boy, but they had to leave their horses about four miles up the river, and strip themselves, and by swimming from one elevation to another got within hailing distance of the township, when they cooeyed. When some of the residents arrived on the opposite bank he told them his condition-that he was naked and devoured by the mosquitoes. He swam from tree to tree, and then took the stream, which was very broad and rapid, and got safely over. This was last week. There have been several incidents of a somewhat similar character.
It is to be feared that we shall hear of loss of life when the flood subsides. There is a rumour that a young gentleman, respectably connected, has been drowned on the Warrego. It needs confirmation, and I sincerely hope it is only a rumour. There is much need of good boats, and I have no doubt after the experience the flock owners have had of this flood, that boats will become a part of each establishment-moored at all the townships at least. Boats, I have no doubt, will be provided by the Government. I have been told that the police magistrate intends to make a representation of the necessity of having a boat supplied to Bourke, and other places on the river, as the clumsy substitute in the shape of a log canoe is both dangerous and difficult to manage.
Inquest.-The Coroner (James Thomson, Esq.} held an inquest on Saturday, at the Governor Gipps Hotel, Louth Park Road, on the body of a male child, aged seven days, the illegitimate offspring of Mary Ann Wilson. The infant had been christened, and was named " George." The evidence of the mother went to show that the child was born on the 4th; she was at- tended by Mrs. Smith, a midwife, five minutes after the birth; for two days afterwards she thought he was very weekly ; he improved again until Friday morning, when he became worse, and jaundiced, but not so bad as to frighten her; he had the breast between three and four o'clock on Saturday morning, and at seven the same morning she found him dead. Dr. Scott attended after the death of the child, and was of opinion that the child was accidentally smothered by lying on his face, and being thus incapacitated from breathing. The Doctor, after careful inquiry, also believed that there was no blame attachable to the mother. The infant was of somewhat premature birth, and therefore more liable to the accident mentioned.
-Maitland Mercury, April 16, 1863
Bourke, April 3 -The correspondent of the Bathurst Free Press, writing to that journal remarks -I have just time to say that the Darling has risen about fifty feet above its ordinary level, and was at its highest last Friday. For the last four days it has been slowly falling, say two inches a day. The stock-owners must be serious sufferers by this flood, as a great many have had to move, and all communication has been cut off between the head and out stations. This is not only on the Darling but on the Eastern and Western rivers. The Warrego, Culgoa, Castlereagh, Namoi, Macquarie, Bogan, and the numerous small creeks and branches connected with them. The right bank of the Darling, opposite Bourke, for miles up and down, is covered with water. The Bogan having overflowed its banks, has thrown her backwater round the back of our township. Indeed, travellers either up or down have to go several miles inland to head the water, to get to the town. As might be expected, it has put an end to travelling, except on horseback, on urgent business. We have had only one mail from Canonba for three weeks. There is every chance of the steamers getting up now. I sincerely hope so, for we are out of everything. £10 a bag was given for flour last week, that by chance got into the town.
FORT BOURKE.
(From the Empire's Correspondent)
April 30.-As was anticipated and desired, our town has been visited by the steamer. On the evening of Friday the 24th, the quiet of the place was disturbed by the steamer's whistle-so they called it-and in a short time she made her appearance round the bend in the river below the town. We had heard about two hours before by a gentleman who had landed from her that morning at Gundabooka, that she was on the way, and that we might expect her on the following day sometime, but the Lady Daly-that is the name of the steamer-put in an appearance as above stated, proving her great speed. Gundabooka is forty miles by land, and fully three times that distance by water, besides which she stopped at Nulta Nulta, one of the company's stations, nearly an hour, and made this speed against a stream running, I should think, three miles an hour. By this visit we are secured against any lack of rations for a long time to come, the steamer having brought several tons of flour and a miscellaneous collection of goods for A. Ross and Co., our storekeepers, and some goods for the Bourke Hotel.
- Maitland Mercury, 25 April, 1863.
FORT BOURKE
(From the Empire's Correspondent,)
May 8.- I regret to say that our prospect of the visits from the steamer is becoming very faint indeed. The river is falling rapidly-this week eight feet ten inches; at this rate it will be at its ordinary level in under a fortnight. Its reduction in volume at the first was very slow, having such an immense area to drain of its back water, but now that it is within the ordinary banks, it is rapid. We are thankful for the one visit by the Lady Daley, she has relieved us of all apprehension for a time of being short of necessaries. We must now depend on the land conveyance for what is required the remainder of this year, if not for a longer period.
For the last six weeks we have had three mails by the Bogan, our main route for Sydney correspondence, instead of weekly. This has arisen from one of the mail- men going on the spree at Canonba, and afterwards bolting. The distance from Bourke to Canonba is 160 miles, and the mailmen pass each other on the road, so that instead of two men, for the time named, we have had but one-hence the delay
The Canonba postmaster is of that nondescript character occasionally met with in the colony, namely, a squatter-a large one-publican, storekeeper, and post- master: no neighbours to compete with him, so that he can set the Postmaster-General at defiance. He neither cares for us that grumble at the delays, nor for the authorities, or he would hire a man at the contractor's cost and send him when the regular one fails. What makes the matter so difficult to manage is that the contractor lives at Walgett, and weeks must pass before he becomes acquainted with the irregularities of his men. The great distance from Sydney operates in the same way, when the Postmaster-General has to take action.
- Maitland Mercury, 23 May, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From The Empire's Correspondent) I
May 28.-Since my last the river has fallen to within six feet of its ordinary level; therefore the prospect of a second visit from the steamer is out of the question. The Gundagai got up as far as Gundabooka, distant from here by the road forty miles, but could not with safety venture further, as there are several rocky shallows between there and Bourke. She, however, landed about thirty tons of goods, that will have to be brought up to Bourke by drays. Thus we are secured against any want of supplies for a long time to come; and if the storekeepers are prudent and take care to keep up the stock, we are secure. It is understood the Lady Daly will return as far as Tooralla, the head station of the Bogan River Company, to take the remainder of their wool down. It has been fortunate for all the stations on the Darling that the river rose ; by it they have all got supplied with stores, and got their wool away either to Melbourne or to Adelaide, thus swelling the exports of those parts with New South Wales products, and I have no doubt when comparisons are drawn as to the value of exports from the several colonies, the friends of the two named will willingly ignore these facts, not liking to give the much maligned parent country the benefit of that which she produces. It may be, when we are informed of the matters agreed to at the Intercolonial Conference, that returns will be furnished of the exports over the borders as well as duitable articles.
Information was sent to the police magistrate this week of the death of a man named Edward Farrell, by drowning, in Culgoa, on the 8th instant. The information is very scant as to particulars; but, as far as I can learn, Mr. Cruikshank and three of his men were in a boat on the Culgoa on the day named. From some cause or other the boat was upset. There was but one of the number that could swim, but three managed to get ashore. The current was very strong, and Farrell's body was not found till four days after. He leaves a wife and five children on the station, Cockerline.
For the last fortnight the weather has been very sultry, but a change took place on Tuesday evening, in a thunderstorm, with heavy rain of several hours' duration. Since then it has been much cooler-the thermometer today is 66, whereas on Tuesday it was 84. With the exception of a few very light showers about the middle of April, we have had no rain since the 6th of March. Whilst I write the weather is beautiful and clear.
A gentleman, Mr. Hamilton, a Queensland scab inspector, is now here fixing notices against sheep travelling into the adjoining colonies. A week ago 6000 sheep passed here down the Darling for Gundaboona, a station just come into the possession of Mr. J. T. Smith of Melbourne.
There is a rumour of a seizure being made by the police of a dray load of spirits, but the particulars have not transpired, nor has the drink arrived, but I believe it is on the way.
-Maitland Mercury, June 11, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From the Herald's Correspondent)
June 13.-Thursday last being the day set apart by the Government for the celebration of the marriage of the Prince of Wales, a few of the residents of the district, who were then in Bourke on business, determined not to be behind any of her Majesty's Subjects in other parts of the colony in a manifestation of their loyalty on such an occasion. They accordingly resolved to dine together. The dinner was prepared by the proprietor of the Bourke Hotel in his best style, and the spread was an excellent one, and would have done credit to many caterers at hotels of more pretensions. The gentlemen assembled enjoyed themselves as well, I daresay, as if they had been at the Royal, the appetites of some of them being quickened by the journeys they had had that day in coming to Bourke. The Police Magistrate presided. After full justice had been done to the edibles provided, and the tables cleared, the demonstrative part of the business was proceeded with. The usual etiquette was observed in the order of the toasts-" The Queen " " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Rose of Denmark," "The Governor, Sir John Young," &c The respective toasts were introduced in appropriate terms by the chairman. The party prolonged their sitting till near midnight, and then separated, having, by their meeting together to celebrate the auspicious event, proved, though cut off from the centres of civilisation, and residents in this remote corner of her Majesty's dominions, that their hearts beat with as true a pulse as any in the empire.
On the 29th ultimo three informations were laid before the bench against parties suspected of having scabby sheep - one a travelling flock, the others on stations on the Bogan. The bench appointed Mr. Hugh Cameron, a gentleman who has had a large experience in Victoria of sheep infected with scab, under the provisions of the Scab Act. I may here remark that Mr. Cameron has reported the travelling flock to be clean, but has not yet returned from the Bogan; but by two travellers we learn that one of the flocks he inspected has been declared scabby.
On the day above named, immediately after the business of the Court was concluded, the gentlemen interested in sheep properties determined to call a meeting of the sheep owners of the neighbourhood, to be held at Bourke on the 11th June - Thursday last. As several of the gentlemen invited had to come a considerable distance, it was late in the day when they arrived here, and as the dinner above reported was to came off at five o'clock it was determined to defer the holding of the meeting till the following day, which was accordingly done. The subject was discussed in its various bearings on the interests of the sheep owners in the district, and their deliberations resulted in memorialising the Government to appoint an inspector for the district. It was thought advisable, however, as several weeks must elapse, supposing the Government granted the request of the memorialists, before such an officer could reach the scene of his labours, that something more should be done. Various plans were suggested, but, eventually, the meeting determined to appoint a ranger, at their own cost, whose business it should be to travel through the district, and report any travelling sheep that might be entering or travelling through it. A numerous committee was appointed, to the members of which he was to report, when action was to be taken accordingly. Mr. R. M. Hughes was appointed chairman, to whom the ranger was to look for instructions in the discharge of his ordinary duties. The meeting agreed to a resolution pledging themselves to pay the cost connected with this appointment, and to indemnify Mr. Hughes in the current outlay to be assessed rateably among them according to their respective interests. The ranger was to receive a salary at the rate of £150 per year and the necessary horses; the first engagement to be for six months. William Smith, an active and intelligent man, who has recently been acting as a Constable under local authority, has received the appointment and entered upon his duties. The greatest unanimity prevailed in the meeting; and they were of opinion, as the danger was so imminent, the most energetic measures should be adopted to prevent its introduction into this new and hitherto clean country. An opinion was expressed that the Scab Act honestly worked was quite sufficient to arrest the progress of the evil, and eventually to extirpate it. Only let efficient inspectors be appointed, and the respective benches which may be set in motion by the sheep owners, or inspectors, enforce the provisions of the Act, and it will, I have no doubt, prove amply sufficient.
BOURKE
(From the Empire's Correspondent.)
JUNE 18.-About the middle of last month, one of the police of this place was executing a warrant in the neighbourhood of Brewanina (please to spell the native names correctly, for you sometimes make sad havoc in that respect), where he found a dray camped in the township, containing two hogsheads of rum, one having a tap in it to draw off the liquid for her Majesty's lieges as opportunity served ; the owner not having the fear of the Publicans' Act, or its penalties, before his eyes, thought to carry on a roaring trade. The policeman thought it right to stop the trade in rum, then and then, being carried on by Mr. William M'Kenzie, without due authority, and politely requested information as to how much rum was in the casks then on the dray. M'Kenzie said, " About 70 gallons." The policeman then asked, would he have the goodness to show him his license; but he declined compliance with such an impertinent request. But the functionary of the law was not to be done by his " soft sawder," but seized it in the Queen's name, and put the broad arrow upon the casks and the dray. There were some other articles on the dray at the time, but they were claimed by a hawker, then in his company - A few days ago the police magistrate and Mr. Baker, J.P., adjudicated in the case, by confiscating the rum and dray, and fining Mr. M'Kenzie fifty pounds ; or, in default, three months' imprisonment with hard labour.
THEFT.—An impudent theft was committed on Saturday last, but happily followed by a speedy arrest and summary disposal. A young man, rejoicing in the name of Edward Timothy Doran, made his appearance in the town about eight o'clock on the morning of Saturday, having left the Culgoa on the previous evening, with an order from one of the small nondescripts, half squatters, half bushmen, and waiters upon Providence, too common, I am sorry to say in that neighbourhood, to receive two gallons of rum from one of the publicans. He had a Warrego blackfellow with him. About one o'clock, Mr. Sly saw the blackfellow going towards the bank of the river with a saddle on his head. He called him back, and it was found to belong to Mr. Hughes. Upon looking among the saddles in the verandah, where several were laying, one was missing. Mr. Sly said that Mr. Doran, who was then standing on the bank of the river, had picked up an axe belonging to him (Mr. Sly), saying he had bought it at the store for 8s., and it was likely he had taken the saddle. Mr. Hughes, and the owner of the missing saddle walked towards the river. When Doran saw them coming, he bolted down the bank with the blackfellow, and they made away over with all the speed they could in the canoe belonging to the store- keeper. It is pulled over by a rope. Doran, in his hurry, fell overboard out of the canoe but got over safe, ran to his horses, and put the saddle on; and, on the black boy doing the same—there being no means of crossing after them—Mr. Hughes stripped at once and swam over. Mr. Hughes having gained the bank, ran to where Doran was with the horse. He was just in the act of putting his foot in the stirrup when he was collared; a struggle ensued, when Mr. Hughes finally threw him. In the meantime, one of the blacks of the town had brought the canoe back ; but before this Mr. Smith got across in a bark canoe that was lying on the bank to Mr. Hughes, and Doran was secured and brought across in bracelets ; in the course of the afternoon he was brought before the bench, when the above facts were elicited. But I ought to have observed that the missing saddle was found on the ground by Doran's horses; also a curry-comb that he had picked up, and an axe that belonged to a carpenter who was working on the bank. The curry-comb could not be sworn to, neither could it be proved how the axe got across the river; but there was no doubt he took them both. However, for the saddle he has got six months in Dubbo gaol with hard labour—but a few hours having elapsed between the commission of the offence and his punishment. Had he been satisfied he might have got off with one saddle; but he wanted two, and he was caught.
LOST IN THE BUSH.—The last two or three months we have had a peripatetic doctor in this district, of the name of Rodger, living sometime, I believe, in the neighbourhood of Maitland. About a fortnight since he left Collis's, on the Culgoa, to come to Bourke, coming down the westerly side of the river. He had not been that road before. His own account is, that in passing over the plain, between the Culgoa and the Warrego, he expected to strike the road leading to Bourke. He travelled till about midnight, when he alighted, took his swag containing his instruments, medicine, &c., and turned his horse out, intending in the morning to resume his journey. In the morning he went to look for his horse, but could not find it, nor could he find his way back to where his swag was. He wandered about without food or water for eight days, and on the evening of that day got to Collis's, from whence he had started, as might be expected, in a most wretched condition. He says he chewed grass, gum leaves, &c., and was reduced to such an extremity as to have drank his own urine. His horse has since been found, and diligent search is now being made for the swag. He has offered a reward of twenty-five pounds for its recovery. He speaks in the highest terms of the kindness of the Collis's towards him. He is a foreigner—a Norwegian, I think—but speaks pretty good English. He has been in Bourke, and had a new fit-out there. There had been several other parties lost for long periods in the country between the Darling and the Warrego.
STEAMERS.-As reported in my last, one steamer had got up as far as Gundabooka, and it was then thought the Lady Daly would make her second trip as far as Tooralie, but that has not been realised, as she only got to Mount Murchison, 240 miles from here. It is reported the tributaries are coming down, which I think must be the case, as the Darling is rising at Bourke the last few days.
WEATHER.-The weather has been very changeable the last few weeks; every two or three days we had rain, more or less. Yesterday afternoon it commenced raining, and continued nearly all night, and at the present time it is threatening. As a consequence, the roads are in a wretched condition, and travelling very difficult. The weather is much against the lambing, which is now very general throughout the district. If the wet should continue it will seriously affect the increase of the flocks.
-Maitland Herald, July 2, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From The Empire's Correspondent.)
June 24 -In my last I mentioned that proceedings had been instituted under the Scab Act; that the inspector was then at the Bogan. He has since returned, and reported that the scab prevails on several stations on that river, one flock, in all probability, will be destroyed in the course of the next week, as the owner admits they are diseased, and he has none, nor is he likely to have any of the specifics for effecting a cure, before the final issue of the certificate for their destruction.
There are several other flocks on the Bogan where they are busy dipping, and if they can effect a cure in the time allowed by the Act, they may save their flocks, but unless they can do this, they must be destroyed. Your readers must be aware the justices have no authority to suspend their action, when once set in motion, to allow time to try to effect a cure. The letter and spirit of the Act enforces the destruction of the diseased flocks.
I think it best not to mention the names of the owners of the infected flocks; but it is not the less true, and it is proper that it should be known, in order that every precaution may be taken to arrest its progress. The sheepowners of these districts are deeply interested in the question, and there can be no doubt that they will adopt the most stringent means that the law allows to keep it out of this hitherto clean country. I have nothing further of interest to communicate at present.
-Maitland Mercury, July 9, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From the Empire's Correspondent.)
JULY 3.—This week the court has had before it a case of much importance, and I have no doubt the issue will have a salutary influence on the community here. George Colliss, a resident on the Culgoa, was brought before the bench, charged with aiding and assisting a prisoner in escaping from custody, and was committed to take his trial for the offence. The substance of the case is as follows:—A man of the name of Doran, a desperate character, was sentenced by the bench to six months' imprisonment for stealing a saddle. A few days after he made his escape from the temporary lock-up, just at dark. Before this a letter had been sent from him to Colliss, in whose service he had been, for Colliss to send him his things and the money due to him, "as he had got into trouble at the Point" (Bourke). This letter was delivered to Colliss. When Doran got away, he made for where he had been working, drawing timber for sawyers, about twenty-five miles from here, and got a horse, and then made for Colliss', some twenty-five miles further. When the police in pursuit reached Colliss', Mrs. Colliss said Doran had been there, and her husband had paid him. On this Colliss was brought up, and committed, as above stated. As I have before stated, some of the residents about the Culgoa harbour the worst characters in the district: it is a complete nest of horse-stealers and duffers, and this Colliss is said to be one of the worst harbourers; but I think this action, on the part of the police, will put a check upon them for the future.
The Darling has risen considerably the last few weeks, and is still rising ; and, from the information we have received of the state of the tributaries of the Darling to the eastward, we are likely to have another flood here. This will enable the Steamer to ascend the river with additional supplies, as well as take the residue of wool down, of which there are still considerable quantities at stations on the river.
-Maitland Mercury, July 16, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From the Empire's Correspondent.)
July 22.-Public Meeting.-We have had a gathering of gentlemen favourable to the riverine agitation this last week at Bourke. The meeting was called by placard and circular, and was held in the Bourke Hotel. R. M. Hughes, Esq., J.P., presided. Resolutions were passed approving of the petition of the Riverine Council to the New South Wales Parliament; also one appointing a committee to collect subscriptions to forward the movement. The greatest unanimity prevailed in the meeting; at least there was but one dissenting voice- that one objecting that, by Deniliquin being the proposed capital of the Riverine district, it would be no benefit to the residents in this the northern portion of the proposed province. There appears to be some force in his objection, when it is known that Deniliquin is 700 miles, whilst Sydney is only 500 miles distant ; so that the supposed advantage of having a Supreme Court and other government offices connected with a vice-regal establishment would be small indeed. Ho also expressed some doubt as to the Darling being made navigable, and thought a railway, as proposed, through Mudgee down the Bogan, would be a more reliable affair. About the question of river navigation versus the railway, I think there can be little doubt that the railway is vastly preferable, as an outlay for public money, to expending it on the Darling, which, after all, would be an uncertainty. At all events, to canalise it would be an enormous costly affair, and liable from floods to serious interruptions. A considerable proportion of the commerce of the Darling is carried on through Melbourne and Adelaide now, but a railway would direct the business to Sydney as well as connecting the intermediate country with the capital. The promoters of the Riverine movement make out a pretty good case for redress, for they certainly labor under many disadvantages, principally, it strikes me, for the want of improved means of transit, for one of the speakers said at the meeting that the last year flour had cost £60 per ton; another said they had teams on the road for the last nine months, and not yet arrived at their destination. The enormous cost of carriage is a serious drawback, and operates as a bar to tho taking up any country but that on the frontage of the rivers. If they had improved means of transit, so that supplies could be received and produce sent down at a reasonable cost, immense tracts of country that are now unoccupied would be taken up. This I believe to be the great grievance; and perhaps they think by asking much they will get something handsome, though not all they profess to want, for they are certainly not very modest in their requirements.
Scab.-Considerable anxiety is manifested among the sheep-owners just now at this dreadful scourge, as several flocks are said to be diseased on tho Bogan-one small flock has already been destroyed on that river; but it is said there are from 40,000 to 50,000 more affected. They are now being inspected, and, probably, in a week or two I shall be in a position to speak more definitely on the subject. I have just heard that one flock of 6000 sheep has been pronounced scabby, and the usual notice sent to the owners, to the effect that unless they are prepared to prove the contrary in fourteen days, an order will be issued for their destruction. The sheep-owners down here say they never had so favorable a season for lambing as the present one. On one large station they have had 20,000 lambs dropped and expect 40,000 more. When you consider the large flock depastured in this neighbourhood, the anxiety about the scab need not be wandered at.
The River-The Darling has risen the last few weeks to upwards of twenty feet above its ordinary level, and is still slowly rising. If it continues a few weeks more the steamers may be expected up again.
-Maitland Mercury, August
BOURKE.
(From the Empire's Correspondent, Aug. 14)
Scab,-The most important matter in which the public are interested just at present in these districts is the scab in sheep. In my former communication I mentioned that the special scab inspector had gone up the Bogan with warrants to inspect three flocks, or rather sheep belonging to three owners. He returned this week and reported the whole to be scabby ; he also reported that one flock, about 6000, was now being destroyed. The flocks that he has just inspected number nearly 61,000. The necessary notices are to be served on the owners, as prescribed in the Act, immediately, which allows them fourteen days to lodge an objection to the inspector's certificate; failing to do so, a warrant for their destruction must issue. If this should take place, the number destroyed by the authority of the bench will be nearly 69,000. It must be admitted that will be a serious loss to the parties interested; and it is to be hoped for their sakes, and others in like circumstances, that the Legislature will increase the amount of compensation for sheep so destroyed, and the general opinion entertained by sheep owners in this neighbourhood is that this should be done, considering the fund is formed by their special contribution, it is difficult to understand what objections can be raised by the members of the Legislature. This is the opinion of those who own clean sheep, who are willing to aid their unfortunate brethren.
Lambing.-The lambing is very general down the river, and reported as highly satisfactory. A larger percentage is expected than has been known for many years, indeed, the season is most favorable- weather fine, and plenty of food for the ewes and lambs.
The River.-The river is still rising, and has now attained a height that brings it to within twelve feet of its highest state in the last flood. As a consequence the Billabongs are fast filling in, both above and below. The low ground on the right bank is covered, and in a few days access to Bourke from the westward will be cut off. There must have been a heavy and continuous fall of rain to the north and east, for all the tributaries are reported as bank-high and indeed the western rivers are said to be all flooded, and travelling difficult.
Mails.-From the frequent irregularities of our mail service some months ago, the post office authorities cancelled the contract, and the new contractor commenced on the Bogan line the first of the month, and it is to be hoped that he will make a better job of it than the last; and there is reason to believe that he will, as he lives at one end of the line and is said to have plenty of horses, at least his father has, and they are essential to regularity. The Walgett mail is very irregular; we have had but one the last eight or nine weeks. It is doubtless a bad road, as it crosses many of the tributaries of the Darling; this will be their excuse ; but by going more to the eastward and making some exertion, they might do the work, though perhaps not in the prescribed time. This mail is not of the same importance as the Bogan; all our Sydney correspondence coming by the latter, whilst the former bring from Maitland and the Northern portion of the colony. It is somewhat singular that although the contract for both routes was broken, on account of the irregularities of running, that the late contractor for the Bogan should have obtained the Walgett contract. There may be regulations that oblige the heads of departments to take the lowest tenders, but surely some attention ought to be paid to the way in which competitors have discharged their former obligations. It is now fourteen days since his contract commenced, but he has not put in an appearance at Bourke.
Steamers.-Letters have been received this week from Wentworth, stating that the whole of the steamers are engaged on the lower rivers; and it is doubtful if they can come up the Darling for some time to come. This is unfortunate, as the river is now so high. But I suppose it must be borne with the best grace we can put on, and be satisfied to be served after our betters, who reside in the centre of Riverine civilization-to wit, Deniliquin and neighbourhood. Modesty should always be recognised; and this quality is largely developed in the residents of that locality; therefore, as in duty bound, we silently submit to our fate.
-Maitland Mercury, August 27, 1863.
BOURKE.
From a correspondent of the Bathurst Free Press.
SCAB.-I stated in my last communication that there were on the Bogan several flocks affected with the scab. I have to supplement that statement by saying that the inspector has reported nearly 61,0OO as afflicted. Since then 6000 have been destroyed; the 61,000 are doomed to the same fate. At one of the stations they are shearing, and I believe have stated their intention of resisting by every means in their power the destruction of their flocks. We shall see what their persistence in this course will bring them to. It cannot be supposed that the Bourke bench can have any interest in straining the law, in order to destroy their or any other persons' sheep. They are simply the ministers of the law, and, having been set in motion by that law, their course is very plain; and no power, that I am aware of, can interfere in their action. The parties in question having shorn their sheep after they know they were diseased, and, indeed, after inspection, will place their claim to compensation in jeopardy. The Act provides that the sheep diseased may be shorn, skinned, and boiled down, but such shall have no compensation, and must be done within one month after they are known to be affected. How far one of these operations will affect their claim to compensation I cannot speak with certainty. It will be a question for the Minister for Lands to decide.
THE RIVER.-The Darling is now within about ten feet of the highest point attained in the last flood, and is still rising. There is a peculiarity in the Darling, I think, that few, if any of the other rivers of the colony have-namely, that its rise is not caused by rains on its banks, but by the rains to the westward of Coast Ranges to the north, as well as tho streams coming out of Queensland; and this accounts for the gradual rise it exhibits. For upwards of two months, if not three, the rise has been, and is now, about three inches a day. All the low lands, both above and below Bourke, and on the westerly banks, are being fast covered with water, and if it continues to rise for a few weeks longer, there will be serious interruptions to the public. To counterbalance this inconvenience we shall have the steamer up from the Murray-at least so it is expected.
Aug. 20.
(From the Empire's Correspondent.)
SEPT. 3. DEATH OF A CHINAMAN.-On the 25th ultimo, a Chinaman named Sam Thoto died at the Old Fort Motel. The P.M. held an inquiry touching his death on the following day, when the following facts were elicited- He had been some time in the district, employed mainly as a cook, but sometimes as a shepherd.
He came to Bourke about six weeks previously, complaining that he was unwell. He brought some money with him, and furnished himself with a good supply of clothing. He gradually got worse, and died on the day above named. He had a horse and equipment, and was said to be a very steady man, and spoken well of by those in whose employ he had been.
STEAMER-On the same day, the Gundagai, steamer, made her appearance at Bourke, and remained till the following day, when she left for Beamery, for which place she had some cargo. She is what is called a trading boat-that is, carries goods for sale-in fact, a floating store. As might be expected, being the first boat up since the Lady Daly in April last, her stores had been pretty well culled, but what she had was all taken by our one storekeeper. The cargo, at starting from the Goolwa, was about 200 tons. She reports having passed the Moolgewanke on her passage up, and we are expecting her daily.
WEATHER.-The weather has been dry and pleasant for some time, very little variation in the temperature, the thermometer ranging from 58 to 70 in the shade at two p.m. On the night of the 1st the weather broke, and we had a steady rain for about ten hours. We may say this is the first rain we have had for the last ten weeks-that is, in the neighbourhood of Bourke, Everything gives indication that there will be plenty of food for flocks.
The Moolgewanke made her appearance this morning with freight and stores, and left in the afternoon for Beamery. The river is now at a standstill, being within six feet of its former height.
Maitland Mercury, 19 September 1863.
BOURKE.
(From The Correspondent of The Western Post.)
According to promise, I send you a few echoes from the West. We are being blessed with one of the most favourable and unprecedented seasons in this part of the colony for many years. Mother earth is clothed luxuriantly with abundance of grass and herbage of every description, the plains and sand ridges presenting a really beautiful appearance, being brightly decked with flowers of many different varieties and colours.
LAMBING-The lambing is now pretty well over; the early lambings were not particularly good in their percentage, owing to the impoverished condition of the sheep after the drought. The late lambing, however, has been fair in the yield, and what deficiency there may have been in quantity has been amply made up in quality; throughout the district the lambs are very fine.
SHEARING-Shearing has commenced on the Warrego and other of the back creeks and rivers, but owing to the flooded state of the Darling, no shed on the frontage has yet commenced operations. Shearers are plentiful; doubtless the very high price being paid this year (5s. per score) draws them to the neighbourhood.
NAVIGATION.-The arrival of a steamer is no longer a novelty with us; there have been several up from Echuca and Adelaide lately, and Captain Johnson's boat passed up the other day en route to Walgett, which place she reached without any difficulty; she returns again in a few days, and intends waiting for wool. Two more steamers are expected at Bourke almost daily, though where they are to leave their loading is a mystery; everybody seems to have abundance of rations for the next eighteen months, and the stores of our very enter- prising caterers to the public wants, Messrs. Alexander Ross and Co., are full to overflowing; anything is to be had, from a needle to an anchor, except, I believe, writing paper, which is not looked upon as an indispensable necessary in this part of the world. Our fine river is at present very high, within three feet of the highest point attained during the last flood at the beginning of the year, and still rising; a few inches more and the country will be inundated. The river has been navigable ever since the end of January to the present time, with the exception of a few weeks; and it is the opinion of practical men that permanent navigation could be secured at no very great expense. This, I trust, will soon be attempted, and if successful, our supine, inert colony of New South Wales will lose the custom of this immense and rapidly increasing district; and, more than this, she will lose the business and custom also of the great centre of Australia, to which our noble river is the key. If the Mudgee people possessed a spark of that enterprise so necessary to the full development of such a rising district as their own, they would be up and doing in the matter of a cheap railway or tram to Fort Bourke. I fear, however, the good people of Mudgee are very easygoing, and in this matter blind to their own interests. Should they make any movement in the matter I am sure they will receive the cordial support of all in this part of the colony -October 7.
-Maitland Mercury, November 5, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From the Empire's correspondent.)
Oct. 24.-A Magisterial Inquest.-An inquiry was held today by the police magistrate on the remains of a man that were found by the police five miles to the eastward of Oxley's Table-land, when the following evidence was adduced :-John Rucker Medley deposed : I am acting sub-inspector of police at Bourke. About 10 a.m, on the 12th September last, coming through the scrub, about five miles to the eastward of Oxley's Table-land, in company with a black tracker, I discovered the remains of what I supposed to be a white man. I searched about for some clue to who he was, when I found one pair of trowsers, one blucher boot, one twill shirt, and the remains of a cabbage-tree hat. The trowsers were American duck, with a narrow blue stripe about half-an-inch apart. Tho boots were strong, with iron on the heels. I was engaged tracking police horses at the time; and on the first opportunity I had I sent constable Griffiths, with the tracker, to bring into Bourke the remains, with the clothes. I ought to have said there were also the remains of what appeared to be a red flannel or woollen shirt. From the appearance of the teeth, which were all sound with the exception of one, I should think he was a young man. I have no doubt he perished for the want of water during the drought of last year. I have not heard of any one being missed from this neighbourhood, excepting a carrier from the neighbourhood of Maitland, who disappeared from Gundabooka in the early part of 1862. I believe there are two men-one at Jandra, and one at Gundabooka who were acquainted with the man. The remains and articles of clothing now in the verandah of the Court- house I identify as those found in the scrub on the 12th September. (The inquiry was adjourned till five o'clock, when it was resumed.) Thomas Costello deposed: I am a carrier. I remember a man of the name of Henry Cooper, a carrier, who was at Tooralle in the early part of last year (1862), taking wool from that station to Maitland. He bad left Tooralle with his wool, but had occasion to return from Yanda on his way back after dark ; it was supposed he had missed his way, for he was not afterwards seen. I delivered his teams to his wife at Luskintyre, near Lochinvar. Í have seen the trousers, shirts, and boots said to be found with the human remains, near Oxley's Table-land. I cannot say that the trousers are like those he wore; but the Scotch twill shirt is like the one he wore. The boots are like those he wore ; they are not common boots in this neighbourhood, being very heavy-such as are worn by carriers and those who have to travel.
Henry Hooper was about thirty years of age. From the above evidence there is reason to believe the remains are those of Cooper. It appears that at the time named, Cooper and some others had taken wool from the Bogan River Company's Station, Tooralle, and when they had got as far on their road as Yanda, some twenty miles or so, Cooper found he had too heavy a load, and borrowed a horse from Mr. Stephen Hindle to go to Tooralle to get permission to leave a portion of his load at Yanda, which place (Tooralle) he reached in safety and was seen on his return by a man who is now settled in Bourke, and who was then camping between Gundabooka and Yanda. Cooper lit his pipe at the fire. It was then very dark. He was not seen by any one afterwards. The horse returned to the station to which it belonged. Diligent search was made for the man, but without avail. If my conjecture is correct that the remains found in the scrub near Oxley's are those of Cooper, he must have gone about thirty miles in a direct line from where he was last seen. At the time named in Mr. Medley's deposition, he and the black tracker were after some of the police horses that had strayed with some that had been sold by auction, a few days before. They were on the outer road-that is the road, and where the Bogan overflows, which is several miles from the river, when the road takes a sharp bend to avoid some scrub. They made a short cut across this scrub, when a dog they had with them started a paddy-melon; they followed it a few yards, when they saw the bones. The tracker said "White fellow’s bones." Mr. Medley describes the place as being a little open, and looking eastward an immense plain appears. Whoever the poor wanderer might have been, this would have been a disheartening sight; a burning sun above him, a dreary, dry, and boundless plain before him, nature exhausted, he lies down and dies. What gives additional weight to the conjecture that it was Cooper, is the fact that though diligent search was made, there was nothing in the shape of swag or blankets, which would be a part of an ordinary traveller's fit-out. Again, his boots, though called by Mr. Medley blucher boots, were in fact those strong laced boots, with hob-nails in the soles, that are usually found in boots worn by navvies and carters-not at all the boots worn by shepherds and men connected with stations either of sheep or cattle. It will be some consolation to his widow-and very likely through the medium of your columns she may hear of this-to know that his bones are now under the ground, and not bleaching on it. It just strikes me, as the trousers found are somewhat uncommon, she may be able to say if he had a pair like them; and I am sure any communication that may be addressed to the police magistrate at this place on the matter will be promptly attended to by that gentleman.
New Road to the Warrego-A few days since one of our publicans, in company with a gentleman that holds some country on the Warrego, left Bourke for the purpose of marking out a road to connect it with that place. After an absence of two days they returned, having accomplished their purpose. They described the country through which they passed as good for road purposes, but the drawback will be want of water in dry seasons. It is proposed to meet this deficiency, by the publicans and storekeeper, to have tanks dug and fenced in at given distances to meet the requirements of teams and travellers on horseback; but respecting the cattle class there could not be much difficulty, as the distance from the Darling to the point of junction on the Warrego will be something under forty miles. It is proposed, when the road is finally marked out, to have notice boards fixed as guide posts for travellers, naming the distance from water to water. In connection with this road, I may mention that the contract for the punt at Bourke has been taken, which, when complete, will bring all the Queensland traffic this way. I may observe that this road will shorten the distance some forty miles, the present one being by the Culgoa.
Disease In Cattle.-Some disease has attacked the working cattle of the township-one owner having lost six out of ten, but of what nature this disease none can tell. It may be pleuro-pneumonia, for what is known, but whatever it may be, such is the fact. There is a travelling herd within a few miles of the township, belonging to a Mr. Hale, of Lake Bathurst, for the last two months, of which herd it is said several had died ; but as this is not a cattle district, few persons take any interest in the matter. Anent the travelling stock, I may remark, that the person in charge has no definite point to travel for-no station to go to, hence the length of time he has been on the Bogan, and it would appear they are just professing to travel, eating up other people's grass. Fortunately for them there is not much of the country, for seventy or eighty miles up the Bogan, which has got any stock on it at present.
The Steamers and the River-The Darling still continues at a great height. For some four months it has been within six feet or seven feet of the height it attained in February last; but at the time I write, it has fallen two feet, and is still declining at the rate of two or three inches a-day ; but from some information received last week, it would appear that several of the rivers that contribute to the Darling are flooded, so that we may expect another rise. On the 24th September the Albury, steamer, reached Bourke, but as she was the fourth that we have had since April, she had not exhausted her cargo. A considerable quantity of goods were landed at Bourke, after which she proceeded upward, and went above Walgett. She returned on the 10th, and after replenishing her firewood, left downwards at 3 p.m. The captain of the Albury said he would be up again in seven or eight weeks, as he had agreed to take down wool from some upper station. She had one barge with her when here, leaving others down the liver. She expected to have a full loading of wool from the lower stations. We hear of more steamers being on the river, and I have no doubt that the exports of Victoria and Adelaide will be largely added to this year, as all the wool on the Darling will go that way, and then, forsooth, we shall be told that our production of wool is declining, and that of the neighbouring colonies are increasing-so the croakers will say. Much abused New South Wales has much to complain of in relation to the border trade, and some energetic steps ought to be taken to secure her rights from one, at least, of her neighbours, of whom it is no breach of charity to say they are dishonest. Victoria takes advantage of her position, and the inability of New South Wales, excepting at a great cost to establish border customs, to deprive her of what is demonstrably her due. However, an end must come to this state of things, and Victoria's unscrupulous Ministers will be taught that moral honesty is expected from statesmen as well as other members of the community,
The Weather.-The winter has been everything that could be desired-a moderate rain-fall, just sufficient to give to vegetation a start for the remainder of the year -a superabundance of feed for all kinds of stock in every direction. The thermometer has ranged from May to the end of September from 56 to 77 at 2 p.m. The hot weather has now set in, for the thermometer stands, while I write, at 94. This month it has ranged from 70 to that figure.
Maitland Mercury, November 12, 1863.
FORT BOURKE.
This week has been one of the busiest court weeks we have had since the birth of our infant settlement. What with civil and criminal actions our worthy magistrate, inspector, clerk and constables, have had exercise enough, and I hope it will be a long time ere their services to again required.
Tuesday, a case of assault was preferred by John Baker, of the Bogan, against Fred Burke, who was mulct in a fine of £2 and costs; but the plaintiff being a nervous man, and living in a lonely place, he chose to have him bound over to keep the peace for six months. Another charge was then put in, sueing Burke for the pasturage of horses on the plaintiff's run. This was thrown out by Mr. Garrett, owing to the informality of the information. Another summons was granted, and it will be tried on Thursday.
Some week or two ago, a saddle and bridle were stolen from a mare in the township, and the person suspected being interrogated. He denied, of course, all knowledge of them; at length, however, two horses disappeared, and at the peep of day Mr. Mealey (our inspector) mounted and was soon upon the scoundrels' tracks, and, after a chase of a hundred miles, succeeded in arresting them one of them comfortably seated upon the missing saddle. Their names are Lowry, and they are supposed to be relatives of the wretched man shot by Stephenson. They were brought in today (Thursday), and were committed on both offences.
Three cases of dishonored orders were also disposed of, drawn by Mr. Burns on his employer, Mr. C. Capp, who denied ever giving authority for their presentment. A verdict was given against the servant, who, by the bench's decision, is made liable for every order out.
The case of Baker's was brought to a close by the defendant having to pay a little less than a third of the sum sued for.
The weather is getting very hot, but, thank goodness, there is plenty of grass. Shearing has commenced, and a good clip is expected. The river is lowering, but we expect another steamer on the fourth of this month. Our working bullocks are dying from some cause to be discovered, but it is thought they took it from Hall's cattle, camped on the Bogan.
The Mudgee contractor has not made his appearance, and a number of people think him a myth. We shall see.
November8.
-Maitland Mercury, November 19, 1863.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE
To The Editor of the Maitland Mercury.
Sir-In answer to a letter, by Mr. David M. Jones, Walgett, dated October 3, I have a few remarks to make, which I trust may benefit himself and all those who think
'Tis pleasant sure to see one's name in print,
A book’s a book----“.
First, then as to the purpose of the letter, which to the most superficial must appear at a glance to be personal pique. This, unhappily, too often leads writers into the error of using terms more fitted for the bar of a public-house than the pages of a “widely circulated journal," as the one he makes his organ. Frivolous, scrawling, unprincipled, scribblers, untruthful, scurrilous, are terms not at all classical or becoming a gentleman; and I am sure the writer, after a moment's reflection, must own the truth of this. If the writers referred to in his epistle are the abominable set described they, of course, have no just reason to complain, and the inference is that the Walgett mails have been punctually and faithfully delivered at Bourke at their appointed times. But in the face of this we have the resistless truth that since the beginning of August- in fact, from the present contractor's engagement-only three mails have reached our office. Have these "frivolous" persons then complained without reason, or are they "unprincipled" and " scurrilous" in delivering their plain unvarnished tale ? Or has Major Christie, poor gentleman, been supine and easily imposed upon in believing a report unquestionably correct ? Our friend must place the standard of the Major's business capacity very low to imagine he has not the means to learn when a public document is scurrilous or not. That he has done so is apparent, or we should not be deploring the bad taste shown by the Walgett correspondent.
As to the geographical part of the letter, it is in part true ; but its chief features are high-strained metaphor and hyperbole. For instance, the terms " in- land sea," "isolated stations," "uninhabited wildernesses, ”drought," &c, &c, ad infinitum, remind us more of the Livingstone travels in Africa than our lonely Australian plain and bush land. However, drought has not kept back our letters, nor want of abundance of horse forage, so we will divest the journey of half its horrors. The lack of habitations on the road we think a decided advantage, as gossip is a rapacious devourer of time. The only thing, then, to overcome is the " inland sea" which means, in unromantic words, billabongs extended into the country. These we grant a great annoyance, and a fearful wasting of horses' strength; but they are all to be headed, or crossed by boat or canoe-incurring additional expense perhaps, but with that the receivers and senders of letters have nothing at all to do.
Every contractor knows the difficulties before him at the outset ; and if he blunders by miscalculation, or speculative rivalry, he must bear the reaction. He is not playing at blind man's bluff when he signs the contract: his eyes are open, he reads its requirements and penalties, and binds himself to meet them faithfully. Henceforth he is not his own master-he belongs to the public, and by the public he will be lauded or condemned, it is to be regretted that instead of finding fault with the Walgett mail route, and the injustice of fines imposed upon non-performance of duty, he had not pointed out to the postal authorities a better and less horrible road-a track, in fact, over which loaded bullock drays were taken by Mr. John Kelly, of Bourke, to and from Walgett, while her Majesty's mail was flying the signal of distress. In the hope of doing good we will humbly trace the line, which, if proclaimed a mail route during flood time, will end all trouble in the future. The proposed route is from Walgett to Gragen, thence to Wamerawa Creek (seldom swollen, and always crossable by canoe), from this point to the Mana-where a canoe at all times would insure a passage, from thence to the Bogan across which the Bogan mail has run without hindrance all winter. The distance of this road is 185 miles, making a difference of 15 miles over the old one. The route has been, as I said before, travelled in flood time by loaded drays, and cannot then offer any obstacle to the passing of horsemen. Trusting the Government will proclaim this a mail highway, not only for the benefit of the mail contractor, but the public in general. I have the honor, Sir, to be yours truly, OSCAR HUGAR.
-Maitland Mercury, December 5, 1863.
DISTRICT NEWS.
[from our own correspondent]
FORT BOURKE.
Since my last, apparent tranquillity has resumed her sway. Litigation seems taking a holiday during the fearful heat with which we have been blest of late. The Darling is again rising, and the tributaries (I hear) are bankers. But long ere this reaches you, we may, like the children of Israel at the Red Sea, be crossing dry shod, for the delicious punctuality of the Walgett mail condescends to visit us once a month or so. But we have one comfort left us, that of receiving arms-full of your journal at one time. Why this disgraceful state of things is allowed, we are not told, but something surely will be done to compel the contractors to fulfil their trust, or pass it into more competent hands. The mails from the Junction have been in a blissful state of stoppage for I can't tell how long, so you may imagine how well we are up in the affairs of every-day occurrence.
The two Lowries have been-after a safe lodgement in Bourke, (which, considering tho absence of all police conveniences, reflects great credit on those in charge) removed en route for Wellington, under escort of all our force, consisting of superintendent Medley, trooper Griffiths, and a sable native. Should any horse-fancier visit us now he can take his choice, and leave a broad trail too for that matter.
The Mudgee builder has not yet appeared, though we are continually looking across the plain-as did the doomed lady in " Bluebeard"-asking if anybody in his likeness " is a-coming."
The station belonging formerly to Mr. T. Smith has changed hands, and his cattle are now here, on their way to the Warrego. The new firm at Yanda, I hear, is Cobb and Co., from Victoria.
Hall's cattle are still here, but have been disposed of, I learned to-day. The buyer's name did not transpire. As I said before, the weather is very hot, 113 deg. in the shade, and the grass begins to wear the tawny dress of summer; but my townsmen have been wise, and have made hay in the sunshine. We have no less than six stacks of sweet splendid feed, so none need fear visiting Bourke on that score. We expect a steamer every day; there is a rumour that one has been swamped, but not much credence is given to it. This I send by the Bogan Mail, which runs with the regularity of a clock.
Nov. 19.
-From “ Maitland Mercury”, Thursday 3 December 1863
BOURKE.
At this moment it is blowing half a gale from the west, accompanied by dust and heat, and even that is preferable to the intense heat we have had of late. Summer seems to have set in in fiery earnestness, and our frontage is already getting bare. But this is not so much owing to the heat as to the presence of a herd of cattle, which have been camped within five miles of the town for many a month. Those 1000 head of cattle have been as destructive to the grass as a flight of locusts, and should they be allowed to remain much longer on the ground our own stock must suffer. It is high time a pound was granted us, for without such a check a town's reserve is merely mythical. Mr. T. Smith's mob were crossed last week, and are now on their road for the Warrego. The Darling is falling, and it is supposed will go down very rapidly. Randell's boat arrived last night, with the usual cargo of these conveyances- sugar, flour, Ac.-but not an item of what is so much needed, namely, potatoes, onions, carrots, or fruit. I assure you, Mr. Johns, who arrived from Sydney the other day, brought with him a few oranges, the rind of which was considered a delicacy. Would that some humane person reading this might be induced to start with a load of the things named-he would find a liberal and speedy market.
Mr. Medley, our inspector, has returned from his escorting duty, after delivering the Lowries safely at Cannonbar. This last act, in the capture of the guilty, and removing them from our vicinity, has greatly raised him in the estimation of all classes here, and were the same promptitude of action displayed in sections of more pretence than Bourke, we should soon be freed from the brutal violence that walks erect in other parts of the colony.
Business is pretty good, and, all things considered, we may be said to be flourishing.
The builder has not blessed us with his presence, and some of the timid begin to entertain the fear that the expedition has been lost.
An epidemic among the horses threatens to be troublesome, but as yet it is but slight'.
Excuse my writing on both sides of the paper; we have not a quire on the township.
November 26.
-Published ‘Maitland Mercury’, December 10, 1863.
BOURKE.
The weather still dry and hot. The river is subsiding rapidly, and should not the steamer arrive in a few days it will be stopped altogether. The vanguard of MacCauley's party, arrived the other day, but when operations are to commence we know not. The punt, 40 feet by 20, will be a great benefit; and when the large stores of Mr. Dowling (to be used as a depot) and the Government buildings are up, Bourke, I assure you, will be quite a respectable little township.
Pleuro-pneumonia has made its appearance at Mr. Rutherford's station on the Darling.
Another case of horse-stealing is reported, but the police horses are away, so the thief may escape ; and until there is a paddock for their use such occurrences will constantly take place by which the movements of the force are cramped and rascality flourishes.
A man came in the other day from the Warrego and reported a man lost. Mr. Medley despatched a tracker to the place where he was last seen, and happily he succeeded in finding him.
Our Bogan mailman, Mr. John Barns, an obliging and thorough postman, was fallen upon last week by a horse, and although much bruised and shaken no bone was broken. A similar accident occurred on Sunday to a poor fellow in Mr. Sly's employ. His girth-he had foolishly started with but one-broke, and falling upon a stump or a bottle his face was frightfully lacerated, and should he recover he will carry the scars to his grave.
The arrival of the Sydney mail has placed in our possession the removal of inspector Medley. This step may appear at headquarters in the road of improvement, but we cannot look upon it as such. We argue that an officer who has proved himself diligent, intellectual, and possessed of material which a successor cannot possibly have, with the good will of all classes, must be more successful in his duties than a stranger. However, Mr. Medley will take with him from Bourke the thanks and praises of all who have had intercourse with him either as an official or friend.
December 3.
-Maitland Mercury, December 17, 1863.
(To the Editor of the Maitland Mercury.)
Sir-I observed in a recent Issue of your journal an unjustifiable comment upon the manner in which the mall from Walgett to Fort Bourke has been conducted since I have held t (August 1, 1863). I do not intend to reply to the man "Oscar Hugar"-his position precluding the possibility of any weight being attached to his statements; but I wish to disabuse the minds of that portion of the public unacquainted with this character from any erroneous impressions they may have formed from his mis-statements.
I merely wish to state that, in flood time, this route is impassable, from the fact that the whole of the western waters empty themselves into the Darling sixty miles below Walgett. Upon reference to the Post Office map It can be easily seen that they take their sources from the Bathurst country, and are the vast natural drains for that district, and at their confluence with the Darling form a network of waters which are far easier to cross in the imaginary idea of an unreasonable man than they are in reality. In your correspondent's letter It is stated that the" Wommerwa Creek Is seldom swollen"-this is unquestionably a most untruthful assertion. This creek is the Lower Macquarie, and has been continually flooded (as your files will prove) these past ten months. Again, he states, " drays were driven to Bourke along this track; they were, last July, during a cessation of the floods, by the assistance of an unlimited supply of men, carrying boats with them, and going any route they wished to travel. But it must be borne in mind that other places have to be visited by a mailman upon the road besides the malarious and poverty-struck hole which rejoices in the possession of this would-be Demosthenes. I observe the distance is computed to be 185 miles. I beg to inform you that in flood time the circuit made is 240 miles; and I do not hesitate to state that in every instance where practicable every reasonable exertion has been made to ensure the delivery of the malls. Since the subsiding of the waters these past two months punctuality has been rigidly observed, although a circuit of 100 miles has been made every trip;-and yet these calumniators still continue their frivolous scrawling, gaining space in your columns by the manner in which they
"Distort the truth, accumulate the lie,
And pile the pyramid of calumny."
Kindly requesting space for this letter,
I am, sir, truly yours,
JOHN BROWN LUCE,
Mall Contractor. Cannonba, Bogan River.
-Maitland Mercury, December 24, 1863
BOURKE. (From The Empire's correspondent.)
Dec. 10 -Steamers.-The Moolgewanke arrived at Bourke on the 25th ultimo, and brought a large quantity of goods for Cox and Dowling, consisting of the usual station supplies, with timber, iron, and other materials for the erection of a store depot at Bourke for the above firm. On the 27th she left for some stations higher up the river, returned, and left downward on the 1st inst. She had one barge with her, and one below; she would load with wool from the Bogan River Company. The Albury arrived at 11 a.m. on the 7th, and discharged a quantity of goods for our storekeepers and the publicans, and left for Beamery (Furlong and Rutherford's) to take in wool. The Gundagai is expected in a few days.
River.-The Darling is rapidly falling, having gone down more than five feet the last week, and the fall is now equal to eighteen inches in twenty-four hours. At this rate the steamers must be away under a fortnight, or they will be prevented getting over the shallows.
Pleuro-Pneumonia,-In a former communication I stated that several head of working bullocks had been lost from some disease, the nature of which was not known. There is no doubt that it is pleuro-pneumonia, and the owners of stock in the town have been busy the last few days in inoculating their cattle, about 200 head, and I hear they have been doing the same at Beamery. Your readers will be aware we have no cattle stations in our immediate neighbourhood, but on all the stations they have pretty considerable herds for station purposes -that is for a supply of beef.
Police Business.-On Tuesday a special licensing meeting was held, for considering applications for publicans' licenses. The license of the Sportmans' Arms, Brewania, was transferred from Robert Kerrigan to William Kerrigan. The application of Mr John Wall, for a house at Brewanina, was refused on the ground that the house was not finished.
Bribing the Police -On Thursday John Wall appeared to answer an information filed by acting sub-inspector Medley, in which he was charged with having, at Brewarrine, presented him (Mr. Medley) with five pounds enclosed in a letter, with the obvious intention of getting him to represent his house in a favourable light to the bench at the licensing meeting. Wall pleaded guilty to the charge, and was fined £7 10s and costs of court, which amounts were paid.
WEATHER-The weather is very hot, but it has not been higher than 99 this month. On Tuesday we had a thunderstorm, with rain of about three hours duration. This is the first rain we have had since October. We had another thunder shower on Wednesday of short duration, Thursday, 10th.-This day we have the wind from north-west, and thermometer stands at 102.
The Albury is expected here tomorrow on her downward trip.
-Thursday, December 24, 1863.
No comments:
Post a Comment