Papers of William Shakespeare Hall, 1861–1895/Andover diary
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT AT ROEBOURNE
August, 1863, – July, 1864.
A DIARY
kept
by
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HALL,
(who established Andover Station for Mr. J. Wellard)
Copied from the original by
J.M. Clifton.
NOTE.
(By J.M. Clifton).
Before copying the diary, it will make it more lucid if a few explanations are given. W.S. Hall established the first station in the Rosbourne (Cossack) district for Mr. John Wellard of "Lowlands", Serpentine, S.W. The station was called Andover and remains so to this day. Mr. Padbury and his party, which included Mr. Charles Nairn, also landed at North Beach, Cossack, about six weeks earlier but pushed on further into the DeGrey district. I make these statements to settle the heated controversy that has been waged in a well-known weekly newspaper in Perth regarding the names of the first men to land at Cossack and the name of the first station in the Roebourne district.
March, 1928.
NOTES ON TEXT.
(By J. M. Clifton)
(a). Tien Tsin Harbour was the original name of Cossack. The name of Cossack was derived from a British man of war.
(b). The party decided to take up a run nine miles from the present site of Roebourne. They named the station Andover.
(c). Dig Down was a hole near a rock on the north beach, where mails were left by settlers and by ships.
(d). Hall's Hill is now known as Mount Hall.
(e). Evidently the killing of a sheep was an event. See later entry on May 31, 1864.
(f). The remains of these walls are, I believe, still to be seen at Andover Station.
(g). This was the first post office known in the district.
(h). The flats by the river are referred to.
(i). This native, Mooligunn seems to have been a very distinguished man among his countrymen, & Was admired for his truth and honesty by the white people. M's wives were numerous.
(j). There were two men of the name of Taylor — the one referred to in this entry and the hand employed on Andover.
(k). This may be Kangan Pool.
(1). It would appear that Mt. Welcome was an early name for Robourne, which is built at the foot of the mount of that name.
(m). Rocket was the name of a horse on Gregory's expedition.
(n). Squatters had to depend on each other to help eat a beast when one was killed for meat.
A Copy of Notes in the Diary of W.S. Hall (1863).
AUGUST 5, 1863.
I joined Mr. Wellard's party about to proceed to the De Grey, N.W. Coast
AUGUST 6.
"Tien Tsin" sailed from Fremantle with party, stock &c.
AUGUST 17.
(a) Arrived at Tien Tsin Harbour.
AUGUST 18 to 28.
Landing stock, stores and exploring the country.
AUGUST 29.
(b) I came on shore to remain.
AUGUST 30.
Mr. Wellard left. I wrote three letters.
AUGUST 31.
Boating timber from lower landing, carrying it up the hill, coopering casks and securing provisions.
SEPTEMBER 1.
Carrying timber, Putting up buildings.
SEPTEMBER 2 and 3.
Same as above.
SEPTEMBER 4.
Self taken ill with influenza; hands as above.
SEPTEMBER 5
The same as above.
SEPTEMBER 6.
Dixon and Lang taken very ill, only Joe able to work.
SEPTEMBER 7 and 8.
About the same.
SEPTEMBER 9.
Party sufficiently recovered to finish building.
SEPTEMBER 10.
Removing provisions up the hill to house, coopering, stowing &c.
SEPTEMBER 11.
Went with McCourt in small boat across the Bay to the west of Jarman Island (about 7 miles) & up a creek, to find a way to convey provisions to station. (As the marsh appeared too boggy). Found Creek navigable & good landing. Returned at 2 p.m. and went with 2 horses to examine marsh and crossings in water courses, between head of creek and sheep station. Found marsh much too soft for dray, on account of late spring tides, but found a good route to station, though it made the distance very great.
SEPTEMBER 12.
McCourt and I ascended creek, & found good landing, at about 200 yards from hills S.W. by S. from house; returned at noon and went with horses and found good way for dray.
SEPTEMBER 13.
Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 14.
Packing, Loading, flat; carrying up McCourt's stores.
SEPTEMBER 15.
Sent McCourt with three hands in flat, loaded with dray & stores; to be landed at head of creek. Having previously ordered bullocks to be herded in the vicinity. - I was unable to go myself, as I was suffering terribly from Tic-douloureux & Influenza; & had been from the 4th.
SEPTEMBER 16.
Carting stores to station (after much trouble in carrying them over 200 yards of bog). Fixing tent, making yard &c for dipping sheep.
SEPTEMBER 17.
Dipping sheep.
McCourt brought more down in flat.
SEPTEMBER 18.
Same.
SEPTEMBER 19.
Finished dipping.
Went with McCourt and Green and found place to move sheep to, & crossing place on river, to 49.
SEPTEMBER 20.
Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 21.
Removed sheep and dray load of stores 1 mile above "Dig Down" camp.
Sent three hands and dray to get wood and help McC dip sheep.
SEPTEMBER 22
Dipping sheep.
SEPTEMBER 23.
Do. Do.
SEPTEMBER 24.
Finished dipping.
SEPTEMBER 25.
Moved McCourt's party to "Dig Down" camp; and men to ours.
SEPTEMBER 26.
Clearing round camp. Cattle hunting.
SEPTEMBER 27.
Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 28.
Sent fro three men to come to house; 1 to take Laing up who was now very ill; and 2 to help me pack goods, & load flat.
Took stock.
SEPTEMBER 29.
Same as above.
SEPTEMBER 30.
Landed stores at head of creek, hard work to get them through the mud and water to the dray; loaded and went to McCourt's camp.
OCTOBER 1 to 9.
Boating and carting stores still, mustering sheep, horses and bullocks, men erecting temporary yards. Self writing, in which I am rather in arrears, still weak from sickness, from 4th to 30th.
OCTOBER 10.
McCourt and self preparing for DeGrey trip. Dixon and Joe putting up shade for men; & stores which cannot be put in tent. Barrigal out after stallion (in hobbles, not seen for a day or two; though sought.) Barrigal brought news of arrival of "Mystery" with letters and stores from Fremantle.
OCTOBER 11.
Started for Bay to board ship, too late and vessel too distant to board at night. Went on board at 7 a.m. to make inquiries of intended movements etc.
OCTOBER 13.
Started at 3.30 to inspect run with Mr Taylor and McCourt; camped on plain 3 miles S.E. of conical hill, now named "Hall's Hill". (d)
OCTOBER 14.
About E.S.E. to Kangaroo (fine pool of Gregory's Expeditions) 10 miles then E.N.E. 6 ms to George River & thence 7 miles to Sherlock River, followed its downward course about 2 miles, surprised a party of natives at a shallow water hole; & camped on plain at junction of "George" and Sherlock.
We crossed the junction; but little water; & that very salt; then made about a N.E. course 5 miles to east branch of Sherlock; travelled up it a few miles; but finding it very dry up to where N & S line would pass near it, we returned to W branch and on to main branch of George, followed it up south about 8 miles - came on running water & many natives, not far from Black Hill; from which a W course brought us after dark to the head water in "Taylor's Creek", upper part of "Kangaroo" (a fine pool) We camped at 8 p.m. on one of three large pools not seen before which take their rise at the foot of Mt. Wellard (Wellard Range) a high and abrupt table-topped hill to the N. of King's Pyramid.
OCTOBER 16.
On to "Kangaroo" after having spent much of the morning examining ground for homestead. Thence after a rest of three hours home.
We found no suitable place for a head station; & no permanent water except in the S George & perhaps Taylor's Creek. S.George would not be on run & is rough and thick with poor feed & the high grounds up Taylor's Creek, above Kangaroo Pool does not lay well for feeding at flood time; & should it not prove permanent, all the stock would have to come to the Harding for water.
OCTOBER 17.
Examined map with Mr. Taylor & McCourt; & went over our route; & all considered or concluded that 49 was the best place for homestead.
OCTOBER 18.
Sunday. Returned home as far as McCourt's.
OCTOBER 19.
Cattle hunting.
OCTOBER 20.
Dixon and Joe making additional shade for all the stores from the house. Barrigil ill. Self taking lines of this end of run & writing.
OCTOBER 21.
Dixon after cart mare. Joe making temporary stock yards. Barrigil ill and sent down to Bay to change places with Billy.
OCTOBER 22.
As above.
OCTOBER 23.
McCourt & I came from station at 5 p.m. Coopered casks and loaded flat by 11.30.
OCTOBER 24.
Started at 5 a.m. uppcreek, unloaded and conveyed stores across marsh; loaded dray & returned in small boat, with much labour; as the water was so low that we had to drag her over dry sand banks for nearly a mile; the flat we were compelled to leave as she was aground & all our water finished; & only Lewington in charge of the house till 5 p.m.
OCTOBER 20.
Sunday.
OCTOBER 26.
Brought flat across and loaded her.
OCTOBER 27.
Up with load, much trouble to cross marsh, as it was very wet and boggy; it took 1 hour for 3 hands to roll 2 tierces 200 yards.
The flat was aground in a small creek branch, where we left her & returned in small boat to house; as it was spring tide (high tide) & our only chance of getting her for perhaps some time. We started at 10.30 p.m. to bring her down; it took us just 1 hour to get up.
OCTOBER 28.
We returned with flat at 1.18 a.m.
OCTOBER 31.
One man with sore eyes. Native paid the camp a visit at 49.
NOVEMBER 2
Bullocks resting on account of sore feet.
NOVEMBER 5.
Wind prevented us taking Padbury's wool to Jarman Island (for shipment). Remained at home writing.
NOVEMBER 6,7, 8.
Same work.
NOVEMBER 9.
Another man ill, with knocked-up bullocks (foot sore). I walked to McCourt's camp & rode out to the station.
NOVEMBER 10.
Having remainder of stores & also house carted up; as it will save one hand remaining to mind it.
NOVEMBER 11.
As usual all at work.
NOVEMBER 12.
Making pigsty; adding to shade &c.
NOVEMBER 13.
Men as before. Self making troughs, putting saws in order, & other tools.
NOVEMBER 14.
Nairn and 3 hands arrived at noon - 4½ days from DeGrey.
NOVEMBER 15.
Laing shot two turkeys.
NOVEMBER 16.
Rode down to Bay & shipped Dixon & 2 natives per "Mystery" with provisions 13 lbs of flour & 21 pieces of pork supposed to weigh 4 lbs each. Sent 4 letters to Mr. Wellard with copy of journal; & 5 other letters.
NOVEMBER 17.
Went home with Nairn; & rode out with him, and found station for his sheep; sent Joe down with team to cart Nairn's stores up; having previously sent McCourt & Jack to bring them up to head of marsh with remainder of our own things. Laing refused to cook, as he said he had taken an oath against it.
NOVEMBER 18.
Out with Nairn horse hunting on river. (could not find them) & cattle hunting at "Dig Down".
NOVEMBER 19.
Men as above. Laing at work at house. Bullocks better, Sawed piles for house.
Found excellent place to put horses and cattle, where they would be likely to remain.
NOVEMBER 20.
Working on foundation of house with Laing. Joe making shafts to cart.
NOVEMBER 21.
Working at house and horse hunting.
NOVEMBER 22.
Found Jinnette with foal & horses. Two natives were seen driving two heifers with calves.
NOVEMBER 23.
Went down to Nairn's, collected all the cattle with Nairn; divided them; & took 14 head of station cattle to river grass, where there is plenty of green feed for calves; returned home at 9 p.m. Nairn had preceded me.
NOVEMBER 24, & 25.
Started with Nairn for Sherlock River; found after 6 or 7 miles up one side of the river; & down the other; excellent feed, with I think permanent water; but no suitable site for a homestead, as the plains are subject to very heavy inundations, probably 3 or 4 feet deep or more in places.
NOVEMBER 26.
Started home, slept on plain near white hill; when the mare left me during the night.
NOVEMBER 27.
Tracked mare to water; after having hid my saddle & traps; found other horses but not mare; came home at 3 p.m.
NOVEMBER 28.
Men carting with teams & building; self at work on latter. Found tracks of natives in the vicinity of the cattle, which makes us apprehend they may have disturbed them; saw 3 natives who ran away; also one heifer lost her calf.
NOVEMBER 29.
Sunday. Went out for the saddle I had left; found the mare Dolly & Ney.
NOVEMBER 30.
Hunting cattle; guarding them from natives, usual station work for all hands. (Many natives camped near cattle).
DECEMBER 1, 2, and 3.
Same as usual.
DECEMBER 4.
Collected all cattle (for safety)
(with exception of 2).
DECEMBER 5.
Found all the horses (A long day's ride)
Last load of timber carted.
DECEMBER 7.
Putting up frame of building.
1 sheep dead up the river.
DECEMBER 8.
Still working on the building. Green ill.
DECEMBER 9.
Same routine
While we were at dinner a whirlwind passed through the building & put much of our work out of place; with however no further damage, than the loss of time to put the frame in place again.
DECEMBER 10.
Regular routine
DECEMBER 11.
The same.
DECEMBER 26.
Working at fold, quarrying &c.
Lechum (?) brought in a fine emu.
DECEMBER 27.
Sunday.
DECEMBER 28.
Splitting timber for hurdles a.m. p.m. Too much rain to work; the first fall we jhave had since we came into the country; Stock,particularly lambs, much in need of it. Lewington shot an emu.
DECEMBER 29.
Making hurdles.
DECEMBER 30
The same.
DECEMBER 31.
Finished hurdles; & quarrying stone in fold, covers carpentering.
- 1864. -
JANUARY 1.
Clearing stone out of fold (hilly ground).
JANUARY 2.
Joe at work on fold. Lewington & self horse hunting; found them.
JANUARY 3.
Sunday.
DECEMBER 12.
Ditto.
DECEMBER 13.
Sunday.
DECEMBER 14.
Working at house.
DECEMBER 15.
Hanging doors, &c; & putting in clay floors.
DECEMBER 16.
The same, & putting up fixtures.
DECEMBER 17.
Men after ewes & lambs & horses. Abraham shot 3 emus, sent us 2. Carting stores, coopering casks & driving in all our horses.
DECEMBER 18.
Hunting horses, stowing stores, fitting up house.
DECEMBER 19.
The same & making furniture.
DECEMBER 20.
Unpacking stowing stores.
DECEMBER 21.
Making mauls.
DECEMBER 22 and 23.
Splitting for fold, boring, trimming etc.
DECEMBER 24.
Killed a sheep 43 lbs.(e).
DECEMBER 25.
Christmas day, excellent dinner.
JANUARY 4.
Went with Green to find station for sheep; moving flour; & preparing casks for water. Joe building stone walls at fold.
JANUARY 5.
Took Green to inspect Nairn's sheep; as they appear to be quite clean, I think it advisable to unite the two parties, as the advantage to use will be very considerable. Joe with sheep. Lewington shot two turkeys. (The absence of fences caused much work & vigilance of stock on account of natives).
JANUARY 6.
Marking sheep &c. Carting water & traps to Green's sheep station.
Joe building stone wall.
JANUARY 7.
Repairing dray. Counting & marking sheep.
Ditto Nairn's sheep previous to mixing the two flocks.
JANUARY 8.
Working at dray & carting Nairn's stores from "Mount Lazarus" (?).
JANUARY 9.
Cutting bushes for fold & clearing about house, drains &c
Rain p.m. (with Schum (?)).
JANUARY 10.
Sunday. Heavy rain at 4.30 p.m. Green obliged to bring sheep in.
JANUARY 11.
Securing tents on roof of house as it was very leaky.
P.M. went with McCourt horse hunting, as the plains are getting very boggy.
JANUARY 12.
Slept on the horse run last night as we could not find them. Finally brought them down the range; heavy rain.
JANUARY 13.
Usual station work.
JANUARY 14.
No change in routine.
A kangaroo shot & an emu
JANUARY 15.
Quarrying stone with McCourt, station hands as above.
This day makes a week of rainy weather. Cool delightfull weather.
JANUARY 16.
The same work
A turkey shot.
JANUARY 17.
Sunday. Went to the top of Mt. Jasper with McCourt, who shot a turkey.
JANUARY 18.
Working at stone wall, fetching wood and water, station hands as above.
A shooting match came off today.
Abraham shot an emu.
JANUARY 19.
Hands as above. Self ill.
JANUARY 20.
Hands ditto.
Laing & self ill. Abraham shot 2 emus.
JANUARY 21.
McCourt went after the horses in the hills & found the river running strong; he returned with one at 10 a.m. to to go in search of those down the river; which Yeranyeou had neglected to do (by persuasion) as I ordered yesterday; he also has his catch at the far side of the plain, & cannot bring them in home, as the plains are too boggy. I have ordered him to put them on this side of the plain every night as the weather has evidently been breaking for some time; & the country might be flooded at night. I have had the cattle & horses well looked after for many weeks, that they should not be cut off from the homestead but a fool advised by a rogue has upset my plans; (& should the rain continue) put all the stock in jeopardy. McCourt found horses but river too high to bring them across.
Hands as above & securing wood & odd things from the flood. Self the same but not well enought to do heavy work.
JANUARY 22.
Started McCourt after horses. P & W (Self) went to work compelled to give in. We brought in all the stray horses; as the river has been falling rapidly since yesterday brought them home; & put them 5 miles down home ranges. Cattle all mustered at home. After a good shower, fine, cool, cloudy weather, of which we have had much of late. Most of the men attacked with dysentry lately; gave them doses of laudunum; and put them right.
Hands as usual.
JANUARY 23.
I had a great row with Green, not a man but a thing that has always annoyed me; he said threw the sheep on to my hands and said he would have nothing more to do with them I told him I would take them & he had nothing more to do with them or the party; but could board with the men as usual.
Schum (?) could not work at all; as his foot was bad. McC. keeping keeping horses from going off home run. Self not fit for work but spent some time in learning how far Green might have spread his venom, through the camp; much to my satisfaction found they were not such fools to be led or misled by him -
JANUARY 24.
Sunday. McC after horses.
JANUARY 25.
Ditto.
JANUARY 26.
Schum (?) making tables. Joe at wall. Self no better.
JANUARY 26.
(f) McC Joe & self & Laing at wall. Schum(?) and Jack ill.
JANUARY 27.
Me and self in search of horses and fresh place to put them, as last has become boggy. Hands as previously stated. (found both).
JANUARY 28.
Schum (?) and Jack better; & at work; & others as before.
JANUARY 29.
At work at wall.
JANUARY 30.
McC after horses; tracked them off run; & saw tracks of natives crossing theirs, to & fro; as though driving them; followed them till late; but could not come on them (natives or horses) Joe and Schum(?) at wall; self painting dingy.
JANUARY 31.
Sunday. Started after missing horses found them far off at 3 p m, natives had not molested then. 2 turkeys shot.
FEBRUARY 1.
Joe laid up with sore eyes. McC and Schum (?) at wall. Self at dingy.
FEBRUARY 2.
Joe and Schum at wall. McC after horses. Self at boat and ill. Red heifer with calf broke her leg in bog.
FEBRUARY 3.
Making splints and attending to heifer; & odd work. Hands the same. Mc after saddles horses; not found. Weather so hot men cannot work after 10 a.m. -
FEBRUARY 4.
The bull Durham missing found; with a broken leg; not likely to recover, or fit for meat; sent him home; & told Joe to sling get him slung; & do what he could for him. Started (self) after horses, as Mc could not find them. Schum and Joe clearing stone out of yard -
FEBRUARY 5.
Slept on house run; searched all day, could not find them; tracks many miles from home; & then within three miles of house. Mc brought them in. Hands as before. Endeavoured to sling bull; but did not succeed.
FEBRUARY 6.
Men making slings, slinging bull. Quarrying stone in fold.
FEBRUARY 7.
Sunday.
FEBRUARY 8.
McC and self cutting posts for stockyards. Joe & Schum clearing stones in fold.
FEBRUARY 9.
All the same work for hands. Self cutting lambs.
FEBRUARY 10.
All at work at posts. Lewington after Dolly, Lucy & Tom; & brought in an emu (for meat).
FEBRUARY 11.
Laying out yard and fetching wood and water. After horses as usual.
FEBRUARY 12.
Men as above. McC and self felling rails.
FEBRUARY 13.
The same.
FEBRUARY 14.
Sunday.
FEBRUARY 15.
Men finishing posts. Mc ill, self carting timber for yard.
FEBRUARY 16.
McCourt very ill; self after horses; as I said they had left upper run. Joe clearing stones off cart road. Schum making tool handles.
FEBRUARY 17.
Mc Court went out and found horses, L being mistaken in their tracks; & Fan with a fine horse foal 5 days old. Joe ill. Schum and self working about station. Laing & Green had a row; & Laing punched his head, which he (Green) very much required. -
FEBRUARY 18.
Schum & self carting timber. Joe clearing roads. McC better but weak. All the horses seen.
FEBRUARY 19.
Jinnette left the run Mc after her. Schum doing odd work, with bad leg. Joe at road; self trimming rails.
FEBRUARY 20.
Went with Mc C down to Port; found flat all right, Deposited letters in bottle at "Dig Rock"(g)
FEBRUARY 21.
Burned the spinnifex near former site of house; & more on plains. Found timber and returned.
FEBRUARY 22.
Cutting rails & searching all over the country for more; but none. Joe and Schum digging post holes (ground very hard. Killed a sheep 47 lbs.
FEBRUARY 23.
Trimming & carting rails. Men as above.
FEBRUARY 24.
Ditto. Lewington came to me & said a native (Mullandee) had made a most murderous attack on him with a stone axe; on the bank of the river, while minding his cattle and fishing. I came home with the team, sent McC for the saddle horses; in the interim prepared traps &c; & started in pursuit; going by the place of attack; to see the tracks and recover the gun which L said he had taken with him, we found the gun in the river, under water, also the axe; mustered the cattle and went on, found first tracks 9 miles down the river; & went on to "Jones" Creek where we arrived at 9 p.m. and found the track of a single native (very tired) which we took to be Mullandee's, had tea and were about to turn in when a fire blazed up; but we could not discover him (or the others) till day broke; as we might threaten to shoot the wrong man in the dark; at 4 a.m. got close to fire, without being observed, & waited for day to break; when sufficiently light, called out his name to stop; having him under the muzzle of our guns at 10 yards; but to our great disappointment a stranger got up; & a woman by his side; the man of course was much surprised, & terrified, while the woman being in a perfect state of nudity, quickly arranged the very spare toilet with which Dame Nature had provided her; & went off (in haste).
FEBRUARY 25.
Had breakfast; & seeing signal fires eastward, started for the Sherlock River, with the idea of taking Mullandee; very disappointed in that; finding & catching Burges's black mare Lucy (left by Gregory & ourselves) Crossed the two branches of George River, when on going oto look for water, which we found, struck a fresh horse track, followed it for a few miles; & saw the mare, when near her, she came to the horses, & went off at a gallop; & we after her, taking the precaution to run her towards home. I soon found (my horse) old Ney could run 2 miles to her one; so we only had to let her go, till she was alittle tired when I rode Ney up beside her & ahead, & away she came at a gallop after him, when I thought she had had the run out, I pulled up & grabbed her by the forelook & McC came up & put his bridle on her; & mounted, (leaving his horse to follow) The old mare came away from her solitude with as much pleasure, as we did with her. She intends to write a sequel to the adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Men as before. At 5 p.m. struck a fresh horse trail, which we knew to be Nairn's.
FEBRUARY 26.
Returned. Mr. Nairn had arrived a few hours before us, with Mr. Heard and Dougall, 4 days from the "DeGrey"
FEBRUARY 27.
Men at yard. McC after horses. self writing & settling a/cs &c.
FEBRUARY 28.
Sunday.
FEBRUARY 29.
Drawing off sheep and lambs. McC after horses (Lucy left run). Green having found out his error acknowledged it; returned him his flock; he Green agreeing to pay Rob Laing £3 as compensation for that which Laing was to have had his pay raised to (Order to be drawn on Mr. J. Wellard for £3.0.0) Engaged John McCourt at £3.0.0, per month, until Mr. Wellard arrived or an opportunity offers of his going to the Swan; as since the attack on Lewington I may require the services assistance of an experienced bushman.
MARCH 1.
Men cutting rails. Nairn made a start; but his horses ran away with the packs; so he had returned and repaired them. Mc after horses, self after bull and heifer. Men the same.
MARCH 2.
Nairn's party left. McC and I accompanied them in search of a mare; & native Mullundee. Men the same as before.
MARCH 3.
Found the mare Lucy on the George, returned to Nairn's camp on little creek, 3 miles beyond Jones' creek. Men quarrying stone at house.
MARCH 4.
Lucy off again in hobbles, tracked her 10 miles; & overtook her on western Sherlock & came home.
Men are same duties.
MARCH 5.
Men cutting rails. McC after horses. Green heard two heavy explosions at 11 a.m. Like ship's guns. (Thought to be volcanic).
6 p.m. started for Bay with MacCourt; & slept at "Dig Down", near native camp; kept watch always.
MARCH 6.
Sunday. Fell in with Mulligunn; & a few others, who offered to take us to native camp, where Mullandee was, he took us to a camp with over 50 in it; but as the river was wide and boggy, we could not get to him, went on to hill at head of marsh, where we had a fine view of the Bay; but no ship; so we returned. 3 natives at house 5 at pool; the former followed Lewington with spears; & concealed themselves in the scrub while he was collecting his cattle. I must keep a sharp look-out for the stock, as I think those fellows intend mischief.
MARCH 7.
Two men & self at yard, McCourt looked up horses; & supposed natives were following him -
MARCH 8.
Laing & self trimming rails, Mc & Joe carting them in.
MARCH 9.
The same work.
MARCH 10.
Much the same routine,
MARCH 11 & 12.
All working at same. C & I started for Bay at 4 p.m.
MARCH 13.
Sunday. Started from "Dig Down", went to Bay the ship "Mystery" not having arrived deposited a 2nd letter at Dig Rock & returned home. (Looking up horses on the way, did not find them).
MARCH 14.
Three hands & self putting up stockyards. A false report of Mr. Wellard's arrival; great sensation.
MARCH 15.
At work as usual.
MARCH 16.
Same.
MARCH 17.
The same.
MARCH 18.
The same as above, & clearing round yard of stard; & watering round posts.
MARCH 19.
Two hands finishing yard, Joe at wall, watching horses, Green brought in a kangaroo.
MARCH 20.
Sunday. (Birth of a calf).
MARCH 21.
Started for Dig Down to repair flat.
MARCH 22.
Went down to marsh; & took flat down to within about 1 mile of house site, where she grounded -
MARCH 23.
Flat sunk during night; tide kept her down; so we could do nothing until it fell, accomplished work during night.
MARCH 24 & 25.
Working at flat; loaded her with timber bought of Nairn. Carting with bullock &c, also walking to "Dig-down".
MARCH 26.
Same.
MARCH 27.
Same work.
MARCH 28.
Came home quite tired of our trip; as we were almost devoured by flies during the day and mosquitoes kept us awake most of the night; & I had a sore foot from a cut. We gave the flat a good coat of pitch, calked her and put patches on her bottom.
Joe & Laing commenced an oven, the day I left; & were employed at it and quarrying during my absence.
MARCH 29.
Station routine.
MARCH 30.
2 men cutting hay, Mc & self riding Pilot & Jennette; as they had been out of hand for months; & were getting wild. Lewington shot 2 fine turkeys (more meat).
MARCH 31.
Same work.
APRIL 1.
As above.
APRIL 2.
Mc C & Laing fetched last of hay. Joe at wall (still)
Self ill.
APRIL 3.
Sunday.
APRIL 4.
Laing and self with team to marsh for timber; others same as usual.
APRIL 5.
From "Dig-down" to marsh, moved timber above flood tide & returned to "Dig-down" hands the same.
APRIL 6.
Returned to station with team. Hands the same as above p.m.
APRIL 7.
Usual work.
APRIL 8.
The same. Self after horses.
APRIL 9.
Men the same.
Mc & self cutting posts for shed, carting them & wood & water.
APRIL 10.
Sunday. Horse hunting; found bull with broken leg doing well.
APRIL 11.
Same work as usual.
APRIL 12.
Two hands at wall, a large piece of which fell in the night.
APRIL 13 & 14.
Men hunting stock, shoeing horses, fetching wood & water. Self in search of ram which Green had been compelled to leave the night before, too ill to walk; found him late; & carried him home a long way; & did what I could for him.
APRIL 15.
Horse hunting, quarrying stone, carting hay.
Withnell arrived at station at about 7 p.m.
Heard 1 gun from the "Ripple" at 8 p.m. previous night & would have gone down, had there been a second.
APRIL 16.
Went down with two horses & Withnall to render what assistance I could; as the poor fellow was much in need of some, after his heavy losses. Told McCourt & Green to start down with bullock dray & dingy at 2 p.m. Met flock of sheep south of marsh; men & sheep scarcely able to walk, or move, for want of water; left one horse with them & told one man to ride with their bucket 6 miles to Dig-down, & fetch water for others; which would not take him more than 3 hours; after some delay got on board "Sea Ripple", about 5 miles out from site of house; saw Cringle, bought 6 lbs of Tobacco, dined, borrowed some books; & went on shore after sundown; told Withnall to remain; & see the ship cleared of his goods; (as the Captain talked of starting early in the morning) & his wife & family landed. I returned to sheep & found them near Dig-down; men already there, in better spirits; & o only 3 sheep left by the way. McCourt & Green arrived with dray at the same time as I did.
APRIL 17.
Sunday. Went down to Inlet with Green, to look after 7 sheep left there; & write letter to Mr. Wellard; found 5 sheep dead in a heap, 1 dying & 1 strong. Two boats came on shore, one with Mrs. Withnall & children without breakfast; ora drop of water; & it blazing hot; poor little children crying for some. I told Mrs. Withnall the bullock dray was at the head of the marsh, with 8 gallons, of water, waiting for her, & the lost sheep about 2 miles off. I had a row with 2 of the sailors - one because he asked for water; & said the women could do as well without as he, (wrote a hasty letter) Collected traps together, put Mrs. Withnall's sister on one horse, with one child, carried the other; & gave Mrs. Withnall my horse with bundles on to lead; so off we went, the men following with such little things as they could carry. I may here remark that the crew of the "Sea Ripple", which I saw, were the greatest blackguards one can have any idea of; & looked more like the rakings of "hell" than decent sailors. I brought the horses up to feed as soon as possible; & the dray came in about 2 hours later; the whole party in much better spirits, at being, once more on terra firma, with plenty of water. -
APRIL 18.
Went down to Landing (marsh) with 4 hands, team & boat, with some difficulty raised flat, which had a habit of being submerged, on above high water mark. Returned with Hancock, with dray load of our timber, leaving McC with Withnall & 2 men to work boats. I then moved the party with belongings 1 mile above Dig-down to the nearest fresh water; as it was brakish (at the former).
APRIL 19.
Went down with Hancock & team to marsh, moved 3 loads of goods above high water, brought up last load, with 1 sheep fowls, ducks & provisions for party, & traps & utensils for women. Started for home sundown, which made rather a long day, as I had to ride 14 miles after the bullocks in the morning.
APRIL 20.
Joe & Laing had been at work on stone wall during my absence & also today. I sent Lewington down with 2 horses for Mc C & Withnall to come up when they could, Lewington to remain & work the boats till all the provisions were out of danger.
All horses mustered from lower run.
APRIL 21.
Men at work on pigsty. Self hunting stock.
APRIL 22.
Men the same work. Self after stock. Brought in 10 cows with calves, home. Withnall & Hancock came here with provisions to go in search of his horses. A large piece of our stone wall fell down at night, during the rain.
APRIL 23.
Withnall, Hancock & McCourt started with stallion, Bobby & Ney, after horses left by "Sea ripple" at Port Hedland. Men as previously & self attending to their wants. Went down to "Dig-down" with horse to assist Mrs. Withnall & family up to station; as the weather has the appearance of much rain; & they have no tent.
APRIL 24.
Sunday. Went down to marsh with 2 horses for dray, brought up such things as would be required with by Mrs. W. with much difficulty; as the horses were too weak.
APRIL 25.
Came home with women & traps; just in time to avoid a complete deluge of rain, which would have drenched them. Much of Joe's stone wall fell during the night.
APRIL 26.
Too much rain for working or stock hunting.
APRIL 27.
2 hands at stone work. Self hunting up stock; but could not cross the river; as it had risen about 10 feet. Heavy shower.
APRIL 28.
Started with 2 men to assist me in extricating any cattle, which might be bogged; as the plains had become very so soft, that one could scarcely walk through them the day previously; after crossing much water up to one's middle & neck, found the river still impassable. Sent the men home & started for "Dig-down", with the intention of looking to my own affairs; & the state of Withnall's party. Also hunting cattle en route, up the other side of river. -
APRIL 29.
Crossed river early, when I found a good breakfast very acceptable; as I had started quite unprepared for being out for the night. Finding party, bullocks, boats &c all right, came up & camped on the horse run. Found it rather too cool (cold) at night in only shirt & trousers.
APRIL 30.
After a good tramp round of inspection of stock, put them together, & returned home. It was well I was on foot as the country was too soft for a horse; though it dries quickly. –
MAY 1.
Sunday.
MAY 2.
Out on foot stock hunting.
MAY 3.
Men as before repairing porions of wall, which had fallen down. Seven days after the fall of rain the whole of the run was quite green.
MAY 4.
Out after cattle all looking very well, since the rain: & in fine grass. Lewington came home from Withnall's & reported that the flat had gone adrift.
MAY 5.
Went with Laing in search of flat, taking team with us to bring up dingy to Withnall's & 2 bags of flour home.
MAY 6.
Still searching for flat in all directions, down to Inlet without success.
(The only cargo boat).
Shot a native dog.
MAY 7.
Still searching.
MAY 8.
Sunday. Still looking, found today.
MAY 9.
Compelled to wait at "Dig-down" for team; as Sherlock had taken it up with flour without my consent.
MAY 10.
Brought up small boat & left her in river at camp. Bullocks feet very tender.
MAY 11.
Returned. During my absence men employed at wall; making a garden; & other work.
MAY 12.
Men the same. Self inspecting western run & looking at land. fine kangaroo brought in (kangaroos not too plentiful)
MAY 13.
Men as usual, self at work &c. Withnall's party returned after an unsuccessful search for horses. L brought in a kangaroo.
MAY 14.
As before Self & Mc at odd jobs.
MAY 15.
Sunday.
MAY 16.
Men as above. Mc at work shed. Self making nose boards.
MAY 17.
Same as usual.
MAY 18.
Men finished garden. Mc & self nose boarding calves; & looking out site for field.
MAY 19.
2 men on stone wall, repairing bullock dray, cutting handl for tools.
MAY 20.
Making tubs & tool handles.
MAY 21.
Men working,self writing.
MAY 22.
Sunday.
MAY 23.
Horse hunting. Mrs Withnall & sister left.
MAY 24.
Two men as above. McC started for plough at Withnall's, seed wheat & seeds. Self making up Nairn's things; & getting wood for harrow.
MAY 25.
Good water in well but not enough of it. All as above.
MAY 26.
Men tried for water in another place, not as good. Worked at old well. Self repairing churn &c.
MAY 27.
Men all employed. I lost most of the day making butter.
MAY 28.
Two men quarrying stone for floor of shed to shear on. I went out some miles with Nairn, feed very good and an abundance. L. went to Dig-down (Post Office).
MAY 30.
Men at usual work, cutting batterns for sheds. Self clearing out house, looking to provisions & other things; resalting beef, making butter.
MAY 31.
2 men as before. McC & self ploughing. Lewington brought in all horses. Sheep counted. 354 or 5, which is right with 3 dead & nine killed.
JUNE 1.
1 man digging trench to fold. 2 ploughing; 1 clearing bushes.
JUNE 2.
As above.
JUNE 3.
men as above. Self making a harrow. Lewington shot a turkey.
JUNE 4.
All employed. First ewe lambs.
JUNE 5.
Sunday.
JUNE 6.
2 men ploughing (First attempt to grow corn) Self cutting steps & blocks &c.
JUNE 7.
Men as above. Self seeking lost sheep; (not those of the house of Israel) but 2 with lambs. Lewington came home much hurt, from a severe fall with his horse.
JUNE 8.
1 man & self ploughing McCourt horse hunting ,& with cattle, Lewington ill. Laing at drains. Mooelingunn with lambs.
JUNE 9.
2 men at plough. Lewington the same. Self looking after lost sheep, butter & mare; measuring land.
JUNE 10.
Two men harrowing self sowing McC repairing saddles.
Lewington shot 2 turkeys at 1 shot.
JUNE 11.
Men as above. Attending to mare butter logs stools &c &c
JUNE 12.
Sunday 10 hours steady rain. (Lewington hurt in fall).
JUNE 13.
Lewington at work. Told him to let McCourt go; as he was more likely to find cattle; said he must have a fresh agreement at £2 per month. I told him to go, he was not worth it; that I should not bother myself any more about him, & he would be the last I should send home.
McC found cattle,early. Laing & self carting material for steps. Joe building them. I also finished hewing them.
Horses often seen & in of late. Much rain.
JUNE 14.
As per usual work.
JUNE 15.
As above.
JUNE 16.
“Mystery" arrived. All at work (multiplicity of duties).
JUNE 17.
Went to Harbour to receive stores from "Mystery".
June 18 -
JUNE 19,
Sunday.
JUNE 20, 21 & 22.
Boating & carting stores. Lost my revolver whilst horse hunting, having jerked it out of the case while galloping. (Never allow anyone unarmed)
JUNE 23.
Took man (Tucker) & a native to assist in looking for revolver, as it required every precaution; & was threatening rain; very difficult to track as my horse had frequently been over the same ground as the mob; also natives known to track backwards; (horses) he at last found it; had hidden it. I gave him 12 lbs of Flour, 1 lb of sugar, ½ lb of sheep Tobacco. Weighed up & returned dray load of stores to Withnall.
JUNE 25.
In search of cattle.
JUNE 26.
In search of horses.
JUNE 27.
Station work.
JUNE 28.
Men the same. Shepherds making close pens for lambs.
JUNE 29.
Men as usual; Joe with complete carelessness broke a double barrel gun. Natives reported arrival of ship, I started to put letters on board; met team, & found it was a mistake.
JUNE 30.
At work in garden & usual duties; Also Laing excavating for dairy. Connor & Yongulgarry minding ewes & lambs; but latter ran away. Counted sheep too many.
JULY 1.
All as usual.
JULY 2.
Same as before.
JULY 3.
Sunday.
JULY 4.
Same monotony.
JULY 5,6,7,8,9.
The same. Jack disabled.
JULY 10,11,12.
Usual routine. Making washing pen for sheep.
JULY 13, 14.
Work as before.
JULY 15.
All the party washing sheep.
JULY 16.
Same as above.
JULY 17.
Sunday.
JULY 18.
Shearing sheep.
JULY 19.
The same.
JULY 20.
Lewington working.
JULY 21.
Men all at work. "Mystery" arrived from DeGrey, W. & H. returned.
JULY 22.
Shearing lambs, making up wool.
JULY 23.
Started two drays to Bay, with wool & stores & 5 men. Made up store a/c for them Green gave up his flock, consisting of 520 sheep & lambs. The end of these so far.
JULY 24.
Sunday.
Albert with horses and cattle Connor with sheep
(Marginal Note: These were the working staff including the manager. W.S.H.)
JULY 29.
The same. Albert saw all the horses, but Dolly and Ney.
JULY 30.
McC and self gardening, carting, making aprons
JULY 31.
Sunday. Much rain.
AUG. 1.
McC and self carting rafters and battens for shed.
AUG. 2.
Trimming battens. Sheep count right.
AUG. 3.
McC and Self working at shed putting up tie beams &c All the horses brought in.
AUG. 4.
The same. Albert brought in a large kangaroo. 140 lbs.
AUG. 5.
The same. I went to Withnell's, at night, they having sent for me; as they were afraid their baby would die, up most of the night. The child being much better came home P.M.
AUG. 6.
(Blank)
AUG. 7.
Sunday.
AUG. 8.
Usual.
AUG. 9.
McC & self clearing out stores house &c & putting up bedsteads.
AUG. 10.
Refitting doors &c & covering roof with paulins, rain at night.
AUG. 11.
The same (work) & working at shed. The garden has produced beans, lettuce & radish.
AUG. 12.
Working same.
AUG. 13.
The same. Brought in horses, counted sheep.
AUG. 14.
Sunday.
AUG. 15.
Working at shed, a sheep found dead on the plain.
AUG. 16.
The same work, Albert after stray cattle. 3 left out.
AUG. 17.
Cuttings battens, carting and gardening, 3 beasts left out came in.
AUG. 18.
Finished battens etc Looking after four lost sheep with lambs. found 1 & 1 came home.
AUG. 19.
McC & self after two remaining lost sheep, found 1, 1 still out. Billy the native lost them.
AUG. 20.
Cutting grass for thatch, in garden.
AUG. 21.
Sunday It was today Yongal-garry brought in the sheep.
AUG. 22.
Cutting grass & thatch. watering garden etc. counted sheep.
AUG. 23.
Many natives about homestead, & in flat with spears; from their mode of proceeding I have every reason to believe they mean mischief; as they were playing with their spears in the flat & inviting the only two (men) in the house to (h) come & look at them; & Jacky came & asked for a gun; they were also seen pointing in the direction which all of us had gone.
AUG. 24.
I went up the river and brought in Ney, & saw the bulls & bullocks, & a few natives, who told me "to be off". I supposed they thought I was after them. I left McC, Albert & Tucker at home; (the two former stowed away) to give the natives a chance of attacking the house, but they thought better of it. At about sundown I went to Withnell's to let them know there was going to be a great muster of natives; (i) & put them on their guard; but Moolligunn had informed them previously. McC was also employed making cartridge pouches which I had cut out. The natives were also very anxious to know where every person was; & watched me from the top of a hill; & sent a boy with one spear to the house; which I have no doubt was meant for Tucker, if he gave them a chance to use it.
AUG. 25.
Returned home, shortly after which Jacky (native) told Albert that the natives were sulky on the 23rd, & were playing with their spears, merely as a ruse to get them down in the flat unarmed, when they would have made an attack on them. I believe what he said, & had told them to be on their guard, what they (the blacks) intended on the 23rd.
AUG. 26.
Mc employed the sane; & self helping him & in garden.
AUG. 27.
McC making cap pouches. Tucker & self cutting grass & attending to garden. Albert brought in all the horses & cattle and went down to Ws.
AUG. 28.
Sunday. I went up the river to see the bullocks; & what the blacks were about. When I returned McC went to Ws to shoe Bobby and Captain next morning.
AUG. 29.
Albert returned (with the cattle) McCourt also, self at work docking 23 lambs, repairing gate, tool handles etc. - Keeping a sharp eye on the blacks, as many strangers keep appearing, some of them intend mischief, I think when they have their great gathering; as they do not seem very well pleased & are frequently inquiring where all hands are; & reckoning us up among themselves. I think we shall be prepared for them, as the arms are at hand & in order, & we have a spy among them.
AUG. 30.
Docked 24 lambs, & branded 12 calves, in garden planting cabbages.
AUG. 31.
McC & Self looking up bull, & bullocks, & carting grass for thatch - several showers.
SEPT. 1.
Albert brought in bullocks with lame bull. McC & self preparing to kill bull, Jeannette shod, Tool handles made, Bull killed, very good meat.
SEPT. 2.
Salting meat, took much trouble to clear away appearances (of having killed) very early as any natives are about; & it might be the cause of them attacking the herd, which is now turned out. weight of bull 684 lbs (self in garden).
SEPT. 4.
Sunday.
SEPT. 5.
Resalting meat; & with Albert cutting thatch & watering garden.
SEPT. 6.
Usual.
SEPT. 7.
Mc & self thatching shed; Albert looking up Jinnette she having got away at night in hobbles, he brought her in with an emu, which the dogs killed.
SEPT. 8.
The same (work) Cattle mustered, counted sheep made 397 shorn sheep, & 165 docked young lambs.
SEPT. 9.
The same.
SEPT. 10.
Stock not found by Albert.
SEPT. 11.
(Tracking stock) Sunday, Mc & I found the horses & tracks of the cattle, towards W's went there & remained the night - As all the natives were below there.
SEPT. 12.
Lost cattle found.
SEPT. 13.
Usual work.
SEPT. 14.
Same. Sent McC to Ws with meat pig & things.
SEPT. 15.
Same work as usual.
SEPT. 16.
A brought in all cattle but 1 cow, also Ney. McC & Self at odd jobs at home, milking, making pickles watering garden etc etc.
SEPT. 17.
Mc & Self felling poles; All the horses but Nancy & foal brought in on our way home. Albert raising stone.
SEPT. 18.
Sunday. Mc C out but did not see Duchess (cow).
SEPT. 19.
Stock work.
SEPT. 20.
Same.
SEPT. 21.
Adding to garden fence where water has receded (other work)
Lost powder flask.
SEPT. 22.
McC after bullocks till noon. A & self raising stone, Mc & self cutting posts etc. for another shed. A as above.
SEPT. 23.
McC & A away with team to river pass, for timber, the latter saw all the horses & most of the cattle. Self felling poles, & mending hurdles near, & at home, as many natives are in the vicinity, & many strangers with them.
SEPT. 24.
Hunting stock, & preparing timber etc. McC employed with a few little affairs of his own. It was quite as well we were all at home most of the time day, as the natives mustered pretty strong.
SEPT. 25.
Sunday.
SEPT. 26.
SEPT. 27.
Lewington came up from "Mystery", & McC & I went down.
SEPT. 28.
Went on board "Mystery" in outer harbour & got goods on shore, found flat, too leaky to bring them up, so had to return for dinghy. Leaving McC & Taylor in "Mystery", left Harry in charge.
SEPT. 29.
Started dinghy dawn, waited till first load arrived, & returned home.
SEPT. 30.
Repaired dray & sent Lewington for stores. A after horses & cattle.
OCT. 1.
Albert after cattle not seen yesterday, (found them) Team came home up with new hands from "Mystery".
OCT. 2.
Sunday.
OCT. 3.
Mc & self making new body pole etc for dray. Tucker & Lewington cutting battens. a.m. & p.m. raising stone, A at odd jobs. Harry with ewes & lambs (native).
OCT. 4.
The same.
OCT. 5.
Same.
OCT. 6.
Two hands carting, 2 raising stone, & weighing up stores for sheep station. Self looking out site for camp. Downto W's for books & home.
OCT. 7.
Bullocks could not be found till late, when I started with hands to make hut, & yard for sheep, the shepherd, & native having started very early.
OCT. 8.
I brought up all the horses, as I required 2 to go on a short trip to examine the country between this & the Fortescu (River) We made a start at about 1 p.m. & slept 15 miles south, up the river, 3 men at work at sheep station, 2 at home.
OCT. 9.
Sunday.
OCT. 10.
A looked up cattle McC at shed T & L the same.
OCT. 11.
2 hands at shed & 2 at sheep station.
OCT. 12.
I came in from Maitland river about 27 miles. Having seen very little good feed, & that only round Table Hill, 15 miles s & on e bank of the Maitland where there is some extent. Albert looking up cattle McC & T at shed.
OCT. 13.
T & McC as above. A went with stray sheep in dray to station self writing.
OCT. 14.
Asaabove, A at odd work, self at sheep station; & after cattle, remaining to count sheep, yard too small, to hold them; told the 2 ......to enlarge it.
OCT. 15.
The same, A brought in all the cattle, self writing letters for "Mystery".
OCT. 16.
Sunday.
OCT. 17.
Usual work.
OCT. 18
Ditto.
OCT. 19.
McC 7 self started on bush trip (via W-s & sheep station) whenMr. Hird came up from "Mystery", so I returned home with him leaving McC to help W shear as he was short handed behind hand - T & A finished shed; & commenced excavating for kitchen.
OCT.20.
Men the same. Self with Mr. Hird, looking up cattle.
OCT. 21.
Went to sheep station with Mr. Hird & on to W-s. A went down with team & traps & provisions, for McC. T at home as above.
OCT. 22.
Waited late for horses, when we started with wool & two teams to cross marsh, as there were many hands to help at a bog, got across safely, bogged on return, & broke pole; as it was late turned team out & came to W-s.
OCT. 23.
Sunday.
OCT. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.
Same station routine.
OCT. 30.
Sunday.
OCT. 31.
Building stone kitchen with Tucker. A stock hunting.
NOV. 1.
The same, carting clay, dressing stone etc.
NOV. 2.
Making sledge & sorting staves for water casks, mixing mortar A with provisions to station; returned with 3 kangaroos leaving 2 there. L & Jacky having caught 5.
NOV. 3.
Same.
NOV. 4.
Making doors & window panes for kitchen.
NOV. 5.
The same.
NOV. 6.
Sunday.
NOV. 7.
Ditto.
NOV. 8.
Counted sheep, 587 with all docked lambs, (42 not cut) usual work remainder of day.
NOV. 9.
Building kitchen. Lewington with dogs killed 1 kangaroo & 2 native dogs.
NOV. 10.
Same.
NOV. 11.
Ditto.
NOV. 12.
NOV. 13.
Sunday.
NOV. 14.
work building. L. caught 2 kangaroos & an emu.
NOV. 15.
As above a.m.- p.m. went to station docked 47 lambs, & went down to W8s on account of ship's gun heard previous night at near 10 p.m.
NOV. 16.
Hunting cattle on way home, called at station.
NOV. 17.
Same.
NOV. 18.
Same.
NOV. 19.
No change.
NOV. 20.
Sunday.
NOV. 21.
Work as usual
NOV. 22.
Working. Sent for 2 bags of flour.
NOV. 23.
The same at a.m. Went to station p.m. counted sheep docked lambs. A returned with team & flour.
NOV. 24
The same, carting stone & water, A after cattle to station.
NOV. 25.
The same. L caught 2 small kangaroos, cattle not seen, as they have gone up river.
NOV. 26.
The same
NOV. 27.
Sunday. Found the 3 missing cattle after a long search.
NOV. 28.
Carting for kitchen.
NOV. 29.
At stone work. sent A to station to remain while L. hunted.
NOV. 30.
A came up with 11 teal & ducks, while out, & brought in Madam & calf, then the bullocks, & brought in wood & water, self & T at building.
DEC. 1.
T & self as before. A down to station with things wanted.
DEC. 2.
The same.
DEC. 3.
Same. shot 8 ducks & teal & fine kangaroo.
DEC. 5.
Work same.
DEC. 6.
No change.
DEC. 7.
Ditto.
DEC. 8.
Stock hunting.
DEC. 9.
Building. Stock hunting.
DEC. 10.
Work at building a.m. Went to station & docked 15 lambs, counted sheep etc. A working bullocks etc.
DEC. 11.
Two ships guns heard went down to Bay & on board "Tien Tsin"
Sunday.
DEC. 12.
Assisted to clear the ship of most of the sheep & returned with to W's with Knight & Lukin who wished much to see a little of the country, stock etc.
DEC. 13.
After waiting for saddle came home with Knight & Lukin - calling at station to see sheep with which they were much pleased.
DEC. 14.
Went up river to hunt up and show them cattle.
DEC. 15.
Went to Bay; & at last on board. Butcher told me all goods &c were landed belonging to station except 1 bag of potatoes. Returned to W's & waited for papers &c to W's.
DEC. 16.
sent dray for box, & waited for papers &c, when it could not be found.
DEC. 17.
Came home. by way of station, Tucker & Albert, since he came home on the 14 th, having been at work on building & odd jobs, & Lewington employed with drays for Mr. Taylor since the 14th.
DEC. 18.
Sunday. Dogs went out hunting by themselves, & A hearing them, brought in a very fine kangaroo.
DEC. 19.
Building. A after cattle.
DEC. 20.
The same. A saw all the cattle. Harry (native) shot 9 ducks & teal. "Aurifera" arrived.
DEC. 21.
The same. Lewington came home having carted Mr. T's goods to W's. A after horses After Albert brought in horses, (self) started for Bay to assist in unloading "Aurifera", telling A & L to follow as soon as possible with team.
DEC. 27.
Returned, all stock landed, found it very hard work, as the ship was 3 miles out -
DEC. 28.
Came home with Mr. Orkney & A -
DEC. 29.
Out to show him (Mr. Orkney) run & stock.
DEC. 30.
Went to W's with Mr. Orkney and showed him sheep by the way, horses at home, & returned home, Mr Orkney was much pleased with all he saw; & the sheep quite surprised and pleased him, as they could not look better.
DEC. 31.
At home not well, enough to work; as I have had rather too much of late. A mustered all stray cattle & T & L working bullocks. The "Aurifera" was to leave today.
1865.
JAN. 1.
Sunday.
JAN. 2.
At work at building. A took cattle down river. L clearing stones.
JAN. 3.
The same.
JAN. 4, 5, 6, 7.
Team came home with timber. Moderate rain.
JAN. 8.
Sunday.
JAN. 9.
Trimming plates & rafters. A looking up horses & Lockyer's mare & Fan with foal (colt) 2 days old, L cooking as Taylor's hand is bad.
JAN. 10.
Finished rafters and put plates on building. 2 hrs rain.
JAN. 11.
The same.
JAN. 12.
Topping up chimney. Taylor & A away with team for timber. Messrs Taylor,(j) Mount & parties here for night on way to Fortescue (River).
JAN. 13.
At work at chimney heavy rain made us leave off, p.m. it continued gently through the evening.
JAN. 14.
Same.
JAN. 15.
Sunday. went to station counted sheep.
JAN. 16.
Working at building.
JAN. 17.
Putting on battens. A ill L working bullocks.
JAN. 18.
Thatching etc.
JAN. 19.
Ditto.
JAN. 20.
Same. A caught a fine emu. Messrs Taylor's & Mounts' party returned unsuccessful.
JAN. 21.
Finished thatching. T & L putting bank round kitchen etc.
JAN. 22.
Sunday.
JAN. 23.
Comet seen.
JAN. 24.
Same.
JAN. 25.
Self at Taylor's & station, counted sheep, stonework finished
JAN. 26.
T. A. & self at odd work at home (stone wall, shoeing horse & salting meat &c) sent L to Taylor's to help dip sheep.
JAN. 27.
Went to Mr. Mount's camp and on to Jones's Creek, where we camped for the night, pools very small, only about 3 ft deep.
JAN. 28.
Ascended Mt. Wellard, & camped on "George" (River) where we found water from late rain, several fine showers during day; & at home a perfect deluge for about an hr.
JAN. 29.
Crossed from George springs to "Sherlock" (River) made it about 4 miles below "Kangan "Kanja"(k) and camped on fine pool 3 miles south w of Redhill.
JAN. 30.
Followed down river to Nairn's crossing, where the water was only about 3 ft deep; we only passed one pool en route — camped on plain east of Jonse's Creek.
JAN. 31.
Returned to Mount's camp, not having seen anything that would suit them, or many others; as the country is very dry, & not a good site for a house homestead in the whole distance travelled. -
FEB. 1.
Came home with Mr. M. (Men at work during absence).
FEB. 2,3,4,5.
Same routine. A looking after Lucy, as Mr. Mount wished to borrow a horse.
FEB. 6.
Same. L laid up with sore eyes. A could not find Lucy, so as Mr. M's business is pressing lent him Bobby for a trip to the DeGrey - Taylor very ill.
FEB. 7.
Usual work.
FEB. 8.
A & self as above. T making drain at stockyard, Mount started for DeGrey.
FEB. 9.
Same.
FEB. 10.
Work.
FEB. 11.
Felling and carting posts for stockyard, Harry (native) shot 10 ducks, much wanted.
FEB. 12.
Sunday. Native dog bit a lamb in front of house, had to kill it 36 lbs.
FEB. 13.
Counted sheep very carefully, 1 short, lost in moving flock home, present number 665, deficit 8. making sheep dip & fold very secure, as the sheep from some cause broke out of it at 3 a.m. luckily got them in safely.
FEB. 14.
W. & Mount returned with mare, left on Maitland. Same work.
FEB. 15 & 16.
Making Tobacco water &c &c.
FEB 17.
Dipping rams & worked at yard, A brought in cattle & bull for W - also bullocks for work.
FEB. 18.
Charring posts, sinking holes etc. 14 ducks shot.
FEB. 19.
Sunday. Killed a sheep which weighed 69 lbs.
FEB. 20, 21, 22.
The same - Mount, Withnell & Lockyer started for Fortescue (River) 4 ewes ill.
FEB. 23.
Finished yard. 4 sheep bad.
FEB. 24.
Hands as usual. Self out looking for a place to station sheep, should the very dry weather continue.
FEB. 26.
Two carting. L shot 2 Turkeys. Self writing.
- Sunday One of the sick ewes died.
FEB. 27.
Tucker, A. L working & hunting stock. Self writing; & also riding about plain to quieten Jeannette & find a place to sink a well, for shepherd Firefly's foal much worse, than when seen 10 days back.
FEB. 28.
A & self out on station; & Jeannette, to quiet them, & find cattle; cutting Yangedes. with T & A & Harry after stallion as he had broken loose. L shooting & cleaning out well.
MAR. 1.
Making hut for Connor (shepherd) on plain, as the feed is very short & dry about home. A carting. Killed the first wether weighed 50½ lbs. Counted sheep 665, with 10 imported A decrease of 10 of late. viz. 4 lost, 2 of which are lambs not docked, 1 ewe died, 3 wethers killed, 1 lamb bitten, which we used; & the wether weighed above.
MAR. 2.
3 hands & self clearing out sheep pool -
MAR. 3.
General work.
MAR. 4.
usual. Mount & W returned from Fortescue, I went to W's to see if L - Mount had returned from DeGrey.Sunday.
MAR. 5.
Returned.
MAR. 6.
Same work.
MAR. 7.
Same. Lewington shot 9 ducks.
MAR. 8.
As before.
MAR. 9.
The same. L. shot 15 ducks & 5 cockatoos.
MAR. 10.
Tucker at stone work. A after cattle, L – cleaning guns. Harry (black) shot 9 teal & 6 cockatoos, Self writing.
MAR. 11.
Usual work, preparing for trip to flat.
MAR. 12.
Sunday. Took 2 days to clean flat, & turn her over &c.
MAR. 16.
Returned to W's.
MAR. 17.
Came home.
MAR. 18.
Same as usual, during my absence. Self down to Taylor's to see about repairs of saddle books etc. –
MAR. 19.
Sunday.
MAR. 20.
Two at wall. A with bullocks & self up river looking up cattle and horses; & also to make further examination for sheep station; as this is too dry for lambs; & 8 sheep are now bad from dry feed, & hot weather. Mr. Mount returned from DeGrey with(person named) Mann.
MAR. 21.
Carting stone & at wall, stock hunting &c.
MAR. 22.
Sent sheep up river & took L and A to assist in making fold & hut. Tucker at wall. Mr. Taylor returned from trip – & found a heifer dead in the bush.
MAR. 23.
The same.
MAR. 24.
Tucker finished wall, A working bullocks. L at sheep station.
MAR. 25.
Went with sick sheep in dray to station, H came with ewes & lambs. A after horses Tucker at odd work.
MAR. 26.
Sunday.
MAR. 27.
Horse hunting, found remains of Firefly's foal & 2 rams.
MAR. 28.
Same.
MAR. 29.
Same.
MAR. 30.
F & L - Mount, & Mann left this for the "Ashburton" River also Taylor & party exploring southwards.
MAR. 31.
No change.
APRIL. 1.
Carpentering and making up stores for station.
APRIL 2.
Sunday. Went down to "Tien Tsin", when on board, passengers came to me from the "Maria Ross" with directions to assist them.
APRIL 3.to 8.
Landing stores, sheep &c from the "Maria Ross". "Tien Tsin" sailed at 11 p.m. 7th.
APRIL 9.
"Kestrell" arrived.
APRIL 10.
Landing sheep from her.
APRIL 11.
When about to return, heard that Middleton's sheep could not be brought to water, without my assistance, which detained me
APRIL 12.
Mare broke loose & went off with her tether last night self after her; did not find her. Albert carting many people's stores of late. Tucker with ewes and lambs as they required much care; & we have lost many of late, owing heat and drought. Taylor at work at Bay - when T-was cook.
APRIL 13.
Self after mare. A finished carting.
APRIL 14.
After mare. A came home with team & stores.
APRIL 15.
A. Jacky & self after mare, with 3 horses, foal came to where A was camped with mares & foals.
APRIL 16.
Sunday. Same after mare, found her caught by her rope in rocks in the hills, tracked her up with difficulty she had been 116 hours without water; & was in a very reduced state, bathed her and gave her small drinks, at intervals of 2 hrs 7 some hay.
APRIL 17.
Jeannette being much improved & able to feed, brought her to the "Bullrush" where the feed is green.
APRIL 18.
Went twice to lamb station & docked 94 lambs.
APRIL 19.
Moving stock.
APRIL 20.
Clearing sheep pool etc, mustering ewes & lambs.
APRIL 21.
The same, self to outstation.
APRIL 22.
Same
APRIL 23
Sunday.
APRIL 24.
Same.
APRIL 25.
Started with 6 others (who are looking for runs) for "Table Hill" to find fresh runs for sheep.
APRIL 26.
With Mr. Darling examining much country.
APRIL 27.
The same & home.
APRIL 28.
Started shepherd (Connor) with dry sheep; & Lewington with young lambs & ewes. Counted both lots C - 588, from which we drew off 5, leaving 583, & 98 lambs. Lewington's lot was 71 ewes & 54 lambs etc.
APRIL 29.
Started with team & hands to make station for sheep; & take them to place.
APRIL 30.
Sunday. Arrived at camping ground.
MAY 1.
Making yard.
MAY 2.
Finished yard & cut timber for hut. Lewington came up with ewes & young lambs; although I had told him, & sent by A to tell him he was not to move them till I sent for them, sheep came in empty and lambs very tired; as he had driven them much faster than we had the sheep. He found one ewe dead by the way lost by Connor.
MAY 3.
Finished Hut; lams pen etc etc & came home with Tucker at 9 p.m. Lewington caught a fine kangaroo & almost broke his leg. Counted 657 sheep 156 lambs.
MAY 4.
Very ill, but went to Ws to try & get stores, with Mr. Darling who had remained with Taylor at home, while we were all out.
MAY 5.
Returned as far as McCourt's camp.
MAY 6.
Came home early. Men at work.
MAY 7.
Sunday.
MAY 8.
T. L. & A with team to Bullrush pool, the 2 former to remain & cut rails; & A to go to Middleton with team, for the use of which, he will give me flour.
MAY 9.
All the men out at station and felling rails.
Barque "Douglas" arrived yesterday & I went down to W's at p.m.
MAY 10.
Went to Port & helped land stock - left A in charge.
MAY 11.
The same & returned to W's.
MAY 12.
Came home.
MAY 13.
Went to sheep station. Timber cutters came home.
MAY 14.
Sunday. Went to see to goods per "Douglas".
MAY 15.
As McLeod has lost 100 sheep, went in search of them most of the day. 5 were found. put blacks on.
MAY 16.
Came home with Mr Hooley to cut colts.
MAY 17.
Cut 5 colts & branded them & 5 fillies, hurt my hand.
MAY 18.
Out with Hooley to see colts, found them doing well, A after horses. T. raising stone.
MAY 19.
Hearing a large ship the "Warrior" had arrived went to W's. T at stonework A on holiday -
MAY 20.
Went on board "Warrior"at 9 p.m., too dark & too rough to be safe. Light rain at midnight.
MAY 21.
Sunday.
MAY 22.
Assisted Mr. Broadhurst (Charles) with sheep.
MAY 23.
Came home.
MAY 24.
Out to station.
MAY 25.
Docked 70 lambs (44 rams & 26 ewes) Counted flock, made 655 (one short & 1 dead) Brought in horses & came home, as Connor's time is up gave him a few days leave.
MAY 26.
Wrote to Mr. J. Wellard & took letter to W's to post per "Warrior".
MAY 27.
Went to Bay, could not get on board till 9 p.m. very rough & dark.
MAY 28.
Wind bound on board. Sunday.
MAY 29.
Came on shre and lent a hand with sheep & started up with Mr. Broadhurst.
MAY 27.
Went with A & bullock team to bring Mrs. Wedge & family up from marsh. got all the bullocks bogged several times.
MAY 28.
Sunday. Went to marsh to give order to Smith in payment for goods bought 27th.
MAY 29.
Went down to Marsh for Mrs. Broadhurst & family with A & team, brought a load up as they had not landed.
MAY 30.
Brought up Mrs. Broadhurst & family.
MAY 30. (obviously intended to be 31)
Loaded for home, but could not find team.
JUNE 1.
Started homewith 2 bullocks. Mount & party here for the night; (They are) en route for Ashburton.
JUNE 2.
As Mount's horses had strayed sent T. & A & native after them, & horses up the river. Sent stores to sheep station &c &c - Tucker quarrying stone & at other work while I was away.
JUNE 3.
Same routine.
JUNE 4.
Sunday.
JUNE 5.
T as above A driving team, Taylor & self cutting logs for fence. Lewington at cooking etc.
JUNE 6.
As above.
JUNE 7.
The same.
JUNE 8.
Same - Self to outstation with provisions.
JUNE 9.
Men & A clearing spring, Self counted sheep (655), which is 1 short, docked 5 lambs, moved shepherd's traps to better feed & came home.
JUNE 10.
2 men at Spring garden, self at old one. A after cattle L shot 5 ducks.
JUNE 11.
Sunday,
JUNE 12.
Two & self at garden, A - cattle brought & 2 kangaroos.
JUNE 13.
A & self brought in 48 head of cattle & horses - men making another stye.
JUNE 14.
Same work.
JUNE 15.
Horses (hunted up).
JUNE 16.
Garden etc.
JUNE 17.
Same work.
JUNE 18.
Sunday. "Mystery" arrived.
JUNE 19.
Went to Mt. Well Welcome with L - p.m. for stores.
JUNE 20.
Went down to "Mystery" with Dr Bompas to find out what time the "Mystery" would return
JUNE 21.
Returned, had to went for Mr. McLeod for stores, as he was ill, & did not come to appointment, "Mystery" left.
JUNE 22.
Came home.
JUNE 23.
Work as usual.
JUNE 24.
Same. Shoeing horses, & garden. Harry came down from out station, & reports three lambs killed by wild dogs.
JUNE 25.
Sunday, Went up river to show Mr McLeod the road, & looking after his lost sheep on way home.
JUNE 27.
Marked all sheep & lambs; & went out with Tucker & found a beautiful safe, & in every way suitable place, to move them to.
JUNE 28.
Moved flock & traps out sixteen miles to Darling Peak, & returned to Taylor's.
JUNE 29.
Could not find horses till near noon, when we returned home. The flock with all lambs, rams &c now amount to 823, three of which are not docked. - I think more jumped out of the yard than I counted, C said they did.
JUNE 30.
Two men raising stone. A brought in 39 head of cattle. Self looking after Saucy.
JULY 1.
Two men clearing well ; & repairing roof. A with cattle, etc, after others. Self looking after Saucy, other horses, &c to the Doctor for advice.
JULY 2.
Sunday. came home.
JULY 3.
Two men raising stone, self horse hunting, A looking for cattle, 43 head in.
JULY 4.
2 lads after stray cattle, & self, & Tucker putting stores in order; & other odd work,
JULY 5.
Tucker & self making nose boards, lads as above. Self taken very ill p.m.
JULY 6.
T repairing stock yard. L with cattle A - to Dr for me.
JULY 7.
T at odd jobs - A after stray cattle.
JULY 8.
The same
JULY 9.
Sunday.
JULY 10.
Sent T to Doctor as I was nearly out of medecine; & little better. A at odd work with bullocks &c
JULY 11.
Tucker cutting wood for garden gates. A to sheep station with provisions & told to remain there the day.
JULY 12.
T making gates.
JULY 13.
The same. A did not return, as he lent Mr. McLeod his horse & went in search of McL's.
JULY 14.
T the same. A - & Mount's party returned from Ashburton.
JULY 15.
T mostly at garden and odd work.
JULY 16.
Sunday. A for medecine.
JULY 17.
A returned in search of horses. T attending to Pock for Mr McLeod as I may have to purchase it; & other little jobs.
JULY 18.
Usual. A brought in horses & took Lockyer's mare up river etc,
JULY 19.
Same work.
JULY 20.
A brought in Jeannette, & afterwards 4 horses, for McLeod, to rid us of his stallion. T planting cabbage.
JULY 21.
T & A working bullocks a.m. - p.m. T laying floor in house, A out with bullocks & MCL's horses.
JULY 22.
Tucker same. A brought in Bobby & Ney as the former's back wants attending.
JULY 23.
Sunday.
JULY 24.
Tucker laying floor. A with provisions to sheep station. -
JULY 25.
T & Taylor & L. cutting & branding calves. The first work I have done for 3 weeks since being ill. A returned from sheep station.
JULY 26.
Station T laying floor. A & self making noseboards; & etc last break too easily.
JULY 27.
Branding some of the first cattle calved here; which either were omitted before, or the brand had become indistinct. (Other work).
JULY 28.
Self up to sheep station. Tucker a floors. A sinking water holes for garden.
JULY 29.
Returned. Men at work.
JULY 30.
Sunday.
JULY 31.
Went for stores & to see Dr. Men as before.
AUG. 1.
Branding & other work, all hands.
AUG. 2.
Usual work.
AUG. 3.
Same.
AUG. 4, 5.
Same work a.m. & p.m. down to Mt. Welcome (l) for boots & clothing for; as I have none.
AUG. 6.
Came home. Sunday.
AUG. 7.
Went to sheep station with Tucker with provisions. Men at work 1 sheep dead.
AUG. 8.
Moved sheep & traps into last camp 6 miles, after searching all morning for a better place.
AUG. 9.
Counted sheep & looking for pool to wash (wool) in & examined river all the way home. -
AUG. 10.
Tucker & self attending to garden.
AUG. 11.
Trimming rails. Self writing, & up to sheep station to count sheep & fetch Connor (shepherd).
AUG. 12.
T the same; & preparing for party to gogoing A after bullocks & down with team, self home writing & to Mr. Welcome.
AUG. 13.
Remained at Mt. Welcome as "Mystery" would not be ready for water. Sunday.
AUG. 14.
Sent team with Tucker, Albert Connor & provisions & water to marsh.
AUG. 15.
Loaded with flour & many articles bought & came home -
AUG. 16.
Shod horse & went to sheep station Tucker trimming rails & at garden.
AUG. 17.
Counted sheep & returned.
AUG. 18.
Tucker collecting things & making up provisions for sheep washing.
AUG. 19.
Working at all sorts of small jobs; & making up cattle account.
AUG. 20.
Sunday.
AUG. 21.
Went with Tucker & team up to sheep station to wash flock.
AUG. 22.
Making pens.
AUG. 23.
The same.
AUG. 24.
Fixing washing pens & cutting drains.
AUG. 25.
Washing sheep.
AUG. 26.
The same.
AUG. 27.
Sundays. Townbery broke his arm.
AUG. 28.
Sent T home with team & traps. Started home with flock with L - & A - as I wished them to travel slowly and feed well - Met Tucker at Fist Pool; & cut a load of poles while sheep laid up.
AUG. 29.
Came to Tucker Pool where I left them with L and A & came on to prepare a place for shearing.
AUG. 30.
Cleared yards, fixed pens &c.
AUG 31.
(Preparations) Cutting boughs to put under sheep, preparing bales & many other jobs.
SEPT. 1.
Commenced shearing with T & L only. (about 10½ hours) find it slow as the wool is dirty.
SEPT. 2.
The same.
SEPT. 3.
Sunday.
SEPT. 4.
Middleton & Withnell came to help shear.
SEPT. 5. 6. 7.
The same.
SEPT. 8.
Middleton returned.
SEPT. 9.
The same -
SEPT. 10.
Sunday. Self out cattle hunting, saw many of them & Smoky with calf 2 days old -
SEPT. 11.
As above.
SEPT. 12.
Finished early.
SEPT. 13.
W went home, we cleared up. Mr M & MCLeod made up fleeces.
SEPT. 14.
Treading wool, for which we had not packs before, marking same.
SEPT. 15.
Stowing wool in shed. Mending paulin, cleaning well, shoeing horses. Lewington returned, having had a holiday.
SEPT. 16.
Counted sheep made 821, & 6 young lambs, Thirgood carting rails, Tucker trimming same, Sent Harry & L up river with sheep, went up W. branch, after cattle & to Taylor's camp.
SEPT. 17.
Travelled to Mount's, Sunday,
SEPT. 18.
Men the same, self up George River(in search of green feed for ewes lambing) to Grant's and above King Pyramid & back to Mounts'.
SEPT. 19.
To Middleton's, & many places, men went to help Withnell shear yesterday p.m.
SEPT. 20.
Came home new cut, found one place would do for ewes.
SEPT. 21.
Went to Mt. Welcome. hearing W was short of men, & to look at lower sheep camp, sheared half a day.
SEPT. 22.
Returned & went up river horse & cattle hunting, & to see flock. Slept at camp.
SEPT. 23.
Same - stock much scattered.
SEPT. 24.
Sunday.
SEPT. 25.
Preparing to start to George River with ewe flock -
SEPT. 26.
Drawing off 334 ewes, taking them up river, after stray sheep on plain.
SEPT. 27.
Wedged wheels of dray,; & started to Geradalla, where sheep were at noon. Started for George at 3 p.m. & camped at Middleton Pass.
SEPT. 28.
Travelled to Indernooler by noon 7 ms.
SEPT. 29.
Went to Middleton's at noon, p.m. counted sheep, & drove to Mt. Wellard, 1 sheep short.
SEPT. 30.
Went to "Duck Pond" 7 ms.
OCT. 1.
Drove to camp 4½ ms. Sunday.
OCT. 2.
Made yard - & went to Pyramid Station.
OCT. 3.
With team to Jones' Creek.
OCT. 4.
Started at 4 p.m. & came to Mt. Welcome at 6 a.m. 24 ms.
OCT. 5.
Rested team.
OCT. 6.
Came home & out after horses. Tucker came back home from shearing, & Taylor whose time is up remained, having cooked for Taylor's party.
OCT. 7.
Horse hunting. Tucker washing up, making brine etc. Thurgood to Mt Welcome for boots. -
OCT. 8.
Sunday.
OCT. 9.
Putting up things for party going with sheep; & down to Mt. Welcome for letters - Taylor after bullocks.
OCT. 1O.
Down to "Mystery" to see Headland.
OCT. 11.
(returned)
OCT. 12.
Out cattle hunting & to look for runs for sheep, as the country is so dry owing to the long drought, that they will require often moving. Camped at upper river - Gorge.
OCT. 13.
Cattle hunting at "Table Hill", & many miles, mustered 32 head, & camped at "Darling Peak". Suppose some cattle to be at lower run.
OCT. 14.
Travelled the range came out at Mt. Wellard, & camped at sheep station near "King Pyramid".
OCT. 15.
Sunday. Moved traps, & sheep, after having found a splendid place, with plenty of water, & a great extent of green feed. Sheep doing well, 100 lambs down, 5 dead & 113 per cent with twins. Spent the night at Pyramid station -
OCT. 16.
Called at Mounts' on business (rams &c) & camped at "Sherlock" River "Rocket Pool", - (m)
OCT. 17.
Followed river up about 5 ms to "Lake Plenty", & on about 9 ms - country not being good, returned to "Rocket Pool"
OCT. 18.
down river to about 20 ms - to springs & "Fish Pond" -
OCT. 19.
continued down river on eastern channel struck across well grassed plain to coast, & inland to near Hunt's Pass, & back to previous camp, found much good dry feed, but no water, all day & sun blazing hot.
OCT. 20.
Made a long days journey back to "Mt Welcome", by about 8 p.m.
OCT. 21.
Returned home. Tucker had seen 14 head of cattle on lower run, while I was out, making 46 head out of 60, or more. I hope the natives have not speared any; but the long drought; & few hands, give them 4 good chance. Two men employed carting wool & rails.
OCT. 22.
Sunday.
Mr. McLeod went to "Mt. Welcome", having heard that the natives had speared one or two heifers.
OCT. 23.
Wedging wheels, & shoeing, sent Taylor for wool press.
OCT. 24.
Cattle hunting.
OCT. 25.
The same.
OCT. 26.
Came home with 27 heed (making 40 in all).
OCT. 27.
Making up rations for out station, started out with Mr. Mount, slept at Middleton's, Left Bob & Jacky to collect cattle.
OCT. 28.
Went to Mounts' & on to station to deliver 6 rams; & see sheep.
OCT. 29.
Sunday. Went to Anderson's to borrow tools to put up yards, hut &c, finding sheep much in want of it.
OCT. 30.
Same.
OCT. 31.
Blind pens.
NOV. 1.
Put up hut.
NOV. 2.
Docked 132 lambs, out of 219, of which 17 had died & 19 were twins, counted sheep. short 4 or 5; last number, 818 of which 6 rams & 3 wethers were sold; & 2 wethers were k killed, 1 lost,going over, from L's flock, 12 in all of the 818, should be 806.
NOV. 3.
Came to Middleton's.
NOV. 4.
Came home. Found Bob & Jacky had collected cattle; & keeping Taylor just returned from pressing wool. Tucker keeping house.
NOV. 5.
Sunday.
NOV. 6.
Same Out horse hunting, Taylor working bullocks.
NOV. 7.
made cattle right in number; branded calves, 58 stock, & 11 calves. shod horses
NOV. 8.
Went to see about wool, Provisions & Order from Mount;
NOV. 9.
Balanced account, with W & Mount, & stowed wool.
NOV. 10.
Home for breakfast; & started Bob & Jacky out with provisions to station.
NOV. 11.
News of arrival of "Mystery" making up a/cs,
NOV. 12.
Sunday. Nairn came yesterday;& went to Middleton's today.
NOV. 13.
Writing.
NOV. 14.
The same, & to W's with letters, when to my surprise the "Mystery" & left many hours before. Mr. Nairn had Jeannette to Middleton's, & Ney from there in, Bob brought back the mare; & she f the same night; & Ney returned late today quite knocked up, so that I had to turn him out at "Dig Down", & got as far as the marsh on foot, when I saw the return party from "Mystery" & came back. Nairn told Miller he did not wish me to go up this time; & for that reason, I suppose sent Ney home without a note or message.
NOV. 15.
Could not start with Ney.
NOV. 16.
Came home slowly as Ney was too bad to travel.
NOV. 17.
Preparing to kill beast; but as customers did not come, obliged to defer it till next day. (n) let young steer go; & determined to kill Ploughboy; as he is quite too heavy, for the country & slow; an odd bullock; & the 3 steers will be of more value for work.
NOV. 18.
Killed bullock (weight 850 lbs) Spent most of the night with L cutting & salting meat -
NOV. 19.
Sunday, Clearing up & attending to meat.
NOV. 20.
Thought it was Sunday till late; & only resalted meat; & sent for horses to go to station.
NOV. 21.
Horse hunting.
NOV. 22.
Went to Middleton's on way to station, M very ill, self also.
NOV. 23.
Too ill to travel most day. Went out to Grants' at sundown.
NOV. 24.
Rode out to look at feed; & see if sheep required moving, found plenty of feed.
NOV. 25.
To Grant's for axe, & hearing Middleton was much worse; & did not expect to live, went to see him. "Note of Kestrel"
NOV. 26.
Sunday remained with Middleton as he was still very bad; & returned to Grant's late.
NOV. 27.
To station, & repairing yard, & .... off dry sheep; arranged affairs with men; & left at 8 pm. for Middleton's.
NOV. 28.
Home, & to Mt. Welcome with team & traps, blacks etc.
NOV. 29.
On board “Kestrel for passages, wool etc.
NOV. 30.
Returned to Mt. W -
DEC. 2.
Out to station, with Dr. Bompas
DEC. 3.
Returned to Mt. Welcome. Sunday.
DEC. 4 & 5.
Settling a/cs. From this time employed taking down wool, bringing up stores
DEC. 9
"Kestrel" sailed 9 a.m. for Fremantle.