1946

Summary

The heat was intense this year it was the worst summer that I can remember. Mosquitoes were very numerous and bites were plentiful. Nematodes gave me problems in growing my papaws. During the year I continued having health problems and getting attack s such as achy limbs, headaches, tiredness and nervy turns and I couldn t tolerate the heat at all. I missed Herb when he went away with Reg to Brisbane for a fortnight end of February , he returned on 13th March. 12th June Irwin arrived back home from the army. In June Ken and Elsie arrived for a holiday and on the 26th June they visited Charley and Ken put the wireless in place for him. 2nd July Ken and Elsie visited Mount Morgan. 29th July I received a letter from Martha saying that Ted had passe d away. In September I kept pumping the well out and I was short of water for my crops so they did not do very well. I made up a frame for mat making. I continued working for other people and I also started building a cottage for John and Iris at Emu Park. I went often to auction sales and I bought buildings for removal from the army as well as from the gardens. Later in the year I was also looking at land to buy at Emu Park. I improved the cottage during the year I also rented it out as a holiday cottage.

1-1--: I fixed a saw of Bakers, it was very out of straight and I brought it back to a fair degree of straightness. I rested the rest of the day, reading etc.
2-1--: I went to the barber and also paid my rates, went to the police and came out by the 12 oclock bus. A nasty hot day.
3-1--: I got a letter to the police at Yaamba in connection with Harle. I also got a bit of a wall done to stop the rain coming in on the bench upstairs. The sun comes out awfully hot. I had a lot of ripping to do and was jolly tired by the time I had finished.
4-1--: I picked 2 dozen New Guinea beans, made a shelf and small printing frame. It was so hot it has me done in.
5-1--: I worked at Harry Wrests old hand saw it is the worst I have ever tackled. I got it on the handle, but not fast also got another handle cut out and almost finished.
6-1--: Reg went to Yeppoon yesterday. Rockhampton had the hottest day this summer today. It was simply awful. Big storm raged around us. We got a few points of rain.
7-1--: I did a bit of hoeing, put the handle in Wests saw and rubbed more rust off the blade. We are now getting small showers of rain and it's now a little cooler.
8-1--: I hoed and planted a banana that we brought home from the Park. Finished Harry Wests saw. Started 10 holes for papaw plants.
9-1--: Worked at a yoke that came with the stuff from Lysaghts. I put out 11 papaw plants, afraid nematodes are attached to their roots. It seems that we are not to grow anything.
10-1-: Hoed and worked at another saw blade. Afternoon we went and got the fowl manure from the railway station freight was 7/9 last time. This time 8/6d.
11-1-: Picked 20 lb of New Guinea beans. Fixed up the fowl manure, also worked at a chair I am making to my own idea. Frank messed things up by being carried on to town by people giving him a lift.
12-1-: I dug places and put out 7 papaws, weeded strawberries, watered other papaws. Finished putting the chair together it is now ready for the canvas. Weather a bit muggy. We should have rain shortly.
13-1-: Commenced to rain this morning. And looking promising. Continued throughout the day, must have got a couple of inches.
14-1-: I put out 80 papaws and started to prepare for fertilising pineapples.
15-1-: I hoed pines and weeded strawberries. We had about 2 1/4 inches of rain. We expect more before very long. We badly need the creek to run a banker to replenish our well supply,
16-1-: I watered the papaw plants. I had planted and watered 30 more. Weather is unsettled, not very much indication of rain so far.
17-1-: Light showers fell today. I caught the train.
18-1-: Spent the day at the Park.
19-1-: At the Park, I was with Arthur O Donnell. Brays went home.
20-1-: Still at Emu Park. Was Grace and family came in to the house.
21-1-: I had my second dip since I came down. Daisy came down and I came up to town with her. I slept at Hickmans.
22-1-: I stayed at Hickmans till after dinner when Reg came in for me. Pulled grass out from amongst carnations.
23-1-: We went to the sale of army buildings. Planted out 10 papaws.
24-1-: Gave some fertiliser to pines. Pulled grass out of beans and papaws, planted papaw seeds from New Guinea. Very hot today sweat runs in to my eyes and makes them sore. Foxes got 4 fowls.
25-1-: I put a handle on a saw. It was far too hot for me to work out side. The thermometer was up to 100ƒ at 4 oclock. It is a fair swelterer all right must be more rain coming.
26-1-: Reg and I rode bikes to Red Hill and bought material. It was awfully hot the Red Cross charged 6 d for a glass of tea and 6 d for a small glass of cordial, drinks awful prices.
27-1-: I spent the day at Hickmans. It was a bit cooler but I was very tired from yesterdays outing.
28-1-: Reg and I went to the Park and had a good bathe. Came back and rode our bikes home. Had a restless night and felt not too good as morning came along.
29-1-: I rode the bike to Park Avenue with the keys I found Saturday got 2/ 6 reward. Paid for the building material I bought Saturday, saw Daisy.
30-1-: Went after the sale material. Got one tent frame down and carted. It was rather hot day and hard work. Got home and unloaded by about 7.30.
31-1-: We pulled down the large tent frame. Syd brought a load out. We were very tired when we got home.
1-2--: Made a stand to put timber on. Afternoon we went and got the rest of the second building away. It was very hot work and of course we arrived home very tired.
2-2--: We rested all day as much as possible it being a hot day again. Mosquitoes are very numerous and bites are plentiful.
3-2--: Kept close to the house, hot and miserable all day. Reg went away yesterday perhaps to Yeppoon perhaps not.
4-2--: Spent a bad night mosquitoes and heat being the trouble. Herb, Reg and I went and almost got the mens shower pulled down. It is awfully hot working.
5-2--: Stacked timber and made another stand. Reg and Herb rode the bikes down the road to go in with Lonnie for a load of material. They got here bout 7.
6-2--: The weather looks brighter. Reg did a good bit of ploughing. We others hoed pines. It was quite hot again today. A further lot of rain is predicted. They say sunspots are affecting the weather.
7-2--: Worked among the pines also grubbed shrubs out of the land. Reg ploughed yesterday. A drizzle of rain came on and I fancy it is going to rain some.
8-2--: Push hoed pines. After an early dinner we went over to the camp and pulled down more material. Finished the shower building and got away 1 hut and some of the 5/- one. We were all very tired by time we got home and unloaded.
9-2--: Cleaned up some of the pines etc. Mid day it came on to rain. Put out tomato plants Reg went to town we had intended to go to the Park but owing to the weather I decided to stay home.
10-2-: Rain has been falling by spasms and it looks as though we could get a fair amount.
11-2-: Bill Mark died. Worked among the rosellas and I pulled weeds from among a row of pines. Started to hoe a piece of land for strawberries. We also did a bit of cement work to the reservoir. Reg has been ploughing for several days.
12-2-: I hoed at a piece of land to be ploughed for strawberries. Afternoon we went and put in a strenuous time getting the rest of our stuff from the campsite. We got it all away and got here late and very tired.
13-2-: I was so tired from yesterday that I rested all the morning. Afternoon I went at knocking sections of building apart.
14-2-: I put in the morning taking the sections of Masonite apart. Afternoon I rode to town. Went and saw Jack Abel and got a job fixing up his house.
15-2-: I went to Emu Park. Had meal with O Donnell went for a swim.
16-2-: Had a walk to the trap and got 3 crabs. Had another bathe and read, Reg came down.
17-2-: I didnt go anywhere today, as I was very tired after yesterdays trip to the trap.
18-2-: We went and had a bathe and I got 3 banana suckers from Thwaites, gave 1 to O Donnell. We came home Reg got 2 crabs and left 1 for John Hickman.
19-2-: Hoed pines and got stuff ready for Arthur O Donnell. We seem to have come back to a heat wave.
20-2-: I am feeling off colour on account of the heat. Afternoon we went to Abels and measured up what timber I want for his job and Herb and Reg went and took photos. I developed 2 plates I exposed in the T. P. camera.
21-2-: I commenced to make a fowl shelter it was so hot none of us could keep to work.
22-2-: Went to town got £2 from Grace bought a rolling pin from Wests 2/ -.
23-2-: Reg and I went to the Mount and I met Ted McDonald and he paid me for the window. I also got the 7/- from Halberstater, we saw Hempenstall and the chap we got Teds wireless from. It was very hot.
24-2-: I felt tired from yesterday. Reg went to town and most likely to Yeppoon.
25-2-: I put the roof on the fowl house and made a gate frame for it.
26-2-: I finished the gate and hung it, also did a good deal more to the job. Got very tired by 5 oclock and came in, Reg did some ploughing. Frank pulled some framework to pieces. It was another very muggy day.
27-2-: Herb went to Brisbane with Reg. Frank and I worked at the fowl run and pumped water.
28-2-: Took netting off and worked at the fowl house. It is pretty well finished now. Afternoon I made a stand for Masonite and we got 20 sheets stacked on it.
1-3--: Finished stacking the Masonite sheets. There now is equal to 50 sheets on the stack.
2-3--: We planted out the rest of the tomato plants that were in the fowl run, also put cement under the fowl run gate.
3-3--: Was a sort of rainy day and we all stayed at home reading any thing we could dig up.
4-3--: I started to construct myself a dark room. I have it about half built and as I am very tired I have left it until tomorrow. I think I did pretty well today, rainy day.
5-3--: I worked more at the dark room, pulled grass from papaw plants.
6-3--: Sowed tomato seed. lettuce and milo. Put in the second window and worked at fixing the door. I also put out 2 rows of strawberry plants. Sowed 2 lots of papaw seeds and beet seed.
7-3--: I walked across to Briggs and pulled 600 suckers. I was back home by 9. 30, I went up before 7 and worked fast.
8-3--: I did a bit to the dark room and pronged round tomato plants. I also worked at the accordion case. Harry West came and got his saw. I charged him 11/- for work on it.
9-3--: I didnt do much today it being too hot. I did a little to the accordion case for Mrs Briggs.
10-3-: Very hot day and we rested and read what we could find. Started letters to Irwin and Ken. Herb has not turned up yet and things here are no good.
11-3-: I started a job at the back verandah of the house and made holes at 2 rows of pines for fertiliser.
12-3-: Gave Foster 4 long beans. Put the rest of the weatherboards on and a door head in. Made another stand for timber to be stacked on, another beastly hot day.
13-3-: Picked 1 dozen beans and sold to Foster. Brought down stones to make a step at the back of the house. Herb came back from Brisbane.
14-3-: I push hoed pines, gave white ants some juice. Afternoon I walked across to Briggs and pulled suckers and got Frank off with a load of about 400.
15-3-: I went to the Park by rail motor.
16-3-: Rested about and had a bathe. Mrs Thompson came over with a message that people were coming down tomorrow.
17-3-: I rested and read, had a good bathe. The sea was nice and warm, no one turned up.
18-3-: Came up by train, called at shire office and saw about allotments. Stayed with Iris all day and came home after tea. The people went down today and a bloke took the key down on his motorbike.
19-3-: Fixed up an affair to take suckers up to the land. Managed to get them up and I got off letters to each Ken and Irwin, also marked out a set of louvres.
20-3-: I worked at the louvres and planted suckers. Lily helped me a little and we got the set of louvres in. We are still having hot days and mosquitoes.
21-3-: Planted a row of suckers about 270 by just after 8. I then went at my job at the house. The thermometer went to 102ƒ on the back verandah.
22-3-: Planted suckers. Prepared louvre leaves to finish the job at the back of the house. Also saw to white ants in the timber. A very drying wind blowing today.
23-3-: I finished planting the row of suckers I started yesterday and got a set of louvres in. It was a very tiring job too. Dry windy weather is now the order.
24-3-: I rode the bike in to Hickmans and caught the train to Emu Park. Got 25/- out from Fowlers had dinner with O Donnell had a good bathe and caught train home.
25-3-: Stayed at Hickmans last night. I went up to the gardens and had a look at the buildings th at are going to be sold, came home by west Rockhampton, called at Syds place to see Beulah. Got home for dinner and got stuff ready for Emu Park. The weather is simply awful for heat.
26-3-: Gave Foster 2 dozen and 3 bunches of beans. Hung door at back verandah. It is just too hot for work 100ƒ on our back verandah.
27-3-: I put in 6 blocks for another stand for timber, also ripped Oregon pine and got main part of a stepladder made. This awful heat is still here.
28-3-: Frank and I stacked timber. I cleaned the skylight ready for treating. The heat was up to 96ƒ today, a little cooler than it has been for some time.
28-3-: Harry West paid for saw. I got some 3x2 out for Abels, papered the skylight and worked at the dark room. I also ripped timber for legs of the stepladder. Made another stand for the last of the timber.
30-3-: I covered the dark room floor and stacked timber. Mixed developer and fixing bath ready for the photos tomorrow. This had been the worst summer I remember. It is now cooler than is has been for months.
31-3-: I spent a busy time getting things ready to take photos. Beulah and Kitty brought up their children and we had a hectic time from 10 to 12 oclock. I developed the film and it seems to be all right.
1-4--: I push hoed a row of pines and then felt too crook to continue. It was very windy and I felt it. I cut clips and put on the Brigg case for Piano accordion.
2-4--: I felt off work and laid down all day. These times and conditions are too much for me.
3-4--: I put fasteners on the accordion case. I went to town in the bus. Put in the returns and paid the lodge and went to Wests and got the glass rolling pin. Also went and had a yarn with Shegogs the cooper people.
4-4--: I did some hoeing and cut pieces off Masonite for the bathroom. Rain has gone again and it is much cooler although the sun is still so hot. We printed photos after tea.
5-4--: I made rows for Frank to manure strawberries, got out 4x3 for Jack Abels job and worked at the ceiling for the bath room. Prepared a spot to stick strawberry runners in so as they will root. Sent the photos down to Beulah Johnson.
6-4--: Put in more runners to root. Finished the step ladder and made a frame for mat making. It was cool last night but the sun is hot today.
7-4--: I went to the Park and stayed with O Donnell till it was time to go to the train. He paid me for the material.
8-4--: I got stuff ready for town. Took 2 pieces of floor apart. After dinner we took timber to Abels and bottles to Thompsons got a dozen bottles for Easter. Also pumpkins from Hickmans.
9-4--: Gave Fosters 22 bunches of beans 6/5d, knocked nails back in timber. Planted 8 papaws near the house, hoed a bit at some rows of a sort of millet. Wrote to someone advertising for photo junk.
10-4-: I picked up a few pieces of timber lying about, hoed and also push hoed 2 rows of pines. The worst of it is that I get too tired after doing a bit of work.
11-4-: Hoed a row of millet and got out old strawberry plants to dissect and plant so as they will root ready to plant They say Denny had a good sale.
12-4-: Got ready to go to the sale with West. Spent the day but never bid on any thing. Money was spent far too freely, no good bargains available. People seemed willing to pay high prices.
13-4-: I rode the bike to town and went to the sale and bought 2 small buildings. Had 2 cups of tea with Jack Abel went back and put 2 marks on the purchases and came home. Got here about 12.30.
14-4-: Sun came out pretty warm. John and Iris spent the day here.
15-4-: I went to town by train, paid for the building I bought Saturday. Went up to the gardens by bus. Herb came in and we pulled down what we could and came home at 5.30.
16-4-: We went and got more material pulled down. I had a nasty buster from the roof. I went and stopped at Iris had a bath and John put iodine on my injured part.
17-4-: I rested all the morning and after dinner I went and banked £80 that John paid me. I went up to the gardens by bus and we got the rest of our stuff and got home by 5.
18-4-: I put a wheel in the grinder and rested my rump. It seems that John has got himself sick and couldnt go to work and so I suppose he wont get out here to work as planned.
19-4-: Good Friday. Cool fine day opened this morning. I started a letter to Ken and Elsie. Reg came about 10 oclock.
20-4-: I made sides for a camera case for Reg and worked at cutting out Johns cottage. Worked half day and got the 2 main plates cut out and some studs.
21-4-: Reg and I went to the Park, Reg came home by the evening train and I stayed at O Donnells.
22-4-: I had a good bathe today which did my bruised rump good. Saw the sports and came home.
23-4-: I spent the day cutting out the cottage frame. I now have the main plates finished.
24-4-: I cut out more cottage. I nearly have the cutting out done 6 x 1 needs cutting to make weatherboards.
25-4-: Did a bit to the cottage preparation and rested most of Anzac Day. West came and got a piece of pipe.
26-4-: I got the last joists out for the cottage and tools ready for Abels. 92ƒ the thermometer rose to on the back verandah.
27-4-: I went to town by rail motor and got the deposit from Ward Geddes & Co and slept at Hickmans.
28-4-: John and I went to Emu Park, had a good bathe and measured the cottage blocks. I came home and got here before 8 oclock. Arthur came last in the election for Councillors.
29-4-: I made a box to turn and rub rust off nails, after 11 oclock I knocked off.
30-4-: Herb took me in to Abels and I started on the job. Got on quite as well as I expected.
1-5--: Carried on with the work. Slept at Hickmans and rode Iris bike to work.
2-5--: Put in another day at Mr J Abels, the rascal.
3-5--: Yet another day with Johnny Abel. After tea I got an ice cream brick and John and Iris had half each. It is not very big value for 1/8 but every thing is the same these days.
4-5--: I went up to Shorleys to see what they wanted doing, he cut my hair, only took him about 5 minutes. I came out on the rail motor.
5-5--: I stayed home all-day and rested all day. It is getting drier every day and there seems no prospect of rain.
6-5--: I got out a bit of timber for Johns building. I cut out corner studs and 23 x 2 studs also.
7-5--: Herb drove me in to the Bulls Head and I walked to Abels. E. T Shorley died at 10 oclock. I finished at Abels and got paid and walked to Johns and slept.
8-5--: I rode Iris bike to a place on the north side opposite Lion Creek I am buying sashes, spouting etc. I bought bolts and roofing nails for Johns cottage. Rode Iriss bike out home.
9-5--: I worked at boards for the walls of Johns shack. I adzed 156 lineal feet. Harry West came over with 2/- for a piece of pipe he got.
10-5-: I carried on trimming the boards for the wall.
11-5-: Herb and I went to Weisses and got steps, sashes, spouting etc and sills, got home 10. 15.
12-5-: I went down and had a yarn to Charley and paid for the cartage of material. I went across to Wests to see about various matters. Came home and rested the remainder of the day.
13-5-: I worked at putting sills and window heads in to studs for the Park job. Herb and I also went in to Abels for my tools etc. Took the steps in too and sisal craft.
14-5-: I put the other frame together. Went to Abels and put in the steps. Got paid 12/6 for 2 1/2 hours work. Rhubarb plants ready in 2 weeks time.
15-5-: I hoed dwarf milo as I call it. Went in to town by bus, bought a shirt 9/5 d. Also got a meat press from West. After these purchases I rode the bus home again.
16-5-: I went up and put the pieces on top of the louvres at Westacotts. Afternoon I rested, as I felt pretty tired. The sun still comes out hot, but nights are cool.
17-5-: I feel completely done and just rested all day. This is the most miserable weather and makes one feel incapable of much movement.
18-5-: I worked at a door, made smaller sections of it and put 3 ply on, ready for cover strips and moulding.
19-5-: I rode the bike up to Browns and gave her 2 post cards for 9 lb of potatoes. Nasty wind made it very hard going up the hill.
20-5-: Herb took me in to catch the train to Emu Park.
21-5-: Just lazed about.
22-5-: Read and rested.
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30-5-: Finished putting up the spouting.
31-5-: Came home. Went to a sale and bought windows, French lights, doors etc.
1-6--: Herb and I went and got a load of stuff from Atwells.
2-6--: I rode in to Abels and got rhubarb plants. After dinner I went up to Briggs with tomatoes and called at Browns. Went in to the gardens with them.
3-6--: Herb and I went and got the rest of the joinery from Atwells. Afternoon I went and got petrol tickets and bread. The baker was late and I didnt get home until late.
4-6--: I worked at a door and French lights. Also cut some grass to chaff up for the horse.
5-6--: I worked at the joinery again. Got a large fan light up and did a bit to French lights. Also cut some grass.
6-6--: Rode the bike to the city and bought 60ft of 3/4 hose 9d per ft. Bought a bike tyre and ordered 2 tubes. Rode against a head wind coming home and it knocked me up completely.
7-6--: I took out the back kitchen door and hung one with glass in it, also went down and helped Herb to get a stove from Charleys.
8-6--: Got the doors stacked and I worked a bit at French lights, also helped to cart some chaff.
9-6--: I went to the top of the hill and had a look around. Afternoon I went to Fairy Bower and looked round there, had a yarn with Syd and Dick.
10-6-: I went up for the paper and then to town and saw the procession. Saw a chap who advertised for a lens, came home feeling jolly tired.
11-6-: I sowed tomato seed and finished a letter to Reg. I was too tired to do much else so rested.
12-6-: I made a stand and scraped paint off more French lights and stacked them on the stand and covered from the weather. Irwin came home. Ken and Elsie are due to arrive on Friday.
13-6-: I fixed up the coloured glass and as I felt achy and tired I just lied down most of the day. Irwin did a lot of hoeing and barrowed the stuff away.
14-6-: I felt very nervy and off colour and only did a little to the nut on the violin. Childs got the mail for me.
15-6-: I went down and got the single barrel gun from Lonnie, also had a bit of a yarn to him and his wife.
16-6-: I went and had a yarn to Syd.
17-6-: I rode the bike and went to Emu Park. Came back and rode the bike home.
18-6-: I rode the bike in and got orders for tomatoes and came home again, felt a bit tired in the legs. I got 15/- per case.
19-6-: I went down to Charleys several places. Developed a film.
20-6-: I fixed Lonnies chair there was only us 2 old fogies left home even Frank went to the show.
21-6-: I rode to town and cancelled bike tyres and tubes. Came home and rested. Printed 2 1/2 dozen photos after tea.
22-6-: I worked amongst the strawberries for a while the sun comes quite warm nights are cool enough.
23-6-: I took Lonnies chair back and went to Henrys and saw about small potatoes.
24-6-: I rode the bike out and Frank drove the cart out and we got some firewood, a very poor lot, but will see us through for a while.
25-6-: I picked a few tomatoes, lighted the fire and hoed out grass and burned some. Irwin and I took 4 cases of tomatoes and 1 1/2 dozen lettuce in and sold out well. Home again by 11 oclock.
26-6-: I rode the bike to town, paid lodge, left shoes to be mended, bought 2 pair of trousers from West for £3 got home for dinner. Afternoon Ken, Elsie and I went to Charleys where Ken put the wireless in place and called and got Dicks and then to Newmans for spuds.
27-6-: Lighted the fire and burned rubbish had breakfast and picked peas. Also picked tomatoes and cased and did some digging and felt knocked up and chucked work for today.
28-6-: Helped to get stuff ready for town and sprayed ants, gave strawberries fertiliser.
29-6-: I had a touch of achy bones and nervy feeling so was off work. I treated ants and attended my tomato plants and spent a lot of time trying to fix up some thing to lock the tank top at Emu Park.
30-6-: I rode the bike to Hickmans and caught the rail motor to Emu Park. Had dinner with Arthur O Donnell and we went and locked our tank top. By the time I got home I was rather tired.
1-7--: I dug a couple of rows of tomatoes and marked out 2 axe handles.
2-7--: I plumbed up the back tank, packed it up and put 2 blocks in. Herb took his mother and tomatoes to town. They sold out very quickly and got back with in 2 hours of the time they went, it seems like another cool term. Ken and Elsie went to Mount Morgan.
3-7--: I cut out an axe handle and got it in to a head, went across to Wests to get Myrtle to phone the Park about the cottage.
4-7--: I started the fire and finished the axe for the Park, cut firewood, sprayed ants.
5-7--: Lit the fire, after breakfast I picked 2 tins of tomatoes. Fixed up tomato cases, sawed wood etc.
6-7--: I went to Emu Park. After tea I went to the traps with Fred Thwaite but there was nothing in the trap at all.
7-7--: Got a shot off in O Donnells well, he was very pleased with it too.
8-7--: I went in and did some shopping and we had fish for dinner. I put a charge in the hole. Arthur had finished whilst I was away, but the fire went out, so we left it until after dinner, it has got to be ab out 3 inches from the detonator and gone off. However after refusing it I got it off quite well.
9-7--: I got the fire going and put the pellets in, treated ants. Sowed tomato seed.
10-7-: I pulled out posts etc of the old bean trellis. Harry West, Irwin and I went out and cut 16 house blocks. We finished at just 5 oclock.
11-7-: I kept wetting the cartwheel to see if I could swell it tight we got 4 more blocks with Irwins help.
12-7-: Got Herb and his mother away with Ken and Elsie. I fixed a bit of a job for West. Frank and I got the 8 blocks from Wests paddock. Brought home a chair to fix for Mrs Brown.
13-7-: Rode the bike in and paid West the £1. Bought Herb a pair of boots. I fixed Browns chair, but by gum I was tired and had to make my self do it. The sun came out very warm today.
14-7-: I went and had a yarn to Syd and his father. Afternoon I went to Browns. Came home and filled a case of tomatoes and got a bit ready for the Park.
15-7-: I went to the Park. Got a shot off in O Donnells well.
16-7-: Hauled stuff out of the well. Bought 2 pair of trousers from West this month.
17-7-: Worked at the well.
18-7-: More well work. Had a fish tea.
19-7-: I feel off and did not do much.
20-7-: I went in and did a bit of shopping and rested.
21-7-: Took a walk out to Zilzie and saw what Arthur and Harry West have done. Did some reading.
22-7-: A month ago we got firewood. I came up in the train with Fred Thwaite and got a lift home by Mrs Brown.
23-7-: I put in a row of posts for a trellis for the snake bean. I got the line ready for winter except for 1 strut, felt tired.
24-7-: I run a wire and went for the papers. Over to Newmans about potatoes and rested.
25-7-: I went to town and ordered a bag of fertiliser. Had a look in at Hickmans got home 1. 30 quite tired, rested till teatime.
26-7-: A little rain fell. I put 2 pieces of wood on the chair of Browns and fixed up a template for marking out rafters. I cut out 4 rafters also. I went up for mail and papers, cut wood. lighted the fire this morning and afternoon.
27-7-: I cut out 5 rafters now they are all cut out, did a bit of digging and went for the papers.
28-7-: Went to the Park for the day, a rather cool day too. Half dozen pairs of hinges cost 9/ -.
29-7-: I dug holes and fertilised them ready for the beans. Had shots at birds after strawberries but failed to hit any. Made a sled to bring an engine round from the shed. Got a letter from Martha telling us that Ted had passed away.
30-7-: Helped with the pump. We brought the Ford engine round. I took strawberries to Browns. After dinner I rode the bike to Burns & Twiggs and got a flange and bolts etc. A nasty wind coming home.
31-7-: Put the engine in position and worked at it a bit. I made a stand for the cooling tank.
1-8--: Dug out posts, sawed them the right length. Cleaned 2 lb of long bean seed. Just on 4 lb of long bean seed.
2-8--: I felt off colour, but did a bit of work at the saw bench job. G. Foster paid for the peas he got on Tuesday and got 10 lb more. My bones are achy and I have a headache and stuffy nose.
3-8--: I put the posts in for the shelter for the engine. I feel too off colour to do much work. Nervy and jumpy. Herb sowed peas.
4-8--: We got the spuds from Newmans. John and Herb went to Bouldercombe. Got 7lb of nails from Syd 5d per lb.
5-8--: Got the roof of the shed ready for the iron. Put out about 60 tomato plants. 6 weeks since we got wood.
6-8--: Put the iron on and watered tomato plants. Got letter off to Martha and Beryl. I keep getting nervy, achy bones and headache. Foster got another 10 lb of peas for which he owes.
7-8--: Fosters got 2 boxes of strawberries. Tried to saw a bit of wood but the engine stopped us all. I rode the bike to town and got some meat. Bought a steel bar for 1/ - from West. Very warm today 92 on the verandah.
8-8--: Sowed a row of Gauda bean seed. Also dug out old tomato plants made a square set as a start for a cover for the Circular saw.
9-8--: Watered the tomatoes and bean seed. Finished cutting out the rafters for Johns cottage. Pumped the well out and lighted the fire for dinner.
10-8-: Did my watering and rode the bike to town, took a box of strawberries to Eddingtons. Head wind coming home made me tired. We had the saw going and cut up all our wood. Very warm day.
11-8-: Big fog this morning I took a crook turn feverish and aching bones sore throat etc.
12-8-: Crook all day but had a little tea.
13-8-: Much better today had soup for breakfast. Spent most of the day cutting out Johns E. C. I had to come in as I began to feel crook again.
14-8-: I cut out the corner studs for the closet and did a little watering. I am no good for work yet.
15-8-: I cut out guides etc to use in reducing the boards for walking at the Park by the sea.
16-8-: I pumped water, watered my tomatoes and beans. Had the spray running on the strawberries. Worked at fixing an affair to saw our timber. Got film for Reg.
17-8-: I rode the bike to town and bought various bargains for the kitchen.
18-8-: John and Iris never turned up so nothing was done. F. Morrell was here 3 or 4 times during the day.
19-8-: I went to the Park. Went out to the trap and got 2 mullet. Arthur O Donnell cleaned them for breakfast tomorrow.
20-8-: I burned lantana etc.
21-8-: I put in 2 blocks after Warwick brought them. Reg came down by train.
22-8-: We put in 2 more blocks and I burned grass to clear the way for the timber.
23-8-: Reg helped Arthur to clean the stone out of his new well and I put in another block and we all had another bush fire. I went out to the trap got back late had little sleep.
24-8-: We came up by train and I went to a lost property sale and bought a wreck of a bike for 27/6.
25-8-: I finished my letter to Ted and wrote to Fred Thwaite too. I was so sore between the legs that I just rested about the place.
26-8-: I watered my plants and Herb and I made irons for the cottage and sharpened drills. I also worked at the saw bench and we tried taking the corners off the boards.
27-8-: I watered my rows of beans, worked at the circular saw arrangement, went down the well and also rode the bike to town and back. I am feeling up to putty these days.
28-8-: I applied emerald oil and now await results in respect to eczema, watered my plants. We took corners off the 6x1 this afternoon it wasnt much of a job owing to things not being quite right
29-8-: Watered plants and a few other odd jobs. I have that awful eczema which makes it painful for me to walk.
30-8-: I did the watering and fixed up with Foster. Also went round and saw Irwin let a shot off in the well. Reg went off with Bill Brown.
31-8-: I rode the bike round Depot Hill and saw about the door advertisement. Did other business and got home for dinner.
1-9--: I went to Emu Park.
2-9--: I sunk holes and got 2 blocks put in.
3-9--: Got a couple of blocks in. I split a big block and made 2 out of it.
4-9--: 2 Blocks were put in today.
5-9--: Got 2 blocks in however I fancy some of them are some what out of line.
6-9--: Caught the train and came home. Very warm today.
7-9--: I watered tomatoes and tried several times to drill holes in the stays for the cottage. Herb and I sawed firewood. Herb had great trouble to start the engine.
8-9--: Rested and read all day, not very well.
9-9--: Watered tomatoes, papaws and beans. Got pipe for O Donnells, I sowed 3 more holes with beans and put out tomato plants. The days are getting warm now but cool nights are the order
10-9-: Watered the plants and rode the bike to town paid truck insurance, went and saw shire clerk about permit. Called and saw Charley on my way back, he is pretty well.
11-9-: Watered plants, cut a door to size needed for N. C. at the Park. Got the pipe ready to go to A. O Donnell. Put a cover over the circular saw and started to get tools ready for Emu Park.
12-9-: I watered plants, pronged peas, sowed 3 holes with melon seed. Shelled out pea seed. Got tired by evening. It is hard that we have such a short supply of water and the days are warming up too.
13-9-: I did the watering got the pea seed all shelled out. Cut out the ends of the plates for the Park. Herb and I went in by Hickmans, truck had a hard time of it.
14-9-: Did watering and took nails out of 3x11/2 inch for purloins. The heat was 96 in the shade today, very hot for this time of the year.
15-9-: I rode up to G. Thorsen to see about pipe he wants. Came back and got a piece ready.
16-9-: Sharrock and I took a quantity of material to Emu Park.
17-9-: I worked at the job.
18-9-: Put in another day.
19-9-: Carried on with the work.
20-9-: Got all the joists on that I had and put up the verandah top plate.
21-9-: Worked again for the day.
22-9-: O Donnell walked out to Zilzie and had a look at Arthurs shack.
23-9-: I put down some flooring.
24-9-: Carried on with the floor.
25-9-: Put up the window frame and studs at one end.
26-9-: Put in the last corner stud and window frame, finished the floor as far as I could go, as I hadnt joists to finish the back verandah.
27-9-: Put on top plates, which is a very tiring job.
28-9-: Put on the end plate and tidied up Irwin came down on his motorbike and I took him out to see Arthurs shanty. Rodgers work very poor.
29-9-: I walked out to see work that is being done by Rodgers. Had a yarn with C. Gill. We came up in the train together.
8-10-: I rode a bike in to the butchers and Hickmans, got back for lunch, after which I went and got the nails from Charle ys. Came back and rested reading the paper till dinnertime. Afternoon I went round and put in a piece of 4 x 1 1/2 timber to nail galvanised iron to. Then I came and boxed up 4 sashes ready to go to the Park. Herb and Irwin went out to Flynns and got some of the stuff from there.
9-10-: The horse got out during the night, so the first job after watering my plants was to fix the fence. After which I went round and worked at the shed wall. I also mattocked grass from the row of beans.
10-10: I watered the tomatoes and gave them bone dust. Also watered the climbing beans and got stuff ready for the Park. I also got out more grass.
11-10: I rode the bike in and bought 2 shirts from Williams Ltd. Called at the Lands Office and saw about the land I am interested at the Park . Before I went in I had done the watering. After I got back I was too tired to do any thing much.
12-10: Sharrocks came out and we went out to Flynns and got the plows etc. Got Cecil away with a good lot of stuff for the Park.
13-10: We loaded up here and then went to Cecils place and loaded up what he took yesterday and went off to Emu Park. Worked at the cottage and came home on November 6th.
7-12-: I came home by train. Had lunch at Muskers and came out by rail motor.
8-12-: I rode bike down to Syds and got a big pumpkin.
9-12-: I pulled grass from the Gauder beans, did some hoeing.
10-12: I got some stuff ready for the Park and shifted Masonite so that it would dry out at having got wet by rain. We also worked at Irwins truck.
11-12: I covered the stack of Masonite and hauled 9 drums of stuff out of the well, but the stone was too hard for me. I ripped timber and helped with the body of the truck.
12-12: Early this morning a nice rain fell. We gave 3 rows of pines fertiliser. The place is in a very poor way.
13-12: Went to the Park and rested.
14-12: I worked at putting sills and studs up for the back wall. I worked up to the 20th and the 21st at my place. Brays came in and paid me £5 rent for the month 22nd so I came home. I felt very hot after the Park.

This material has been transcribed by Connie Johnson, of Bundaberg; who has provided the transcription on the condition that any further copying and distribution of the transcription is allowed only for noncommercial purposes, and includes this statement in its entirety.

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Last modified on: Wednesday, 1 May 2002