1874.
BOURKE. December 21.The weather has been of a most fiery character and many men, women, and gentler sufferers-the dear children- are down under the affliction of sickness. Dr. Grant, I trust, will show, for he is as an intelligent worker in sanitary matters, that much of this evil might have been warded off. I am not inclined to intermeddle with the affairs of policemen, but I am compelled to say that there is a great deal left undone by them, to the detriment of the public body. I could point out centres of disease and death in several places. Pits of filth full to the brim, which have no business to be in existence. The matter was called ______________ since, but no one pound of pestilence-generating matter has been removed, and it is high time that action was taken.
Inspector Keegan has been away, severely ill, but he has returned, and doubtless many transgressors will be reminded of the duty they owe themselves and others. We have had no rain, though it threatened for some days, and all has passed away, and the sky is clear, and as metallic looking as a Life guardsman's helmet. At the mines they have a good supply of water, but things in general are stagnant.
Last week a poor follow named W. Johnson, a very old resident, was found dead a few yards from his hut. He was a shepherd for Mr. McNall, Jandra, and God only knows what was the conflict between life and death of this hapless human unit. He is another on the scroll of unattended departures.
3000 sheep, in charge of Mr. D. Carragin, leave Mooculta (Russel Barton's) for the south-east. They are a fine lot of animals, and do credit to their breeder.
The river has risen some two or three feet, but it is feared we shall not have enough to aid us in lifting up steamers from below.
The quartz crushing building is going up, under the directions of Mr. Millican, from Ballarat, a gentleman excellently qualified for the task. It is to be hoped that under instructions from men, in Victorian, he will visit the mines, and bring some of the energy and dollars of that colony here ; it is all that is needed to make us second to no place as a copper procuring district.
The Catholic Church is slowly progressing towards completion, and when done will be a comfortable little building.
Races at West Bourke will take place on Boxing Day and I dare say there will be a good attendance. Mr. J. Lunn will do his endeavours to make all at home, and should his fine garden be what it ought to be, the meeting amongst the melons will be most pleasant.
-January 3, 1874.
-January 17, 1874.
BOURKE. Saturday.
The navigation of the Darling is resumed to Bourke. The Jupiter steamer arrived this evening.
Heavy rains have fallen throughout the district and it is now raining heavily.
The Sydney mail is thirty hours late.
-January 24, 1874.
The Sydney mail is very irregular.The river Bogan is a banker, and coaches cannot travel. Nearly five inches of rain have fallen in twenty hours; the streets of Bourke are a sea of water.
Sunday. Nine inches of rain have fallen since ll p.m. on Friday. The river has risen seven feet since yesterday morning. It is dull and cloudy now.
- January 31, 1874.
LOST IN THE BUSH.
(from the Bourke correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch )On Saturday, the 10th January, 1874, John Doyle of the Redbank Tavern, with his niece, camped on the Pink Hill, en route to Bourke, from Sydney, the usual duties of a camp were completed, the blacks had hobbled the horses on the northern bank of the Bogan, and beneath the shade the party waited the going down of the pitiless sun, little dreaming what suffering was in store for one of the little company. Doyle, not satisfied with the previous conduct of the blacks, went at the close of sunlight to see that his animals were well cared for, he crossed the treacherous river, and all unconscious, wandered towards the merry tinkling of his horse-bell now some distance in the horrible scrub; gladly he hailed the departure of the sun, smitten as he had been the live-long day by its pitiless beams; cheerfully sang the tell-tale bell, and as the stars peeped from the violet sky, the voice of the master fell upon the horses' ears, they were on abundant grass, and with a kindly word Doyle turned his face the river camp. Perfectly content with all the world, he sang and pushed ahead, but was suddenly brought to a pause by a dense wall of lignum; this was not seen before, and instead of stopping at once and cooeying, he struggled into the tangled mass of matted vegetation, getting at each step more confused, he thought here of shouting for help, but the demon pride, which has so often betrayed its victims, bade him remain silent, and after desperate efforts to set things right, he lay down for the night; up ere the stars were swept from the firmament, the lost man was again on the move, hoping and fancying all was right; up again rose the blistering sun, and when his beams fell slanting hot from the tree tops, Doyle confessed himself lost-lost in the desert. Still lost, going with elastic step and unflinching heart, the day advanced, and with it came the horrible want of water. All above, around, and under feet was parched and hot, and the fact of being lost, as it always does in a waterless tract, made the pain tenfold harder to bear-still on under a sun that smote like scimetars-still bravely walking as against fate, and still no sign of relief. Dismal as was the scene, it was cheered by the sight of four horses. " I will follow these " thought poor Doyle, " and water will yet be found" ; close on their track, without causing alarm, the famishing man struggled hour after hour, fighting against the fell enemy with calm despair; towards sunset, and not before needed, an opossum is pounced upon, and its blood greedily drained, and then the trail of the horses is again taken up. The sufferer is better now-the red draught has refreshed his tottering energies, and hope awakes again only to be rudely dashed in pieces; it is now dark, and the horses, seemingly the last link which binds him to the living world, have vanished, and he is again alone beneath the glittering stars; another night of mental and physical agony, and a new day dawns. There is a marked change in the conduct of the lost man his lips are swollen and blue, a ringing sound hovers about him, a vagueness as to the true state of things, a partial unconsciousness to pain, the boots are thrown away, and over the blistering sand the stricken one wanders. Reason, though shaken, sits still upon her throne, and a native orange tree beckons him on, a couple of oranges are found and these are pressed to the parched lips with insane intenseness; on again, the upper garments left behind, till tired nature refuses to obey; down on the earth among the million ants, the now delirious man lies quiet as a babe at rest. But not for long, life is tough and another struggle must be made before it is given up; half crazy, with tottering step, the wretched man stumbles upon a road, and with a cry of fervent thanks, he falls upon the track-" Someone will now find my body" is the first thing which flashes through his shattered reason; how long he lay in deep oblivion he knows not, he roused himself and saw within the dust the tracks of naked feet- " I may yet find salvation," escaped the now closed lips, and naked as Adam before the fall, (for every vestige of clothing had been thrown away) he reeled along the dusty roadway. The cry of birds parrots, crows, bye-and-bye, reached his dulled senses, and hope again burned bright-fifteen miles, and as a shadowy dream, a tank and hut appeared, and with a last effort, John Doyle sprang and fell speechless and senseless at the shepherd's door, after being three nights and two days without water. The shepherd, a Chinaman, Doyle says, tended him kindly, doing all that one man could do for another. News went in to Charlton, and Mr. Longmore, with a friend, went out with a cart, to bring the rescued man in : and I am asked to state that, to Mr. Longmore's generous and Christian charity, coupled with that of his shepherd, Doyle's life is owing.
-The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser,
Thursday 12 February 1874
BOURKE. Monday.
Great rain has fallen at Cobar. The tanks are brimful, and
operations at the smelting works have commenced.-March 14, 1874.
FROM BOURKE TO BREWARINA.
April 20.
WITH the mailman Morrisson, an obliging youth, I started from
Bourke after waiting in vain for the Sydney mail some five hours, and over a
rough burr-blotted road arrived at what to me seemed a strange obstruction in
what is generally supposed to be for the accommodation of the public. The
obstruction is simply a fence thrown across a thoroughfare lending directly to
Brewarrina. The Minister for Lands may have given permission for this
obstruction, but I fancy it is ublawful and would humbly advise the owner of
this fence to place gateways as demanded by the law for the use of travellers
on a common highway. I can hardly imagine the turning of a thoroughfare two or
three miles to suit private convenience, especially when the road has been in
existence since travelling commenced from the Darling to the Bogan. It is a
great inconvenience, and I trust a pound or two will be expended in gates
before long. Going round this paddock we soon struck the old road, and blundering
along in the dark came in a few miles to " Dry Bogan," a considerable
stream in flood times but dry in days of drought.Crossing it we were on the Island, a magnificent piece of land belonging to Town and Co. I cannot accurately give the circumference, but should think it about 10 miles, and for pasturage it is about the richest I have ever seen. The Galvin family received us most cordially, attending to our own wants and those of our horses in a manner you seldom find in these times of wire fences. Off again in the morning, we reach in about 23 miles from Bourke, the Wet Bogan, an ugly swimmable stream with rapid current (I am speaking now of flood time). A boat belonging to Beemery 8 miles onward conveyed our saddles and precious selves to the other side-the horses swimming over like Newfoundland dogs. On again until we pull rein at a public house about two miles from the home station, a collection of numerous buildings, from a good size watch box to a squatter's dwelling. Mr. Thomas McNevin is the representative of the firm and ably he manages. The country is richly grassed, open and well adapted for sheep and cattle.
The Bathurst Burr is raising its defiant head in this district in a most alarming manner, and unless something be done to check or crush its growth our district will soon have an unenviable reputation. In Bourke and below that place it has already taken a possession which will take much chopping and burning to drive it out.
Leaving Hagerty’s, who entertained us well, we proceeded up the Darling to Yambacco, a deserted station, 13 miles from Beemery, belonging to Town and Co., situated on a magnificent water privilege, and surrounded by glorious country. There is a comfortable house, fine cattle yards, and the burrs- well, our horses had to be spurred through them. This was once the home of the late S. Sharpe, and its desertedness seems strange. Eleven miles, and Gundawina, lately the property of Lord and Mc'Nevin, is reached, and if choice country could tempt a squatter, he would squat here over an excellent road, the greater part never touched by floods. About seven miles, and the first township from Bourke is| reached-Brewarrina, or as it is generally called, "The Fishery." Going to the Brewarrina Hotel, a huge building of hewn white stone, procured in large quantities close to the township, I was received by its landlord, an old friend, with the true courtesy of an English landlord. I say this because you so seldom meet with the reception given you in the old country. Mr. Kelly has long struggled for the position he now holds, and the luxurious home he possesses. I say luxurious, for the big house of stone is a luxury not found within hundreds of miles of the place. All that tends to comfort is done, and when you go away you make a vow that when you next visit Brewarrina, the white stone house, with its ponderous walls and well-appointed apartments, shall receive your weary frame. There is another hotel, the Sportsman's Arms, a well kept inn, watched over by Mrs. Kerrigan. The stores, two in number, are well stocked, and what is more, the obliging manner in which you are waited on makes the scene more agreeable. Rich and Thompson are the proprietors of one, and H. Cohen and Co. of tho other. There can be little said against the determined manner by which the inhabitants make their wants known to the Government.
They have a court-house, which is a little picture, within and without, a public school not finished, a pontoon bridge, a fenced-in cemetery, the telegraph, postal arrivals from every quarter, and a bridge over the Cato.
Some of these works are not yet completed, but they have the money; they are lucky too in their public officers. The head of the police is an intelligent, energetic officer; the telegraphic manager clever und urbane, and the postal regulations are strictly performed. They have a resident clergyman, Mr. Glasson, a man of great capacity and unflagging energy ; a surgeon, Dr. S. M. Yule, whose skill can be proved by hundreds; and a bench of magistrates, taken as a body, just, unswerving, and above suspicion.
The town is situated on one of the most picturesque portions of the river, high, and with plenty of “get away”. It is the centre of a most valuable squatting district, and must prosper. At this bend of the Darling, the water rushes over masses of huge rook, keeping up a perpetual roar. When the stream is low, the “fish pens” formed by the blacks are visible and the quantities of fish which are, or could be, taken from them is marvellous.
The fish, coming down stream, enter small openings, and once in they remain there. It has been said that years ago some white man must have planned the traps, but this is not admitted by the blacks and the assumption is great, as the labour has been as clever as is the idea that the natives formed the work. While giving my horses a rest, a young .man much respected, Mr Conway, mailman, led to the altar a blushing bride, and the manner in which the wedding was celebrated showed that the inhabitants are hospitable and kind. I am going to Gongolgan, and shall send you a description of the country; thence across the bush to Cobar, that is, if I succeed in reaching the copper.
-May 2, 1874.
From The Brewarrina Correspondent:
“May 5.The fine steamer Excelsior, Captain Brackenridge, from Adelaide, arrived here on Saturday last, with a large consignment of general merchandise for Messrs. H. Cohen and Co., and Messrs. Rich and Thompson, of the Commercial Stores. She finished unloading her cargo this morning, and has got underway en route for Fort Bourke, eighty miles from the "little fishing village," as my esteemed friend, your Bourke correspondent, delights in styling us. By-the-bye, I omitted mentioning in my last communication, that we actually had the honour of a personal visit from him, and he took the trouble to examine those "wonderful fisheries," and was heard to exclaim, if we could only transport those wonderful fish-ponds to Bourke, I should be a happy man; what's more, a friend of mine informed me that this Bourkeite did not by any means despise the fine fresh cod nor the beautiful bream, which the blacks capture in the fish holes alluded to before. I trust that this gentleman, in the future, will have a better opinion of this unfortunate "fish village" than he previously held.”
-May 16, 1874.
BOURKE. Saturday.The Handicap Steeplechase, as telegraphed yesterday, was a most exciting race, and was won by Mr. G. F. Sullivan's Sportsman, O'Shannassy's Orphan second. Mr. Collis's Bally was killed.
-May 23, 1874.
Gongolgon to Cobar.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT)Gongolgon is a pretty little township, eighty miles eastward from Bourke. The soil is a rich sandy loam, capable of producing any crop which can be raised in any part of the world. Whilst there I visited a garden cultivated by the Chinese, and the prolificness of everything was wonderful. From a vine I collected a splendid lot of grapes, being the second crop, and they seemed more like the fruit grown in England than those in the early months. Pumpkins, weighing forty and fifty pounds, are no uncommon sight; one hanging in Mr. Whye ‘s bar turned the scale at forty-three pounds, and still, strange to say, they charge 4d per pound for the vegetable. This is a great mistake on the part of the gardeners, for tons of them are left on their hands. The same is true with melons; they charge so highly for them that people will not or cannot afford to buy, and not only are vegetables abundantly raised, but oaten hay of splendid quality has been reaped by Mr. Whye, and still the Bourke people import it from Adelaide. The town is built on the Bogan, and has plenty get away from floods, and is surrounded by magnificent country. There are two good stores, two taverns -the Lame Horse and the Royal. I sheltered myself at the lame quadruped, and found the host most obliging. I was in great need of a horse, having to go forty miles up the Bogan before starting for the mines, and, without even asking for the loan, it was tendered. I take this opportunity of thanking my landlord.
On my making it known that I intended to cross the bush to Cobar, saving a distance of about seventy miles, one gentleman, offered to bet me a pound that I could not cross. This bet I accepted, and in the morning set out, accompanied by Mr. Whye, who kindly rode with me three or four miles to the track which led to Bog, fifty miles from Gongolgon. There had been two carts over the trail some days previously, and this gave me encouragement for nearly 100 miles across the bush. Without a road is rather a delicate business, especially when a couple of men, a week or two before, had been nearly perished in the same country. Arriving at the point of departure with my guide, he shook hands with me, after giving me very exact information, and said he hoped I should get over safely. This I didn't like, for there was a doubt in his tone as to the failure I might make.
However, I started with 45 miles to the nearest water, through thick scrub, where the track was not very plain. I rode, delighted with the grazing properties of the rich open flats over which the course lay. At 25 miles there are numerous holes where water could be retained at little expanse; and could travellers procure it at this stage, the road to Cobar would soon be opened. Leaving this camp, the country suddenly changes to fine open plains with grass as high as the horses' ears in places-and then the difficulty of keeping the track commenced. All you could set was a waving ocean of yellow bending grass. I found the horse I was riding frequently left the path or track ; and knowing the consequence of getting wrong, I changed to my led steed, and was delighted to find that he seemed as anxious as myself to keep the course. A dozen times when the grass, like a luxurious wheat field, hid everything from sight, I found him as it were feeling for the road with his feet, so that at last I left it to his judgment. After crossing a wide stretch of splendid country, as level as a billiard-table, he stopped very suddenly, a sound coming up from his shod feet like strokes from a muffled drum. I looked down, and we were standing on a table of bare granite. Riding to a spot where a flock of parrots were chattering, I found a circular hole eight feet deep and as smooth as the edges of a basin, brimful of water, clear as gin. On further search I found other holes similar in character, all full of the precious liquid. How these cavities were formed is to me a mystery. The rock is hard as flint, and in the centre of a plain. I was now about forty-seven miles from Gongolgon, and three more brought me to Bog, a large sheet of shallow water, which could be converted into a splendid privilege. This, I think, must come from a creek known as Mulga, and why the country is not stocked is marvellous. I had scarcely camped when I was visited by a troop of wild horses, and had some difficulty driving them off. Should any one camp here with mares, he would stand a chance of being left to walk. There is a well in this place and the ruins of a hut; so someone must have had stock here. At Gongolaon they said it was eighty miles to Tindera, a public-house, forty miles from Cobar, kept by Mr. Charles Campbell-and well, too, it is kept-a marked distinction to many roadside inns. But let anyone who takes this track count on ninety miles, and he won't e far out. However, you save sixty to seventy miles in not going to Bourke, and in rainy times there is no difficulty. They talk of making another track steering more to the south and there is no doubt that the mines could be reached in 110 miles from the Bogan. Should this be done, a journey of ninety miles would be saved. There can be little question this country will soon be occupied, for it is, without exception, the finest I have ridden over for years. Should at person feel disposed to take this route to Cobar, let him inquire the way at Golgolgon, for there are many tracks three or four miles from the town. The course is south-west and a man steering thus must cut the road running from Bourke, which goes due south.
At the mines there was little indication of the vast deposits of copper there lying. The same inactivity which has always marked the place was visible, and, until other enterprise be imported, I fear it will remain thus. The Wilcannia people have now Victorian men at the head of affairs, so we shall see what they do.- June 20, 1874.
BOURKE. July 6.
The postponed Quarter Sessions are over, and the acting Judge, Mr.
Wilkinson, gave universal satisfaction; but it is to be hoped that such another
stoppage of law will not take place.Bourke is building up rapidly, and had we a few of the governmental blessings which are bestowed on the fishing village, we should have nothing to complain of. How it is that this little hamlet towers far above us is a mystery; the people there seem but to have to speak, and all they ask for is granted. They have two or three energetic men who will not be throttled, and in after days the names of Kelly, Goven, Doyle, &c will be remembered.
The weather is wet and cold, and during the trials at the Sessions, judge, jury, and visitors were rendered miserable: almost beyond description, by the disagreeable state of what we are obliged to call a court-house. Not only is it a suffering to inhabit it, but it is so ridiculously small, that when the jury retire, every word they utter can be heard in the body of the court. On Thursday, a panel was looked up, and during an angry debate as to the prisoner's guilt or innocence, the following came through the half-inch pine partition-" You I say guilty?" "Yes. "You say guilty?" "Yes." "No, I I'm d__if I do." This classical exclamation fell on the judge's ear, and a smile of mirth or something else crossed his face. I trust he will relate this fact to hon. gentlemen, and they may then see that, for decency's sake, something should be done.
Work among the sheep washers is about to commence, and the first to gird on the harness is Mr. J. Topham, a man widely and favorably known as a first-class wool scourer. He was to have commenced at Hood and Torrance's, on the Paroo, but these gentlemen having decided to send away their wool in grease. He goes to Womba, on the Darling, where 120,000 sheep await him. From thence he goes to Curranyalpa, where 22,000 will be mustered, and then to Buckenbee to whiten 7000. Mr. Topham will have a start, superintended by Mr. Blakey, of about 70 men, many of whom, with their employer, will leave Bourke next week.
I was out at Tinderee last week, and paid a visit to a mine about 2 miles from the main road and 70 from Bourke. I shall not say anything this week, but l am confident that a lode will be found. I shall wait until I can give a clear account of this place.
I met 40,000 of McLeod's sheep, crossing to the Lachlan, and 4000 of Russell Barton's en route for Melbourne. These were splendid animals, and would fetch a long price if taken into market.
Before closing I must state that of all the horrible places for wild dogs Cobar is the most horrible. A poor horse was found the other day partially eaten, though alive. The poor brute had lain down from some cause, and was attacked by the dogs. When found at daylight his hind quarters were frightfully mangled, and his intestines actually torn from his body. Mr. O. Warren killed the suffering brute. Should a child or a drunken man get astray they would have a poor chance from the pranks of famished brutes which prowl about the mines.
-July 18, 1874.
BOURKE. Saturday.
The Darling has risen five feet this week, and now stands at twenty-nine feet nine inches above the summer level. Steamers are arriving from South Australia.
-August 15, 1874.
BOURKE. Wednesday.
A large and influential public meeting was held last night, at
which it was resolved to forward to the Government petitions for a new court-house
and pontoon bridge. The river is falling fast; No reports have been received of
a further rise. Shearing is general throughout the district.August 22, 1874.
BOURKE. August 13.
The river is now twenty foot above summer level. Three steamers
have been here, and others are on the way. You would, could you see the cargoes
landed from these vessels at every flood, begin to think the far west entitled
to a little more consideration than it receives.Bourke is prospering wonderfully under the yoke she is compelled to bear, and were the ordinary means used to facilitate her progress, we should stand a prominent settlement. The Sydney mail was only 78 hours late last trip, and the lesser contractors seem to take their cue from Cobb and Co. One of these gentlemen was heard a few days ago to say that the Bourke people were the queerest set of fellows he ever knew. For if the mail was a day late, they kicked up a jolly row. Now, I maintain the contrary to all this. The Bourke people in this as in nearly everything else, show an apathy which goes to mar their own prospects. The people of the fishing village have the same complaint. But they make more clamour and, as a natural consequence, their wrongs are sooner righted. This village is building up rapidly; already they are twenty years the start of us in public buildings, and although they want a good deal striving to make a blackberry a mulberry, they deserve much credit for what they have tugged from the government. Mr. R. Kelly, I see, is to be feted and testimonialed for his activity in this line, and he deserves it.
We have had a vast deal of sickness lately. Nearly every child, and many adults, are suffering from what is called whooping cough. Though it is of a milder form than that of some. There is an evident change in the climate. I have been here ten years, and never saw so cold a winter; even now heavy frost is seen in the morning.
Work is going on among the sheep, and the squatters have everything to be thankful for. Scouring is going on down the river. One gentleman, Mr. Topham, assisted by Mr. T.Blakey, employing about seventy men. This is a glorious season for the work, and will doubtless be profitable to all concerned.
The Waradgery steamèr, with Murray gum, expected daily. This is one of the Melbourne boats. The Maranoa has passed upward to Walgett.... I saw a letter from a most reliable source, living in Queensland, stating that their rivers were in flood, and that we might expect their water in three weeks ;so we may have to bank up again. Fencing is going on on a large scale. Seventy tons of wire passed up the river last week.
Nothing doing at Cobar. The election of Mr. Charles Cowper, to the office of Sheriff, gives much satisfaction to the majority of the people.
Our townsmen, I am glad to state, are planting fruit trees largely. Mr. O'Shannassy, at Fort Bourke Station, has established quite an orchard, and it is to be hoped others will follow his excellent example, for we cannot afford 2s per pound for grapes, and 3s or 4s per doz. for peaches. -August 22, 1874.
Wednesday.
The foundation-stone of St. Stephen's Anglican Church was laid today by the Rev. F. B. Boyce, acting incumbent. £150 was laid on the stone. The total amount subscribed was £1550.
-August 29, 1874.
BOURKE.
Monday.
A meeting was held at Wilcannia on the 17th instant, with the object of erecting an Anglican Church there. The sum of L385 was subscribed.
Tuesday: Mr. James Moloney, Customs locker, has been missing since Saturday night, and grave doubts are entertained concerning his safety. The river has been searched by Becker's steamer, and horse men are starting now for the bush.
Thursday: Mr. James Maloney, Customs locker, who was missed from here on Saturday night, has not been found. The horsemen who went in search of him have returned. It is supposed that he has been drowned in the river.
-19 September, 1874.
BOURKE.
Monday: The body of Mr. James Maloney, Customs locker, was found in the river on Saturday, and was buried yesterday (Sunday).
-September 26, 1874.
A settler named John Dunne, of Netley station, Menindie, is
drowned.
-October 3, 1874.
James Maloney Custom's locker, was seen on Sunday night last, and
since then has been hidden from all search. Mr. Becker sent his steamer, the
Princess Royal, on Monday to search the river, while the police have been constantly
employed to solve the mystery. A troop of horsemen were out, some of them from
Tuesday to Wednesday night, but nothing has been found of definite shape. A
handkerchief, bloody, belonging to the missing man has turned up this morning,
and report says a boot. When last seen late on Sunday he had been subject to
rough usage, but to what extent is unknown: the whole affair is one of
strangeness, which none can reasonably solve.(Body since found in the river as
announced in telegraphic columns in our last issue)
Business very brisk, all kind of work plentiful, but few workmen to
be had; wages are high. The weather set in warm.
The English church being built. The public school under Mr.
Reinits, a gentleman of great experience, is open again, and parents are
delighted.
All pastoral affairs are looking sound. We have had typhoid fever
here but it is disappearing. Dr. Grant has nearly stamped the plague out, more
power to him.
-
October 3, 1874.
BOURKE. September 26,
Some time ago I mentioned the copper mine
at Tindera, and now I can give you a full description of the work done, and the
prospects held out to the company. In May, 1873, the ground was discovered by
John Rayner, and by him taken up as a mineral adventure: and with the
assistance of one man, he has worked during the whole time with no other reward
than that which may acerne should the mine prove successful. At any rate, 12
months hard work has entitled him to the name of a man of indomitable energy;
and had the rest of the mines been worked in the same energetic manner, our
district would now be the foremost copper-producing one in the colonies. Some
short time since a company was formed, and 1000 shares at one pound each were
issued: 500 of these were offered to the public, the remaining 500 being held
by the proprietors. Those offered for sale were sold with an understanding that
the money was to be expended in developing the mine. All has gone well up to
date, and on Tuesday a meeting of shareholders was held at Tattersall’s, when
it was decided to go on with the work. Mr. Rayner showed a drawing of the work
done, which, considering that only two men have been at it, and that, they were
occupied a great deal of the time carting water, &c., &c., from a long
distance, afforded an earnest of the faith of the proprietor. Number 1 shaft
has been sunk to a depth of 83 feet. At the 43 feet level a drive 28 feet has
been driven to the west; and at its end another shaft, I think of 18 feet. From
this shaft, at the 40 feet level, a second drive of 30 feet has been made. The
lode was cut in the 20 feet drive, and the second drive sank upon it. It is now
purposed to sink lower, it being the opinion of the miner that the ore will be
found in rich payable quantities. I have seen the ground, and talked to many experienced
men on the subject, and all say it is but a thing of time for Tindera to prove
a good copper mine. Tindera is 30 miles nearer Bourke than Cobar, and about one
and a-half west from the Co's tank. The surface has all the indications found
at established mines, and those beneath give unmistakable evidences of a rich
lode.
Mr. Thomas, the new manager at South
Cobar, I hear has condemned the huge smelting shed put up by Mr. Davis, at a
great outlay. It is not only on a wrong site, but is 20 feet too short, 10 feet
too narrow, and too low. This is what I am told, and I think my informant is
reliable. There appears to be the grossest bungling ever seen in these same
mines of ours.
Mr. Charles Campbell has commenced
storekeeping at this place, and there is little reason to doubt his success
should action be taken in regard to unearthing the boundless wealth there hid.
Mr. Thomas, from Peak Downs, proclaims Cobar not one whit over-rated.
The body of Mr. Maloney was taken from
the river on Saturday evening. The verdict at the inquest being "found
drowned." The deceased was a most zealous officer, punctual, and thoroughly
at home in the duties entrusted to him. As a friend or companion, he was kind,
gentle, and unassuming. His funeral was largely attended, the service being read
by Mr. August Booker, in the absence of a clergyman, in a most impressive
manner. Mrs. Maloney is still in Bourke, and has the heartfelt sympathy of all
here.
The Freetrader, Victorian steamer, every
day. The Waradgery steamer at Beemery, taking in wool; she will take about 1800
bales to Melbourne. This Co. is making quite a stir upon the river; Adelaide
feeling that unless she changes her mode of doing business it will shape its
course. Echuca railway was much needed, and the firm of McCullum have strong backs.
Our town is building up rapidly, and if men would sink the individual for the
sake of the general weal, Bourke would soon be a pleasant place to live in.
Our first show, under the Pastoral
Association, takes place in November, and you will then see that we have good
stock about us. Labour is very scarce. I know as much as 12s per day is paid to
some labourers-10s being the sum generally looked for. Mr. Barton, of Mooculta,
is offering 22s 6d per hundred for having sheep shorn, and is still
short-handed. The weather is dry, and if rain comes not, we dread the consequence.
A drought is badly feared. There is plenty pasturage, but rain is much needed.
Provisions plentiful; best flour, £18 to £20.
Mr. Doohem, of the Weelong Hotel, I have
just heard, is in a dying state. Dr. Grant, is summoned to attend.
-October 10, 1874.
The Coroner's inquest held recently at
Bourke, relative to the death of the late Mr. James Maloney, Customs officer,
and which is reported in the Central Australian of the 26th ultimo, does not
throw much light on the subject it was meant to elucidate. There is no evidence
to show how the deceased gentleman met his end, and, of course, the verdict was
found drowned. Mr. Moloney was not a man likely to commit suicide, but whether
he was thrown into the river, or fell into it accidentally, will probably never
be known. The deceased was much respected by all who know him, both in Sydney
and at Bourke. His funeral was the largest over seen in Bourke. He leaves a
widow to lament her loss, and for whom much sympathy is expressed at Bourke.
Mrs. Maloney was formerly teacher of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Denominational
School in this city.- October 10, 1874.
BOURKE. October 13.
The weather is very hot, the mercury
going to 100 in shade. The river is again rising, and we expect other steamers.
The Goolwa from S. A. is now unloading. Business is very good; employment
plentiful; but few men to be engaged. We are to have another bank established.
An agent of the Joint Stock is here making preparations. This will be a boon to
all who are lucky enough to have money to bank. Already the Commercial has
lowered its rate of exchange to Victoria to ½
per cent. It used to be one per cent. Fancy a man having a Victorian £10
note, and before he could get NSW money for it he must needs lose 2s. Mr.
Arthur Lloyd has arrived from Sydney, and is now in charge of the Custom House.
Mr. Layard, from Bathurst, is expected to do the duties of C.P.S. The English
Church is being rapidly built, and when finished will be a very comfortable
building. The Mechanics' Hall is finished, and with a little crowding, I have
no doubt 30 people could sit and read.
There is a great stir among our Pastoral
Association friends; the show will be held next month, and you will hear of
some fine animals coming forward. During the past two months there has been
brought here about 150 tons of fencing wire ; this will give you an idea of
what is doing in that direction. Nearly all the large stations are owned by
Victorian men, and. there is little doubt they will change for the better the
working of their property. The line of steamers sent from Echuca by M'Culloch
and Co, whose agent here is R. M.
Hughes, has roused the almost dormant
energies of S. A. Wool goes down now for L8 per ton to Melbourne. Their boats
are first-class, and very powerful. One of these, the Lady Daly, passed down,
having on board 1770 bales. The Waradgery left here with about 1000. There can
be little doubt but this route is the most speedy and safe. Shearing is not yet
over, owing to the scarcity of shearers. Mr. Russell Barten, of Mooculto, has
been offering 22s 6d per hundred, and still offers. Rain wanted.
-October 24, 1874.
BOURKE: Thursday.
A great fire occurred here on Sunday.
The telegraph office and three other buildings were destroyed. No injury to
life occurred, but there were great losses in personal property.
-November 14, 1874.
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