BOURKE.
(From the Correspondent of the Bathurst Free Press)
First Fruits-The first wool from Queensland arrived in Bourke this week, from Major West's stations, on Yourah Creek. It consisted of some 40 or 50 bales in a one horse waggon, horse dray, and bullock teams. The waggon and dray will go on to Maitland ; the load of the team will be stored at Bourke for the steamer. Yesterday two other loads arrived belonging to other parties, which is also to be stored for the steamer. The last named loaded again with stores for the station. I have called the above the first fruits, as indicating the immense amount of traffic that is likely to centre in Bourke from the stations in the north; especially will this be the case when the Government punt is completed, as by this means the teams will be able to cross the river without unloading as they now have to do. This and all other loading cross by a small punt, the property of the store- keeper ; the horses and other beasts have to be swum across.
The river is again on the rise, having risen the last week about l8 inches. This is attributable to the rains to the eastward; at least, I presume so, as information has reached us that the Macquarie is bank high. If so the other tributaries will be furnishing their share.
We have had no Sydney mail this week, arising I believe from a break between Bathurst and Sydney, as we have received your issues, as well as others in your neighbourhood, which would appear to confirm this view of the case. It would appear that the lower Darling is now experiencing the effects of the flood that affected us two months ago, as the Mount Murchison mail man returned this week, being unable to reach that place for water.
The weather is very fine, but we find it very cold at nights and mornings. This may appear strange when I tell you the thermometer ranges at noon-day from 58 to 64, which would be thought a summer heat at some places; but when you remember what our summer heats are-from 100 to 112-there need be no surprise.
I am happy in being in a position to say that one great want has been supplied in the person of Dr. Pechey, who has taken up his residence among us. In connection with this event, or kindred to it, I may observe that the building for our hospital is about to be commenced. A meeting of the committee was held last week, when six out of eleven members were present. A site was fixed upon in one of the suburban lots of ten acres, which, to save the time that would otherwise be lost in obtaining it as a grant from Government, it was determined to purchase, which has been done by the secretary. The plan and specifications have been approved of, and tenders are to be immediately called for, and in six months we hope to have the hospital in full operation. Somewhere about £300 has been subscribed for the building, which, with the £300 voted by the Assembly, will enable us to complete the structure.
June 23, 1864.
-Maitland Mercury, July 9, 1864.
BOURKE.
(From The Empire's Correspondent.)
The River.-The Darling is fast rising, having risen some twelve foot the last fortnight-rising now nearly a foot a day. We earnestly hope that it will not continue long at this rate, for if it does our public works will be again suspended.
Hospital -A meeting of the hospital committee took place a week or two ago, when a site for the building was determined upon. The site is one of the suburban farms of ten acres about half a mile from the town. This land being open for selection, it was thought best to buy it at once, than lose time in correspondence with the Government in getting a grant of it. The plan of the building being decided upon, tenders are now invited for its erection, and as the Assembly voted £300 on the usual condition, it is thought the building may be completed for the amount-namely, £600; but, if more is required, we shall have no difficulty in getting it. In connection with the hospital I may mention that Dr. Peechey has taken up his residence amongst us, the knowledge of which in itself, is a relief to us, knowing where surgical and medical assistance can be obtained, if required.
Weather -The weather is very fine, cool nights, and frequently frosty mornings. Thermometer varying, at mid-day, from 50 to 60 degrees.
-Maitland Mercury, July 14, 1864.
BOURKE.
The river is again rising, and from accounts from the Culgoa, Namoi, and other rivers, we may expect another flood.
A steamer is daily expected.
The weather is beautifully fine, and the ravages of the last inundation are nearly effaced.
Yesterday, before Mr. Garrett (the police magistrate); and Messrs. Foott and Dowling, three or four cases were settled at the police court. Mr. John Cruickshank was summoned by William Busteed, for wages due him as a shepherd, but withheld by defendant on a plea of neglect of duty on the part of plaintiff. There was a good deal of discussion relative to the issue of the event, but the magistrate decided in favour of the plaintiff, it not being (as the law is administered) legal to withhold wages on such grounds. Mr. Cruickshank then placed Busteed before the bench, charging him with neglect of duty, in that he did desert his flock during the last flood. It was clearly shown that the plaintiff had no right to expect a servant to place his life in peril, in imminent peril, even to save his master's property. This was a case which bore hard upon tho squatting interest, and not without some real hard argument and proofs on the part of Mr. Garrett, was the case dismissed. Another of a similar character was likewise disposed of ; but in this case a woman and child, the shepherd's family, were concerned. The poor people kept by the sheep until the waters drove them away, and then in going to the home station they were lost, and for fourteen days they lived entirely on pigweed. One would imagine this was suffering sufficient without the assistance of a police court, but such is the difference of men's opinions.
The Government works are going on painfully slow, business generally is brisk. Our population is weekly increasing, and ere long I hope Bourke will arrive at a point of importance.
From the Warrego there is no news of floods; and the cattle, save those belonging to one owner are getting over the disease, at least inoculation has checked it thoroughly. Those were not submitted to that operation, and are being shot by order of the Queensland inspector. July 8.
-Maitland Mercury, July 19, 1864.
BOURKE.
Since my last there is little of importance to communicate. The river is rising; but from news up the river, we have no fear of another flood.
There has been no steamer here since the Albury ; but one is daily, I may say hourly, expected.
I am sorry to say that the "tank movement," agitated by Vincent Dowling, Esq , has fallen through, owing to the apathy of the Warrego settlers. The motto of these gentlemen seem to be "the hour," not the future. This mistake has been, and is, the curse of all the colonies. Enterprise and speculation seem unknown to most of our people, and until this state of things is changed we shall remain in the torpid condition we have been for years.
From the Warrego news comes in of the fatal scourge, and there seems little doubt that sheep will now be the sole staple of this district.
Lambing has commenced, and promises well. Shearing will begin about the middle of September.
July 11.
-Maitland Mercury, July 26, 1864.
BOURKE.
The river is again falling, and the weather delightfully fine. We have been expecting a steamer now for weeks. What on earth can be detaining it is strange, and most annoying.
There have been no cases before the bench since my last, and general activity pervades our little township. Houses are going up and in contemplation. The tenders for erecting the hospital were opened last week, and the one accepted was that of Mr. John Kelly, who is under obligations to have it finished in six months.
I forgot to state that the remains of a man were found some distance up the river. They were brought into the town by constable Hawthorne; but as there was no sort of evidence to point to the manner of his death, he was interred by order of Mr. Garrett. It is generally believed that he had been overtaken by the great flood, surrounded, and, being unable to swim, perished by hunger. The Warrego mailman brings no news of importance; but it seems now pretty certain that the lower parts of the river will be occupied by sheep. Mr. Tom Smith is bringing them to his run, and most of the squatters will do the name.
Our cricket club is progressing, H.Bobart being the leading spirit. He is really a good bowler, and I have no doubt will make a fine player if he will only work.
Our up-mails come in very regularly, but the Mount Murchison line is stopped by the flood.
Bourke, July 22.
-Maitland Mercury, August 4, 1864.
BOURKE.
The river is again low in its banks, and, although the Macquarie, Narran, and other streams above us, are swollen, we do not anticipate any other rise in the Darling. The Bogan steamer, Captain Randal, arrived late on Saturday, and has proceeded up to the Fishery. The weather is deliciously fine, with no sign of rain. A mob of store cattle passed the township a day or two ago, en route to Mr. Suttor's; and a large number of sheep are soon to arrive at Cruikshank's for the shearing.
I am sorry to inform you that an occurrence, which might have terminated the life of two men, took place a mile or so above Fort Bourke, on Tuesday last. Messrs. Jones and Burns, the obliging and persevering mailmen from Cannonbar and Walgett, started from our post-office for the above-mentioned place with the bags, determined, if possible, to perform their duty. On their road thither a generous individual assured them there was no water to impede their progress to Fort Bourke, and, arriving at a billabong which must be crossed, they rode their horses in until they found them all but swimming, and, returning to the shore, they placed the mail in an old canoe, and commenced paddling across-a distance l am informed of some 150 yards. When in the centre of this, the canoe, to use Jones' expression, "broke clean in halves, and went down like a shot." Each man seized, by instinct as it were, upon his own mail, and luckily for all parties, both reached the opposite side in safety, where they had to camp, without fire, food or blankets, until the next day. It is a great pity there is no way of punishing fellows, who, out of the pure love of lie-telling, lead those astray who trust to their guidance.
I hear that the Mount Murchison mail has been fined £10 for not going into some out-of-the-way place, below where it is a well-known fact that, up to only a few days past, the same place was surrounded by deep and wide waters. The difficulties to be overcome by the contractor I should imagine quite sufficient, without burdening him with a sort of income tax. I know that on the last down trip the mailman went out from the river fifty miles in order to reach his destination ; and, in the face of all this, he is fined in that he did not call at an isolated station on the way.
Another sad accident occurred at Sly's last night, through that villainous love of " larking," so prevalent with men in the bush. A party were together in front of the bar, when wrestling became the attraction of the moment, and a fine young fellow falling upon the floor had his leg broken below the knee. Dr. Peechy was at once sent for, who promptly attended, and I am thankful to say the patient is doing well.
In reference to the letter sent you by Mr. Vincent Dowling, dated Warpuelar and Fort Bourke, May 1st, I have a few words to say. Warpuelar is a station on the Irara, seventy or eighty miles from Bourke, out of the reach of direct traffic, and it is very possible that a letter might be there till doomsday unless sent in for postage; but from the manner of the dating it is hard to find out what the writer means to convey. Now, sir, I can inform you that the letter you published and commented on, was written, not at Fort Bourke or Warpuelar, but at Bourke, somewhere about June 23rd, 1864, and which reached you on the 10th of July. You will see that little time was wasted in the transporting; and, in justice to the inland mails, which have been wrongfully accused of delay, I have mentioned the facts of the case. Of the reported death of Mr. Dowling by the blacks, it arose from a shepherd (in the employ of Thom, I think,) named Dowling, falling by the hands of the natives. I have nothing more to say relative to the epistle, only I sincerely trust the writer may never find that he has over- estimated the fidelity of the Paroo natives.
July 29.
B0URKE.
During the past two days we have been threatened with rain, in the shape of occasional monitory falls of mist; but to-day all is as bright as ever.
We are expecting the Albury up daily, and when she arrives we shall be abundantly supplied with all the necessaries, and many of the elegancies of life.
Our little township is still improving, both as regards population and buildings. We have now a daily school, which is presided over by Miss Garrett, and is a great blessing both to the children and their parents. The absence of those institutions in the early days of the colony is telling plainly enough now. There is a very good opening here for a good boot-maker, should any man feel disposed to try his fortune. I am certain he would succeed, provided he be a good workman and steady.
There is a good deal of talk of another flood; but to take notice of travellers' yarns is like blowing against the wind : the river is, however, on the rise, though very slowly.
The match for £100, between Mr. George Collins' horse New Chum and Mr. John Foott's horse Skipper, will come off on the Culgoa the 8th of next month. It is a three mile race, and as both horses are stickers a deal of interest is felt in the result. Of course Skipper, being a Bourke horse, is the favorite, and if he does not win it will surprise me.
Bourke, Aug. 6.
-Maitland Mercury, August 16, 1864.
BOURKE.
The river is still rising, and from accounts above we are to have another flood. The rain is again threatening. No steamer or mail from Mount Murchison, but this is not to be expected, for the lower parts of the Darling are deeply flooded.
On Tuesday next, the Scab Committee meet to appoint an inspector. There are several applicants-some of them well qualified to fill the office, and others vice versa. We hope a wise choice will be made.
A man was placed before Messrs. J. Garrett and Vincent Dowling, J.'s P., charged with being taken from a black's camp, at the back of Becker's store. It was a first offence, and the delinquent was sentenced to fourteen days in the look-up, his time to be, we suppose, given to the embellishment of the township. Mr. Dowling very justly remarked from the bench that it was a great pity that something could not be done to remove the temptation from drunken and inflamed men, for at almost every corner and turn of Bourke are camps of gins and their friends, and, at daylight and dark, their drunken orgies disturb the town from its propriety. This, coupled with the yelping and rushing of scores of dogs, make up a very nice opera. The police regulations are now here, and we trust that something will be done to rid us of this nuisance.
Yesterday, we had a couple of races on the course, which the Bourke horses succeeded in winning. After this, Mr. Charles Newton had a spin of 50 yards with Mr. J. E, Kelly, Newton giving Kelly five yards start. They both got well off, and, by a tremendous effort, about half way, Kelly came in winner by a couple of foot.
Bourke, 10th August.
-Maitland Mercury, August 30.
BOURKE.
(From the Empire's correspondent.)
New Country.-A few weeks ago two gentlemen, namely, Messrs. Duffy and O'Brien, with surveyors and staff, arrived at Gundabooka, on the Darling, having crossed over from the Lachlan. From what I can learn they left Bendigo in June, and arrived at Gundabooka the end of July, so that they have made a pretty good journey over this country-that is, between the Lachlan and Darling-which has been rarely attempted before. The great difficulty has always been the want of water, but l am told this party always succeeded in getting water daily. Report says they have applied for, and intend to occupy, about 1000 square miles of this country, and their surveyors are to mark out this block, I presume, for the purpose of stocking it with sheep. The Mr. Duffy above named is a son of Gavin Duffy, the Minister for Lands in Victoria, and Mr. O'Brien is a son of another public man in the same colony. It would appear from this, as well as other instances of Victorian capitalists taking up squatting country in this colony, that they have a bettor opinion of our land laws than is usually entertained by the grumblers among us.
Sheep Inspector.-A meeting of directors of the scab district of Fort Bourke took place yesterday, by adjournment, to consider the applications of those who were disposed to take upon themselves the duties of sheep inspector. I am told that about a dozen applicants had responded to the advertisement. Mr. Horsfall, who has been the manager of Robertson, Rutherford, and Co.'s station at Yanda, was nominated to the office. I have no doubt the choice of the directors will give satisfaction to the sheep owners of the district, as Mr. Horsfall is a man of very great experience, having been a sheep owner in Victoria when there were none but diseased sheep in the colony, and reputed to be well up in all that concerns sheep and their diseases. When the appointment is gazetted he will enter upon his duties.
Darling.-In my last I stated that the Darling was at a stand at thirty-one feet six inches on the gauges. It since went down ten feet, but is again on the rise, being now upwards of twenty-eight feet, and still rising.
Weather.-The weather has been very unsettled this week. It commenced raining on Saturday, and continued with intermissions until midday on Tuesday. It was a light fall. With the exception of a few showers, this is the first rain we have had since the middle of April. It is now clear, bracing weather, the thermometer ranging from 54 to 60 decrees.
Buildings.-We have several new buildings in the course of erection.
Mails -We have had no Sydney mail this week, via Bathurst, owing, I suppose, to the rise of the rivers to the eastward. This is our principal mail, that by Walgett being every other week.
-Maitland Mercury, September 1, 1864.
BOURKE.
I cannot say when this will reach, for our mails are with one exception, at a stand-that from the Warrego. This is attributable to the floods, now so high on the upper parts of the Darling. The Bogan mail, usually so very punctual, has not arrived; and the one from Walgett seems to have stopped altogether. The river here is high, but not rising ; but from accounts above we may expect an increase of water. The Albury has not made her appearance, and heaven only knows when she will; her punctuality is really alarming.
The 7th and 8th instant were delightfully wet, and the result is that we are surrounded with the most gloriously fine pasturage-Kelly, in fact, is now mowing wild oats two to three feet high.
The scab directors for this district met on the 10th, and from quite a goodly number of applicants Mr. James Horsfall, a gentleman of large experience, was selected, and his appointment has given universal satisfaction. I am sorry to inform you that the cattle above us are still dying, in spite of inoculation.
Our town improvements are still going on, and I can safely say that Ross and Becker’s stores, both for elegance, usefulness, and extent, are equalled by few (if any) in the bush. The Government works are progressing about as dull as a game of "beg of my neighbour;" but we are, taking all in all, pretty busy and jolly.
The whole of our police force are on an excursion up the Warrego, where there are several gentlemen whose presence is wanted elsewhere.
I was at Brewarrina last week, and from the number of horses in training (some really well-bred ones among them), there ought to be excellent races to come off the 6th and 7th of September. The result I will send you if possible.
Shearing will commence on the first of next month.
Nothing from Mount Murchison, and the news from the Warrego unimportant.
The down the river mail has just arrived, and brings news of the steamer; she is expected here about Monday.
Bourke, August 26.
-Maitland Mercury, September 20, 1863.
BOURKE.
(From the Empire's correspondent.)
STEAMER.-The Albury steamer arrived at Bourke on the 3rd instant from Goolwa, with a barge in tow, and landed a large quantity of goods for our storekeepers and publicans. On Monday morning she left upwards for Bemery station with shearing supplies, and returned to day, and will leave tomorrow morning to take in wool from Josephson's and other stations lower down, who are shearing early. From the state of the river, it is probable that all the wool will go to South Australia or Victoria this year.
THE RIVER -The Darling is now thirty-six feet above its ordinary level, and still rising at the rate of three inches a day. This is from the heavy rain that the papers report as having fallen to the east and north east of the Darling. As I have in my former communications observed, this river is very gradual in its rise, owing to its numerous and distant tributaries, so that we are wholly influenced by the rainfall in distant parts. At present the greatest drawback from its rise is the stoppage in our public buildings, owing to knocking off work by the sawyers, as all the good timber is found on the lower banks of the river. Our court-house, that ought to have been finished some months since, is still incomplete, to our great inconvenience and loss of the contractor.
Mails.-We had quite a plethora of news this week, having received four weeks' papers which were behind, owing, it is said, to the rise of water in the Bogan; but I should think, mainly from the indifference of the mail contractor. However, he has had one or two lessons lately, for I am told he was fined £43 last quarter, and last week our postmaster sent a special mail from here to Canonba, at a cost of £10, and if this does not bring him up to the mark nothing will.
Bathurst Assizes -You are aware that James Stewart who stands committed, on the charge of murdering Charles Varduhn in February last, is to be tried at Bathurst next month. It was postponed last court, as the flood prevented some of the witnesses reaching Bathurst. There are, I am told, twelve witnesses for the Crown, who have been served with notices on behalf of the accused. Several of them passed through last week, and more are on the move.
Weather.-The weather here is very fine and pleasant as the winter always is, but it is getting rather warm, the thermometer standing today at 84; this is the highest since April. We had some light rain for two or three days about a fortnight since, but nothing to speak of.
September 8th.
-Maitland Mercury.
BOURKE.
I should have written last week, but from some cause or other was kept on the opposite side of the river until the post had started. The river is now going down fast, and many men who have been driven from their work will soon resume labor. The steamer Albury started downward last week, taking as a passenger Mr. A. Ross, formerly one of the proprietors of the extensive firm known as Ross and Co, Bourke. The present firm consists of Becker, Green, and Bardwell, all men of splendid business capacity, and who will without doubt place Bourke in a position to meet all the increasing wants of the wide districts lying north. Another steamer is daily expected.
We had a little rain on Thursday, which has done much good to our gardens. The weather now is fine and cool. Lambing is going on up the Warrego, and a very high percentage is being obtained. Shearing also, at many places, has begun.
At the police court, last week, four men were fined for furious riding within the town limits; and a crusade against pigs, &c., has begun. This is quite right ; they are a great pest, and destroy a deal of property in the neighbours' tents. Some people imagine this course arbitrary on the part of Government officers; but, as it is law, they but do their duty.
The troopers have returned from their famous trip up the Warrego, as was anticipated, minus prisoners. Report has come down from the Culgoa that Jemmy Quinn, formerly tracker in our force, has been brutally murdered by the blacks. Whether anything by way of investigation will follow remains to be seen. The body of a man was found dead upon the run of Richardson Brothers, Bogan River, and upon news reaching Bourke trooper Brown was despatched to the spot. On searching the deceased a paper was found, on which was written, "Died by my own hand-drowned." This led the officer to suspect foul play might have been mixed in the case, and returning to Bourke, Mr. Garrett, P.M , with Dr. Pechey, proceeded to the body, when a post mortem examination was held, but owing to the advanced stage of decomposition the doctor could not positively state the cause of death, but to the best of his opinion it was apoplexy. Tho deceased's name was Joseph Adams, formerly in the employ of Mr. James Foott, Jandra.
The annual races at Brewarrina came off on the 6th and 7th instant, and some fine sport was enjoyed, though the attendance, owing to the flooded state of the country, was not as numerous as could be desired. However, everyone seemed determined to enjoy himself, and such he did. Mr. William Kerrigan, of the Sportsman's Arms, acted the host to perfection, while his good lady by her naturally kind heart made everybody feel perfectly at home. I should like to give you a full detail of the events, but it would make my letter too long. I send the names of the horses which ran, with their relative positions.
First Day, Tuesday, 6th September.
First Race; The Maiden Plate of £30, for all horses that have never won an advertised prize, with a sweep of £3 each for the second horse; weight for age; one and a half mile, one event.
Mr. John Kerrigan's b.c. Little Plover, 3 yrs (Shaw) 1
B. Bryde's g.g. Who'd-a-thought-lt, 5 yrs 2
- A. C. Doyle's br.g. Sportsman, 5 yrs 3
Second Race. -The Publicans' Purse of £25, for all horses, weight for age, with a sweep of £2 10s. each for the second horse ; one and a half mile, one event.
Mr. B. Bryde's g g Who’d-A-Thought—lt 5 yrs (Morrison) 1
B. Bryde's br.m. Flying Kate, aged 2
D. Dodd's g.g. Let-Me-Alone, aged 3
Before starting, Mr. Bryde declared to win with Who'd-a-thought-it, which he did in capital style.
Third Race.-The Ladies’ Purse of £15, for all horses, weight for age, with a sweep of £1 each for the second horse; one mile and a distance, heats.
Mr. D. Dodd's g.g. Let-me-alone, aged. (Morrison) 1
A. C Doyle's br.g. Sportsman 5 yrs 2
John Kerrigan’s blk.g Bottler, 3 yrs 3
SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY.
First Race.-The Brewarrina Town Plate of £30, for all horses, to be handicapped by the stewards or whom they may appoint, with a sweep of £3 each for the second horse; two miles; one event.
Mr. John Kerrigan's b.c. Little Plover, 3 yrs., 8st. (Shaw) 1
D. Dodd’s g.g. Let-me-alone, aged. 9 st. 101b. 2
A. C. Doyle's br.g. Sportsman, 5 yrs., 9st. 3
Second Race.-The Squatters Purse of £20, for all horses, weight for age, with a sweep of £2 each for second horse ; one-mile heats.
Mr. John Kerrigan's blk.g. Bottler, 3 yrs (Brown) 1
D. Dodd's b.g, Telegram, 4 yrs. 2
B Bryde's g.g. Who’d-a-thought-lt. Dis.
Third Race: The Forced Handicap, a sweep of £2 each from all winners; to be handicapped by the stewards; two miles; one event.
Mr. B. Bryde's Who'd-a-thought-it walked over.
Bourke, Sept. 25th.
-Maitland Mercury, October 13, 1864.
BOURKE.
( From the Empire’s correspondent))
October 13.-Stabbing with Intent.-On Friday, information was brought to Bourke, by a special messenger, that a man of the name of William Williams had been stabbed at Brewarrina, by John Clancy. In the course of half an hour constable Brown started for Brewarrina, which is seventy miles from Bourke, to ascertain the facts of the case, and arrest the accused party. On Monday he returned with Clancy in custody ; later in the day, three of the witnesses arrived. On Tuesday, the case was gone into before the police magistrate. The substance of the evidence was as follows :-
Williams, the wounded man, Clancy, and a mate of Williams', named John Goode, were together at Wall's public-house, and some dispute took place about a bet. This dispute continued the whole day, and Williams, it would appear, struck Clancy several times, but eventually in a struggle Clancy used a pocket-knife, and cut Williams in the loins. Clancy walked away, when Wall's wife noticed the knife in his hand, upon which she said to her husband, " That man has either cut himself or Williams, for his knife has blood upon it." When Wall examined Williams, and found the wound as above named, Dr. Peechey was sent for to Brewarrina. Clancy was remanded, to wait for the evidence of Williams, who, it is expected, will be able to travel in the course of a week or so. The wound is not a dangerous one.
Shooting with Intent, &c- On Monday, a teamster was arrested by constable Brown, for shooting James Cumming on the other side of the river, about three miles above Bourke. This case was heard before the police magistrate on Tuesday, when the following facts were elicited :-Smart has a team of his own, and lately brought down wool from Cox and Dowling's stations on the Naree. Cummings is the driver of a team belonging to those gentlemen. These teams and others were loaded with stores for the station. It would appear that about a fortnight before Smart and Cummings had had a quarrel. On the day in question Smart had been to Bourke and had got some drink, and returned to where Cummings was camped. Cummings was lying under a tree, when some of his mates cried out to him, " Here's Smart coming with a loaded gun." Cummings got up, and asked Smart what he was going to do with the gun, when Smart said, "Go down on your knees and ask my pardon or I will drill a hole through you." Cummings declined to obey this order, when Smart fired; the shot with which the gun was loaded tore the front of Cummings' Crimean shirt, and some of the shot entered his right arm. Cummings fell, and when he got up, Smart was presenting the other barrel of the gun at him, saying "I have not done with you yet, I have a ball here for you." Cummings dodged behind a tree, and Smart eventually fired the gun in the air. Smart is well known in Bourke, having been carrying in the neighbourhood since the establishment of the township, and always considered a very violent man when under the influence of drink. He was committed to take his trial at the Wellington
sessions.
River -The Darling is now very low at Bourke, not more than seven feet from its summer level; therefore all hopes of the steamer reaching here are at an end for the present. There is a large quantity of wool ready for shipment.
-Maitland Mercury, October 27, 1864.
BOURKE.
That Bourke is growing notorious cannot be gainsaid, but of the notoriety we can but say that shame and sorrow cause us to cover our heads. The culprits who went from this place charged with murder, robbery, and other horrible sins, were scarcely clear of the place, when the vacant chain was again bound upon guilty wrists.
Information reached Bourke that at Brewarrina a case of stabbing had occurred, and trooper Brown was at once dispatched by Mr. Garrett ; the doctor (Mr. Pechey) was absent at the time, but on his arrival he at once started (a distance of 70 miles) to attend the wounded man. In due course the prisoner was in safe custody at Bourke; and the injured man, named William Williams, was pronounced out of danger. On the same night information came from across the river that another attack had been made upon a bullock driver belonging to Mr Vincent Dowling. The same trooper arrested the aggressor, who was fully committed, with the other prisoner, to stand their trial at the next Quarter Sessions. The name of the first prisoner is James Clancy, that of the last William Smart; one for stabbing with intent, the other for shooting.
Several other men are now in the look-up, undergoing sentences of fourteen days, for refusing to obey the lawful commands of their respective employers.
The river is very low ; but news of steamers have reached us, and are daily expected. Weather fine and dry.
Bourke, 21st Oct, 1864. .
The river is again rising slowly, and two steamers, the Maranoa and Wentworth, are lying at our wharf, if I may call the bank of the river by that name. The Wentworth has landed seventy or eighty tons flour, which will be stored, I expect, with Becker, for sale. Seventy or eighty bales of wool were shipped on board the Maranoa, en route for Adelaide. The arrival of these boats has expelled the idea that steamers cannot navigate the Darling during low water-the water now is very low and too much praise cannot be accorded to Captains Johnstone and Smythe. The first-named gentleman reached Bourke a few hours previous to Captain Smythe, but each commander has acted with great energy in reaching us, and we warmly appreciate their enterprise.
On Saturday and Friday we had delightful rain, which was wanted. Today, Sunday, Dr. Pechey has gone to the Culgoa on pressing business. There has been much sickness in Bourke lately, chiefly influenza, but the people are now pretty well, under the skilful treatment of our resident doctor, who, to use the words of one parent, wrought a miracle with one of the afflicted children. Buildings are going up rapidly, and altogether Bourke is flourishing. Nothing of importance from the Warrego.
Bourke, 24th Oct.
-Maitland Mercury, November 10, 1864.
BOURKE.
During the last few days the weather has been sultry and oppressive, and even now, in spite of the storms hanging about, it is anything but pleasant. The rain of which I spoke last week has been very widely spread, going as far north as "Conn's Hut," on the Warrego-a distance, to follow the road, about 90 miles. The lower part of that river, in consequence, is abundantly supplied with grass. The river is very low, and without we have another fresh, steamers will be unable to come to us. However, we are most prodigiously provided with all the necessary means of comfortable, if not luxurious, life. You will recollect that a movement was made by a few energetic men last April to establish wells or tanks across the waterless 40 miles between this place and the Warrego. Had this been done, Bourke would have moved forward a step. As it is, through the peculiarity, or, to speak plainer, the sheer stupidity of one or two who had no business whatever to have been allowed to outweigh the opinions and movements of men who see farther than today, the object is unaccomplished, and many long miles must be traversed by teams in consequence, which might have been dispensed with. Let us hope that it may yet be able to bear fruit in spite of the narrow, cramped, and confined ideas of the few.
The health of the place is not so good as could be desired, many suffering from affection of the eyes. One death occurred yesterday on the opposite side of the river. The deceased's name was Cavanagh ; his complaint, disease of the bladder. Business is pretty brisk. Shearing is nearly over ; and a fine clip most people have had. The prisoners Smart (for shooting) and Clancy (for stabbing) left Bourke en route for trial a few days ago, in charge of troopers Burns and Brown.
There has been a large amount of police duty done the last month, but we may trust that a period of quietness will now supervene. From tho Worrego I have a sad tale of suffering in the bush, but I will tell you all about it in my next, as I shall be able to see one of the sufferers -the other one, I fear, is no more. The mail is closing. 4th Oct., 1864.
-Maitland Mercury, November 19, 1864.
BOURKE.
The river is still lowering, and the weather is very warm, though we have a most plentiful supply of green pasturage all about us.
Another accident occurred the other day from the hateful habit some men have for tomfoolery. The sufferer, Mr. James Campbell, received a slight blow in the region of the loins, and for some time suffered most acute pain; he is not yet recovered, but is progressing favorably. I have spoken before of the senseless custom of "larking," and as this is the third severe injury which has been received here in a very short time, I trust at least that the Bourke residents will in future discountenance the practice.
Our cricket dub, which came into being with so much vigour that it promised to arrive at strong maturity, has of late shown unequivocal signs of lassitude and degeneracy, and should there not be a reaction it will soon be mythical.
I cannot give you, until next week, the details connected with the gentlemen who wore lost on the Warrego, as I shall not see M'Pherson until then. Bourke, Oct. 10
-Maitland Mercury, November 26, 1864.
BOURKE.
THE MISSING MAN- McPHERSON'S STATEMENT.
No tidings have been heard of poor Kelly, lost, you will recollect, with Mr. G. M'Pherson, Queensland inspector, on their road from Tarrelgoona to Noorooma ; and that he has perished even the most hopeful now sorrowfully admit.
That nothing has been done to recover the lost gentleman is a source of deep grief and indignation in the breasts of all classes on the Warrego. I shall enter more fully into this matter next week ; and I will here state, lest a feeling derogatory to the officials at Bourke should arise, that on my last trip down I informed Mr. Garrett, P.M., that Kelly had strayed into Queensland, and consequently was outside our jurisdiction. It now appears that he perished (if he be dead, and of that there is no divided opinion among those qualified to judge) in New South Wales; and we doubt not that all that human power can now accomplish will be resorted to to recover either the quick or the dead. Of Mr. McPherson's letter describing his journey with Mr. Kelly, and their parting, I simply send a verbatim copy, reserving any comments on the whole affair until a future hour.
Mr. McPherson’s Statement.
"Mr. G. Kelly and I started on the 19th ult. for the purpose of visiting Noorooma station, in Queensland, belonging to Mr. McKenzie. We arrived that night at Tarrelgoona, the property of Mr. Rutherford, and started for Noorooma the following morning. The track from Tarrelgoona and Noorooma is very indistinct, and I happened very unfortunately to miss it. Noorooma stands on a waterhole of the same name, and is about eighteen miles in a N.E. direction from Tarrelgoona, and there is no sign of a creek in a S direction half a mile from the house. I passed Noorooma to the southward, and after looking for that station till about one o'clock I said to Mr. Kelly that we had better return to Tarrelgoona, and get someone in the morning to show us the track. I therefore started back in a south-westerly direction. We had travelled about ten miles when we came to a road-which was the road to the Culgoa. I was not aware that there was a track between Tarrelgoona and the Culgoa, I therefore thought it was the track between Tarrelgoona and Noorooma, which we had missed in the morning. We therefore turned in an opposite direction, thinking we were going to Noorooma. I ought to have before stated that Mr. Kelly was riding a very fat horse of mine, whereas I was mounted on one the property of Mr. Rutherford, of this place. The horse Mr. Kelly was riding knocked up, being too fat, and want of water. I therefore changed horses with him, as he was much heavier than I.
We proceeded in this way five miles, when the horse I was riding was so completely knocked up that I was obliged to camp without water. I had the utmost difficulty in persuading Mr. Kelly to do the same, he wishing to go on to Noorooma. In the morning we started again, and had not gone more than four miles, when, from the features of the country, I was certain we were on the wrong road. I then told Mr. Kelly we were not on the right road, and I was certain it went to the Culgoa-whether to MCKenzie's or Collis's I could not say-and begged of him to turn back. He would not do so, as he was at this time very thirsty, saying that as we were on a road it would be sure to take us to water; whereas, in going back, we should have from twenty-five to thirty miles to go without water. We went on, and as I was riding a horse that was almost completely knocked up, I could do nothing but follow. We travelled in this way for almost fifteen miles, without any sign of water. I then begged and prayed of him to turn back, assuring him at the same time that I did not think there was any water on that road until we reached the Culgoa. He would not hear of it, and what made him persist in going forward was a native dog, also some birds. That there is water in that locality I believe but a person not knowing where it is, it is far worse than if there were none at all. We went on again about four miles, when I was so tired with riding a knocked-up horse all day that I could scarcely sit in my saddle. I therefore refused to go any further. I dismounted from the horse and laid down. This was about three o'clock on the evening of the second day. I never saw a person so completely done up for want of water as Mr. Kelly was at this time, whereas I was not thirsty at all. He asked me for the loan of my knife, and he opened a vein in the knocked-up horse's neck and drank a great quantity of blood. He then called to me to do the same. I tasted, but did not like it. He then told me he would go on, and not to fear, and he would find water. I asked him before he went to pull off my riding boots, which were new, and pinched my feet; he did so, then went on-riding the horse I had exchanged with him the day before for his knocked-up one, and which was comparatively fresh. And this was the last I saw of Mr. Kelly. The knocked-up horse stayed by me about a quarter of an hour, and then followed the other horse. I slept soundly until morning, then, thinking I was nearer the Culgoa than Tarrelgoona I went along the road in the direction of that river, which I reached on the fourth morning after leaving Mr. Kelly-which was six days and five nights without food or water, in a tropical climate-having walked the whole way (forty miles) nearly barefoot. I reached the Culgoa about eight miles above Messrs. Beaumont and Little's station, and remained on an out-station that night. On the following morning I started for Mr Beaumont's station, where I thought I could get a horse to carry me to Mr. Colliss’s but was refused. I luckily met Mr. Liscomb there, the Queensland boundary inspector, who at once lent me a horse to go to Colliss’s.
After being refused a horse at Mr. Beaumont's station, although I had walked eight miles that morning, I immediately proceeded to Colliss's, riding forty more. I was completely exhausted when I arrived at Colliss's, and remained there two days to get some nourishment, which I badly wanted. I tracked Mr. Kelly about fifteen miles from where he turned off the road, down a deep Beroo to the S , at some stoney ridges, about twenty-five miles from the Culgoa. I confidently expected to meet Mr. Kelly at Belalie when I returned there, but you may imagine my surprise and grief when I arrived there, to find there were no tidings of him whatever. Mr. Pawel and a black went out to look for him, but they could find no trace of him, as there was a few drops of rain since he was lost, and they put out the tracks. There is another man named Dan McLeod, who knows that country well, who has gone out from the Culgoa, but we have not heard with what success. I fear poor Kelly is irrecoverably lost. I did not for a moment doubt but that Mr. Kelly would make Belalie all right, as when he left me his intention was, after he made water, to camp there a day or so, then go back to Tarrengoona- otherwise I would have procured some people at Colliss's to go out and look after him. But even then I fear it would have been useless, as it would have been the sixth day from when I left him before they could have gone out, and we were two days without water before that, and Mr. Kelly was completely exhausted the second day for want of water.
When I arrived at the Culgoa I do believe that, had I five miles more to walk, I could not have done it. Mr. G. Kelly was quite a stranger here, having come down from Rockhampton, and he was going to Noorooma to see Mr. Liscomb, in order to get him to bring down his letters from St George's Bridge. He had with him a silver watch and some money, and he has left here two horses and some clothes and a small carpet bag, the key of which is on his person. He lived I believe a long time at Wagra, on the Tumut, the station of Mr Henry Osborne. He was born in Ireland but has been living in Tasmania from the time he was a boy.
George G. MacPherson.
-Maitland Mercury, December 3, 1864.
BOURKE.
The Marinoa has been again here, and returned with a large quantity of wool, and is, I hear, to be up again before Christmas. The weather is warm, and rain would be most welcome.
The troopers have not yet returned from the Warrego, but from the modus operandi adopted by them they might just as well have stayed at home. The old chronicler, William of Newbridge, relates that in the reign of Stephen a pair of green children toto corpore vivides, green from head to foot, fell from heaven in East Anglia, near the monastery of St. Edmund the Martyr. That their descendants have found their way out to these colonies, or that some similar miracle has taken place, we have good cause to suspect while we contemplate the excessive verdure of this part of the Government economy; almost everything-designs, undertakings, results-are so prodigiously emerald that nothing but a change of uniform from blue to green is necessary to constitute them the counterpart of the miracle spoken of by quaint old William of Newbridge. I shall be able, doubtless, to forward an account of what they perform.
Our people are very busy preparing their horses for the annual races, and some good sport is expected-Maitland Mercury, December 13, 1864.
BOURKE.
We had a fine thunder shower on Thursday, and the weather in consequence is more cool. The river is slowly falling, but there is still plenty of water for steamers.
I am glad to inform you that our hospital will be finished very soon ; the workmen are busy, and part of the building already up.
Our town is still growing larger, and, as I have said before, a bootmaker -a good one-would find abundance of work-more, in fact, than one could do.
The police have returned from the Warrego without anything belonging to poor Kelly, save his horses and what other property was found at Bellalie, the place from whence the lost one set out on his fatal journey ; so we may now cease to remember that any such a being as George Kelly ever lived. The extraordinary apathy shown by those who ought, following the common promptings of humanity, to have pursued a far different line of conduct, has given rise to a report that foul means were the cause of the lamented gentleman's death. This, of course, arising from the source it did, the idle prattle of a bushman's hut, can but the notice of a passing smile with those who think before they speak ; but the fact of such a thing being in men's mouths shows that something ought to have been done which was left undone. And what was that? Diligent search for the dead or living Kelly. It is true that one gentleman-Mr. Alex. Powel, of Belalie-spent days in a fruitless endeavour to find the missing one; but without any guide or mark to put him upon the coveted track, it was simply impossible that any successful result could accrue from his labours. Had Mr. M'Pherson ridden with him to the place where he parted with his companion, we might now be able to give burial to the dead; but on his part nothing was done-no wish expressed-that the search might be diligently or negligently made. Kelly was dead, and his bones might be bleaching in the sun until a chance foot should guide the traveller to the spot; and if coldness or lack of feeling was shown here, want of heart and dearth of sympathy was displayed in other quarters. Macpherson, you will recollect, arrived at Messrs. Beaumont and Little's station on the seventh day, dating from the time he left Tarrelgoona, informing that gentleman of his own sad condition, and the still more fearful position of his friend. And what was done? Nothing. No willing foot sprang to the stirrup to rescue a fellow creature then probably in the last dread agony of all. All was cold, pitiless, and repelling-so much so that even the escaped one was denied the loan of a horse to carry him to a place of comfort. There may be reasons why all this, repellent to every heart warm with the love of its kind, is as it is; but nothing we can imagine can palliate such conduct. In some parts of the colonies I could mention, the bare words, "a man lost in the bush," would be the signal for dozens starting to his aid; in this district it seems different-men's lives seem of little value. They leave their friends or companions that are lost-lost, in a wilderness in which lurks certain death, death of the most horrible description, and no kind hand is out- stretched to save ; they literally perish uncared for and unsought. Such indeed has been the case in two instances. May they be the last.
-Maitland Mercury, December 22, 1864.
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