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193802 [2015/12/04 14:35] – [Bush Walkers in New Zealand] emmanuelle_c193802 [2015/12/16 11:17] (current) sbw
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 |Editor:|Marie B. Byles| |Editor:|Marie B. Byles|
 |Business Manager:| J.W. Mullins| |Business Manager:| J.W. Mullins|
-|Publication Staff:|Misses Clare Kinsella, Dot English, Flo Allsworth, Kathleen McKay, Messrs John R. Wood, Brian C. Harvey, W.L. (Bill) Piggott.|+|Publication Staff:|Misses Clare Kinsella, Dot English [Dot Butler], Flo Allsworth, Kathleen McKay, Messrs John R. Wood, Brian C. Harvey, W.L. (Bill) Piggott.|
  
 ===== Contents. ===== ===== Contents. =====
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 ^ ^ ^  Page  ^  ^ ^ ^  Page  ^ 
 |Are Bushwalkers Mad? |Marie B. Byles |1| |Are Bushwalkers Mad? |Marie B. Byles |1|
-|Bush Walkers in New Zealand|Dot English |2|+|Bush Walkers in New Zealand|Dot English [Dot Butler] |2|
 |Wading Harry's River|Jack Debert |5| |Wading Harry's River|Jack Debert |5|
 |Antonio - A New Dolly Ballad | |8| |Antonio - A New Dolly Ballad | |8|
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 ===== Are Bushwalkers Mad? ===== ===== Are Bushwalkers Mad? =====
  
-By M.B.B.+By M.B.B. [Marie Byles]
  
 Most people would reply emphatically, "yes", and in a democratic society the opinion of the majority goes. Most of us are delighted to admit to a streak of madness, merely pointing out that the only difference between us and ordinary madmen is that we know we are mad; ordinary madmen don't. Most people would reply emphatically, "yes", and in a democratic society the opinion of the majority goes. Most of us are delighted to admit to a streak of madness, merely pointing out that the only difference between us and ordinary madmen is that we know we are mad; ordinary madmen don't.
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 ===== Bush Walkers in New Zealand ===== ===== Bush Walkers in New Zealand =====
  
-by Dot English. +by Dot English. [Dot Butler]\ 
-25 Mile Hut,+25 Mile Hut,\\
 28/12/1937. 28/12/1937.
  
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 We have had swims in all the lakes and rivers and the sea encountered on our way. The water is absolutely frigid - the sea no less than the snow fed lakes and rivers - its current sweeps up direct from the South Pole. We dived in pink and supple and come out blue and stiff without our breath. "In and out" is the order of the bath. We have had swims in all the lakes and rivers and the sea encountered on our way. The water is absolutely frigid - the sea no less than the snow fed lakes and rivers - its current sweeps up direct from the South Pole. We dived in pink and supple and come out blue and stiff without our breath. "In and out" is the order of the bath.
  
-There's a big discussion going on below about dangerous climbers - and the various casualties and fatalities occasioned by such. I must ceaso writing for a while as I can't concentrate.+There's a big discussion going on below about dangerous climbers - and the various casualties and fatalities occasioned by such. I must cease writing for a while as I can't concentrate.
  
 -------- (indicating that time has elapsed). -------- (indicating that time has elapsed).
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 Gordon and Bert and I (Dot) climbed a hill overlooking Milford Sound, so as to get a view of the waters of the Sound. The hill was about 2,500 ft. and this we expected would take us at the most a couple of hours, which we had to fill in before tea. So we set out, following up a watercourse then cut off into the bush. Gee, did you ever imagine bush could be so dense and matted - it grew up almost perpendicular slope so that we practically climbed up from tree to tree. We slipped up perpendicular rock faces - erstwhile waterfalls - burying our hands and toes in the thick featherbed moss to which we clung, (We think this must be a misprint! Ed. ) then followed a steep tree-clad ridge where the ground underfoot was feet thick with fallen trees and branches so moss-covered that we couldn't see whether we were walking on terra firma or six feet above it on rotten wood. It was inevitable that we slipped through on numerous occasions, Gordon going through up to the waist-line, cursing and swearing and nearly breaking his legs and Dot frequently vanishing from sight all of a sudden down a green mossy hole. Nevertheless it was the best bush I have ever climbed in - nice and soft on the bare feet and nothing to cut or scratch the flesh. I wish we grew such in good old N.S.W. Gordon and Bert and I (Dot) climbed a hill overlooking Milford Sound, so as to get a view of the waters of the Sound. The hill was about 2,500 ft. and this we expected would take us at the most a couple of hours, which we had to fill in before tea. So we set out, following up a watercourse then cut off into the bush. Gee, did you ever imagine bush could be so dense and matted - it grew up almost perpendicular slope so that we practically climbed up from tree to tree. We slipped up perpendicular rock faces - erstwhile waterfalls - burying our hands and toes in the thick featherbed moss to which we clung, (We think this must be a misprint! Ed. ) then followed a steep tree-clad ridge where the ground underfoot was feet thick with fallen trees and branches so moss-covered that we couldn't see whether we were walking on terra firma or six feet above it on rotten wood. It was inevitable that we slipped through on numerous occasions, Gordon going through up to the waist-line, cursing and swearing and nearly breaking his legs and Dot frequently vanishing from sight all of a sudden down a green mossy hole. Nevertheless it was the best bush I have ever climbed in - nice and soft on the bare feet and nothing to cut or scratch the flesh. I wish we grew such in good old N.S.W.
  
-You should see our cooking arrangements over here. We started out with a knife, spoon plate and mug apiece, but have now little by little lost various items of cutlery so that we take it in turns with spoon for our porridge and Dot eats from the pot with a knifes, while, Brenda  acts her best to dispose of soup with a crust of braad and a fork. The day before yesterday Jack Aitkin surpassed us all in economical cooking. He warmed up the tinned sausages in a billy of water and then made tea with the said water. All would have been well if the tin had not been varnished on the outside. Even Gordon, thirsty as he was, declined to drink the varnish flavoured beverage.+You should see our cooking arrangements over here. We started out with a knife, spoon plate and mug apiece, but have now little by little lost various items of cutlery so that we take it in turns with spoon for our porridge and Dot eats from the pot with a knifes, while, Brenda  acts her best to dispose of soup with a crust of bread and a fork. The day before yesterday Jack Aitkin surpassed us all in economical cooking. He warmed up the tinned sausages in a billy of water and then made tea with the said water. All would have been well if the tin had not been varnished on the outside. Even Gordon, thirsty as he was, declined to drink the varnish flavoured beverage.
  
 There is a poor lone lad with an enormous pack down in the valley unable to cross the flooded river. Bert and Roy have just gone down with the rope and ice-axes to help get him over - great excitement. There is a poor lone lad with an enormous pack down in the valley unable to cross the flooded river. Bert and Roy have just gone down with the rope and ice-axes to help get him over - great excitement.
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 Our next address will be c/o The Hermitage, Mt. Cook (till 28th. January) after which it will be c/o G.P.O. Wellington. Our next address will be c/o The Hermitage, Mt. Cook (till 28th. January) after which it will be c/o G.P.O. Wellington.
  
-Hoping to hear from some or all of you, and kin regard and the Compliments of the Seasot to the Mob.+Hoping to hear from some or all of you, and kin regard and the Compliments of the Season to the Mob.
  
 From the Whole Pack,\\ From the Whole Pack,\\
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 By Jack Debert. By Jack Debert.
  
-Frantic rush at the start - usual holiday night crowd at the Railway. 6-30 train was so crwoded that at 6-15 the ticket collector at the barrier refused to all= anybody else on the train. Hilma and Doris running true to form left everything to the last minute and mould have been forced to take a later train except for Gordon's and Jack's gentle eloquence which overcame the ticket collector'offiiialism+Frantic rush at the start - usual holiday night crowd at the Railway. 6-30 train was so crowded that at 6-15 the ticket collector at the barrier refused to allow anybody else on the train. Hilma and Doris running true to form left everything to the last minute and would have been forced to take a later train except for Gordon's and Jack's gentle eloquence which overcame the ticket collector'officialism. 
-The party alighted from the train into rain at Katoomba. Gordon almost immaculately dressed in white shorts and shirt made locals shiver and smile. Everyone else in the party already had ground sheets out and looked ready for dirtiest weather imaginable. But Gordon is tough. Rain was falling as the party proceeded on their way in the damp darkness. Nellie's Glen was more wet than usual but the party made good time and arrived at Megalong Creek and within two shakes of an unfolded tent all the tents were up by 11.50 and the pleasing sounds of Bert's snoring came to thoeo dallied in getting into their bags. + 
-Lo and behold dawn broke and Jack was not the first up for Roley had the fire +The party alighted from the train into rain at Katoomba. Gordon almost immaculately dressed in white shorts and shirt made locals shiver and smile. Everyone else in the party already had ground sheets out and looked ready for dirtiest weather imaginable. But Gordon is tough. Rain was falling as the party proceeded on their way in the damp darkness. Nellie's Glen was more wet than usual but the party made good time and arrived at Megalong Creek and within two shakes of an unfolded tent all the tents were up by 11.50 and the pleasing sounds of Bert's snoring came to those dallied in getting into their bags. 
-burning brightly before Jack even got out of the tent. The morning was dullish but showed every indication of clearing up. There was no urgent need to make a very early start - so after a large breakfast of delicious steak topped off with a variety of tit bits that tend to make our meals most appetising; a start was made at 7-22. The trip through Euroka down Black Jerry's and to the Cox is well known, so apart from mentioning the refreshing sight of a few newly born lambs in the stockyard and the glorious panoramic view to be obtained from the top of Black Jerry's Hill, it is sufficient to say the going was very easy and it was only 8-50 when we arrived at the Cox. Somehow the writer will never tire of the Cox. He has, like most other ardent walkers, seen it in many moods, and yet he always feels happy to be back amidst its sylvan surroundings and sighing casuarinas. + 
-The party was moving too rapidly so a halt was made for 15 minutes to enable the official photographer, Roley, to make pictorial records with his Rolleicord. Stran +Lo and behold dawn broke and Jack was not the first up for Roley had the fire burning brightly before Jack even got out of the tent. The morning was dullish but showed every indication of clearing up. There was no urgent need to make a very early start - so after a large breakfast of delicious steak topped off with a variety of tit bits that tend to make our meals most appetising; a start was made at 7-22. The trip through Euroka down Black Jerry's and to the Cox is well known, so apart from mentioning the refreshing sight of a few newly born lambs in the stockyard and the glorious panoramic view to be obtained from the top of Black Jerry's Hill, it is sufficient to say the going was very easy and it was only 8-50 when we arrived at the Cox. Somehow the writer will never tire of the Cox. He has, like most other ardent walkers, seen it in many moods, and yet he always feels happy to be back amidst its sylvan surroundings and sighing casuarinas. 
-how on these long so-called tough trips the self-called "rabbits" are always urging + 
-to be up and away and it proved to be the same on this occasion. It was thought that lunch might be had at the junction of Cox and Harry's Rivers, but when, after dawdling down the Cox and admiring the sweet scented clematis and the creeping tecoma or crackerjack, watching the flight of the mongas, king parrots, and listening to the tinkling of bell birds, the time flaw by like the distance and 10-5 found the party+The party was moving too rapidly so a halt was made for 15 minutes to enable the official photographer, Roley, to make pictorial records with his Rolleicord. Strange how on these long so-called tough trips the self-called "rabbits" are always urging to be up and away and it proved to be the same on this occasion. It was thought that lunch might be had at the junction of Cox and Harry's Rivers, but when, after dawdling down the Cox and admiring the sweet scented clematis and the creeping tecoma or crackerjack, watching the flight of the wongas, king parrots, and listening to the tinkling of bell birds, the time flaw by like the distance and 10-5 found the party
 sipping saline and chewing chocolate for a full 30 minutes at Harry's River junction. sipping saline and chewing chocolate for a full 30 minutes at Harry's River junction.
-("If this resting goes on much longer we shall never get through in time and won't the knomalls of the Club have a laugh over us then", was the thought of one of the party.) +("If this resting goes on much longer we shall never get through in time and won't the know-alls of the Club have a laugh over us then", was the thought of one of the party.) 
-On the first stages of Harry's River the walking was very easy being on cow pads + 
-and it was delightfully pretty and to all intent and purposes a miniature Cox. ThEn +On the first stages of Harry's River the walking was very easy being on cow pads and it was delightfully pretty and to all intent and purposes a miniature Cox. Then came the gorge and the easiest way was to paddle in the water, but we were forced to stop in admiration of a most marvellous array of rock lilies. Sheer sandstone cliffs 150 feet high on either side of river, no more than 30 yards wide, and looking on the eastern cliff Jack counted 400 rock lilies in bloom and many hundreds more almost on the point of flowering. Truly an exquisite sight and one worth going miles to see. The walking was still very easy and though there were frequent wadings in mater Mumbedah Creek was reached before mid-day after passing through a profusion of tecoma and clematis vines. So to lunch - to which was added watercress from the river
-came the gorge and the eaBiest way was to paddle in the water, but we were forced to + 
-stop in admiration of a mosi-, narvollous array of rock lilies. Sheer sandstone cliffs +Well over an hour was taken for lunch and apart from much water wading the going was very easy up to Bee's Nest Creek and Gordon and Jack were very intrigued as to just when they were to hit the rough country they had heard so much about. As mile after mile of beautiful country Was covered the two old stagers realised someone had erred badly or else the roughness came suddenly and must be bad. Shortly after lunch the party encountered a stockman complete with horse, dogs and cattle. He was tremendously interested to hear that they intended going through along the river to the Caves. "It just cannot be done', he remarked. "Why you cannot drive a rabbit through it. The cliffs come down like this". (at the same time forming a V with his hands). 
-150 feet high on either side of -t river, no more than 30 yards wide, and looking on the eastern cliff JeoL coy-J-1150d 4-00 :,-uck lilies in bloom and many hundreds more almost on the poitt of an exquisite sight and one worth going mi les + 
-to see. The walking was still vory (-3q.,;y- and though there were frequent wadings In mater Mumbedah Creek was reached before mid-day after passing through a profusican of tecoma andclematis vines. So to lunch - to which was added watercress from thz river.+Bee's Nest Creek is a glorious spot. Jack intends going back there to camp someday. There's a little bit of a flat, vivid green and undulating hills, a pretty patch of volcanic soil. So delightful was the sight that a number wanted to camp there and then though it was not yet 3 o'clock. Jack wanted to load a revolution and might have done so - but Gordon is so big - and besides Maida, Doris, Jessie and Hilma - the female species - were also dying to get into the rough stuff. Maybe in about 50 years time, when the deterioration of the present race is complete, some members of the then Bush Walkers Club will read of such worthy walkers who revelled in rough country to such an extent that they would pass over such a divine camp spot as Bee's Nest, and want to go on looking for "something tuff." 
 + 
 +Well, it was not long before the party struck all the joyous roughness their hearts desired. For shortly after passing Bee's Nest Creek the river entered into a granite canyon. Nature must have been in a playful mood when she tossed a few of those granite boulders about and the constant running of the river in smoothing down the rocks completed the task. Over waist-high wading, slippery dips that outdo Luna Park, narrow ledges, clambering and climbing made the going very slow. It was here that Roley perilously perched in a slippery slipping situation had no less than 40 odd birthdays at once. It was no laughing matter for Roley, but Bush Walkers are ever ready to laugh at a brother's misfortune in similar circumstances and this party was no exception. Anyway the worst never happens and Roley is still alive to tell the tale. The girls took to the water jumps like old stagers. Hilma and Jessie are tough and tried. Dauntless, they duck under what they cannot clamber over. Maida was only a prospective  
 +but already she had a reputation for going en tough trips and getting there even on one occasion going on a Bill Mullins' running special after returning from a dance at 4 a.m. Doris, with elastic bandages on her knees, looked as though she might give trouble, but a willing heart and long legs easily carried her where Jack in his old age found difficulty in going. Roley had the camera if he ever needed an excuse. Laurie's steel toe plates gave him many hectic high stepping moments. Bert and Bill were just too tough and of course Gordon - oh well, he was ahead at times. At 4-10 Gordon and Bert, leaving the party at a possible camp spot, went in search of something better - and found it, and so a halt was made at 4-35 in what turned out to be practically the last possible campsite until one reaches the farm just below the Caves. Most everyone had a swim in spite of the perpetual immersion. What a repast the party sat down to, sausages, green peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, followed with apples and mincemeat. 
 +Even Bert - a tremendous eater - was satisfied. It was a glorious night and after the usual varied discussions around the fire the party turned in to their respective tents which had been erected in Abdul fashion. 
 + 
 +Jack must be getting very old, for on the second morning he was not the first up. The crown for early rising that has adorned his brow for so long must now pass over to Roley, who seemed to be unable to sleep. But no to be outdone, as Roley rebuilt the fire, Jack lay in his bag and yelled get up in the approved Derbert manner. But the party, realising he is aged and worn out took no notice of him and so he hied himself to the river to drown the reflections of his past glories in the icy cold waters. Still in spite of all the parties' laziness the rearguard left camp at 7-50 and after the usual rock hopping, water wading, barging, charging, climbing, clamouring, 9-55 sees the chocolate ration being doled out at Big Oakey Creek. (A word of warning here. The angle of the junction of the river and creek is almost the same as that of the junction of the river and Bull's Creek. Local rain in Big Oakey Creek catchment area might easily make water appear in a larger quantity than in river and one might follow up Big Oakey Creek instead of keeping to Harry's River). From here on the party practically walked in the water right up to Caves House Farm, nearby to which a halt was made at 12-25 for lunch. It is interesting to note that watercress lined both banks of the river from Mumbedah Creek up to the spot where the party stopped for their midday meal.
  
-Well over an hour was taken for lunoh apars from much water wading the going was very easy up to Bee's Nest Creek and Gordon and Jack were very intrigued as to just when they were to hit the rough country they had heard so much about. As mile after mile of beautiful country Was covered the two old stagers realised someone had erred badly or else the roughness came suddenly and must be bad. Shortly after lunch the party encountered a stockman complete with horse, dogs and cattle, He was tremendously interested to hear that they intended going through along the river to the Caves. "It just cannot be done', he remarked. "Why you cannot drive a rabbit through it. The cliffs come down like this". (at the same time formirg a V with his hands). 
-Bee's Nest Creek is a glorious spot. Jack iai:sende going back there to camp someday. There's a little bit of a flat, vivid greon and undulating hills, a pretty patch of volcanic soil. So delightful was the sight that a number wanted to camp there and then though it was not yet 3 o'clock. Jack wanted to load a revolution and might have done so - but Gordon is so big - and besides Maida, Doris, Jessie and Hilma - the female species - were also dying to get into the rough stuff. Maybe in about 50 years 
-time, when the dei,orioration of the present raoe is oomplete, some members of the then 
-Bush Walkers Club mill read of such worthy walkers who revelled in rough country to such an extent that they would pass over such a divine camp spot as Bee's Nest, and want to go on looking for "something tuff." 
-Well, it was not long before the party struck all the joyous roughness their hearts desired. For shortly after passing Beefs Nest Creek the river entered into a granite canyon. Nature must have been in a pla-yful mood when she tossed a few of those granite 
-boulders about and the constant running of the river in smoothing down the rocks completed the task. Over waist-high wading, slippery dips that outdo Luna Park, narrow 
-3 
-ledges, clambering and climbing made the going very slow. It was here that Roley perilously perched in a slippery slipping situation had no less than 40 odd birthdays 
-at once. It was no laughing matter for Roley, but Bush Walkers are ever ready to laugh at a brother's misfortune in similar circumstances and this party was no exception. Anyway the worst never happens and Roley is still alive to tell the tale. The girls 
-took to the water jumps like old. stagers, Hilma and Jessie are tough and tried. Datint- 
-less, they duck under what they cannot clamber over. Maida was only a prospective - 
-but already she had a reputation for going en tough trips and getting there even on one occasion going on a Bill Mullins! running special after returning from a dance at 4 ae,m, Doris, with elastic bandages on her knees, looked as though she might give trouble, but 
-a willing heart and long legs easily carried her where Jack in his old age found difficulty in going. Roley had the camera if he ever needed an excuse. Laurie's steel toe plates gave him many hectic high stepping moments. Bert and Bill were just too tough and of course Gordon - oh well, he was ahead at times. At 4-10 Gordon and Bert, 
-leaving the party at a possible camp spot, went in search of something better - and 
-found it, and so a halt was made at 4-35 in what turned out to be practically the last possible campsite until one reaches the farm just below the Caves. Most everyone had 
-a swim in spite of the perpetual immersion. What a repast the party sat down to, sausages, green peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, followed with apples and mincemeat. 
-Even Bert - a tremendous eater - was olsisfied. It was a glorious night and after the usual varied discussions around the fire the party turned in to their respective tents 
-which had been erected In Abdul fashj,on. 
-Jack must be gottng very old, for on the second morning he was not the first up. The crIwn for early rj,eia,,s. that has aolorned his bscs w for so long must now pass over to 
-Roley, whe seemed to be unable to sleep3uJ nal; to be outdone, as Roley rebuilt the 
-fire, Jack lay in 71iLi bag and yoliod get up in the approved Derbert manner. But the party, realising he is aged andvs4ni on:;, toels no notiee of him and so he hied himself 
-to the river to drown the refleetiers oast clor5.es in the icy cold waters. Still 
-in spite of all the partiest laziness the rearguard left camp at 7-50 and after the 
-usual rock hopping, water wading, barging, charging, climbing, clamouring, 9-55 sees the chocolate ration being doled out at Big Oakey Creek. (A word of warning here. The angle of the junction of the river and creek is almost the same as that of the junction of the river a rid Bull's Creek. Local rain in Big Oakey Creek catchment area might easily make water appear in a larger quantity than in river and one might follow up Big Oakey Creek instead of keeping to Harry's River). From here on the party praetlcally walked in the muter right up to Caves House Farm, nearby to which a halt was made at 12-25 for lunch. It is interesting to note that watercress lined both banks of the river from Mumbedah Creek up to the spot where the party stopped for their midday meal. 
 Harry's River is well worth the trip and it was not as rough as was expected but it could be very difficult and practically impassable after heavy rain. As it is anyone doing the trip must be prepared for plenty of water work, slippery sliding over the granite, but the mild flowers make up for it all. Jack has never seen so many rock lilies in flower and numerous orchids were on the point of blooming. Harry's River is well worth the trip and it was not as rough as was expected but it could be very difficult and practically impassable after heavy rain. As it is anyone doing the trip must be prepared for plenty of water work, slippery sliding over the granite, but the mild flowers make up for it all. Jack has never seen so many rock lilies in flower and numerous orchids were on the point of blooming.
-The party ambled up to the Caves House as a number wanted to do an inspection. + 
-Naturally the mob, arrayed in bush walking attire, aroused the curiosity of the popular picnickers and the Jenolan Caves House staff were intensly interested to hear the party had come right up the Harry's or Jenolan River. They said to their knowledge it was only the second time it had been done, and definitely the first time any girls had done the trip. So girls, on that trip you made history. The cave inspection over, more provisions were purchased and then Gordon, evidently keen on a little training for his +The party ambled up to the Caves House as a number wanted to do an inspection. Naturally the mob, arrayed in bush walking attire, aroused the curiosity of the popular picnickers and the Jenolan Caves House staff were intensely interested to hear the party had come right up the Harry's or Jenolan River. They said to their knowledge it was only the second time it had been done, and definitely the first time any girls had done the trip. So girls, on that trip you made history. The cave inspection over, more provisions were purchased and then Gordon, evidently keen on a little training for his forthcoming 24 hour walk set out at a good pace. Bert was out to show that hills were his meat even though it was poison to Bill and Jack, who lagged slightly behind after doing the first five miles in 1 hour 16 minutes, but caught up again before the camp spot. Just over 8 miles in 2 hours 2 minutes is not bad going with heavy packs. But it was a mere trifle to Gordon and Bill, for leaving Jack to cook the dinner they walked back to help the girls up the last stages of the hill. 
-forthcoming 24 hour walk set out at a good pace. Bert MS out to SIWW that hills were his meat even though it was poison to Bill and Jack, who lagged slightly behind after doing the first five miles in 1 hour 16 minutes, but caught up again before the oamp _ spot. Just over 8 miles in 2 hours 2 minutes is not bad going with heavy packs. But + 
-it was a mere trifle to Gordon and Bill, for leaving Jack to cook the dinner they walked back to help the girls up the last stages of the hill. +Roley was first up again next morning, rumour has it that he did not sleep so that he could be up before Jack. Camp was broken at 7-50 but the party found the walking easy, but not exceptionally interesting, going over Black Range. Before reaching Little River, Roley, who had injured his knee going through the Hell's Canyon on Harry's River but had not complained, experienced much pain in walking, and was forced to lag some distance behind the early starting "rabbits." There is little pleasure for anyone who has a wrenched limb on a trip and so at Little River a veritable jumble sale was hold whilst members dived into Roley's rucksack fighting for the honour of carrying the spoils, to the accompaniment of unheeded protests from Roley who was forcibly prevented from interfering with the proceedings. Why should the mere mention of helping an injured person carry his pack always bring forth loud protests, when the distribution of the pack's contents means only a slight additional weight to each person when divided among a number of willing helpers? 
-Roley was first up again next morning, rumour has it that he did not sleep so that he could be up before Jack. Camp WRS broken at 7-50 but the party found the walking easy, but not exceptionally interesting, going over Black Range. Before reaching Little River, Roley, who had injured his knee going through the Hell's Canyon on Harry's River but had not complained, experienced much pain in walking, and was forced to lag some distance behind the early starting "rabbits*" There is little pleasure for anycne who has a wrenched limb on a trip and so at Little River a veritable jumble sale was hold whilst members dived into Roley's rucksack fighting for the honour of carrying the + 
-spoils, to the accompaniment of unheeded protests from Roley who was forcibly prevented from interfering with the proceedings. Nhy should the mere mention of helping +The trip over Gibraltar Rocks to the Cox and into Megalong and up the Devil's Hole into Katoomba was devoid of any exceptional incidents other than the fact that the extreme heat when climbing out of the Cox Valley made the party realise that the weather was becoming too warm to do any heavy walking. 
-an injured person carry his pack always bring forth loud protests, when the distribution of the pack's contents means only a slight additional weight to each person when + 
-divided among a number of willing helpers? +It was a great trip and to Hilma's intense satisfaction was a decided answer to the knowalls who had all but prevented her from doing the trip upstream; for in their opinion the safer method was to take a car to Jenolan Caves House and walk down Harry's River. 
-The trip over Gilbraltar Rocks to the Cox and into Megalong and up the Devil's Hole +
-into Katoomba was devoid of any exceptional incidents other than the fact that the +
-extreme heat when climbing out of the Cox Valley made the party realise that the weather WRS becoming too warm to do any heavy walking. +
-It was a great trip and to Hilma's intense satisfaction VMS a decided answer to +
-the knowalls who had all but prevented her from doing the trip upstream; for in their +
-opinion the safer method WRS to take a car to Jenolan Caves House and walk down Harry's River.+
 So passed Eight Hour Week-end 1937. So passed Eight Hour Week-end 1937.
  
 ===== Antonio - A New Dolly Ballad. ===== ===== Antonio - A New Dolly Ballad. =====
  
-You 'member Noggs the Milkman, Ma, Poos goinl to mally Mary? Wloo always saved me lots of cream, An' telled me I'se a fairy? Well, onot he knewed a story Ma, About a fried-fish shop. I fink you'd like to hear it Ma, if only I can stop: Onolt they was two ITalians Ma, wis rings into their ears, Like the Fortune-Teller lady, we saw on Blackpool Piers. Ant a big one was a sailor, Ma, an' calls himself 'Anton', An' the other's bery small, Ma, an' so he stopped at home. +You 'member Noggs the Milkman, Ma, W'oos goin' to mally Mary?\\ 
-Ant a small one kept a fried-fish shop, on a corner of a street, +W'oo always saved me lots of cream, An' telled me I'se a fairy?\\ 
-Ant he'strimps, an' whelks, an' lobsters Ma, ant lots of fings to eat. +Well, once he knewed a story Ma, About a fried-fish shop. \\ 
-Ant in the afternoons, Ma, when a trade was raver slow +I fink you'd like to hear it Ma, if only I can stop:\\ 
-He'd stand outside ant puff his chest, an' tell of Antonio. An' peoples far an' wide, Ma, heard all about Anton, +One'they was two 'Talians Ma, wis rings into their ears,\\ 
-Of how he was a big, big man, ant weighed quite eighteen stone. +Like the Fortune-Teller lady, we saw on Blackpool Piers.\\ 
-"You not haf seen my Brudder, Sah?" The fried-fish man would say, "He bery bigga-da chest, Sah Da bery bigga-da thigh, +An' a big one was a sailor, Ma, an' calls himself 'Anton',\\ 
-"If anyone no pay me, Sah, He swipe-.a dem in da eye, +An' the other's bery small, Ma, an' so he stopped at home.\\ 
-"He gotta bigga-da sailing ship tattooed onto chest, +An' a small one kept a fried-fish shop, on a corner of a street,\\ 
-"Da talla-da mast, da bigga-da sail - (You like-a da lobster best?"+An' he's'rimps, an' whelks, an' lobsters Ma, an' lots of fings to eat.\\ 
-(Ma, why do 'Talians look so queer an' speak so bery funny?) +An' in the afternoons, Ma, when a trade was raver slow\\ 
-(Ant do they all have bruvers, Ma, to help 'em get a money?) Well, one day, Ma, when Anton's there, a sailor he come in, +He'd stand outside an' puff his chest, an' tell of Antonio.\\ 
-"You want-a da feesh, da oyster stack, da nice-a piece-a da brim?" The sailor asked for fish and chips an' sat down at a table, +An' peoples far an' wide, Ma, heard all about Anton,\\ 
-An' ate a lot of dinner, Ma, as much as he was able. +Of how he was a big, big man, an' weighed quite eighteen stone.\\ 
-An' Anton's lickle bruver come, an' asked him for a money +"You not haf seen my Brudder, Sah?" The fried-fish man would say,\\ 
-But sailor says he's got no beans, which I fink raver funny. Why are some peoples bery rich, like lickle Lottie Morgan? At others have to play for pennies on a barrel-organ? +"He bery bigga-da chest, Sah Da bery bigga-da thigh,\\ 
-Well, Anton must've heard a noise, for froo a door he dashes An' stands in front of sailor-man - a-twirlint his moustaches. +"If anyone no pay me, Sah, He swipe a dem in da eye,\\ 
-An' Anton says: "You gotta pay", an' a sailor says he can't, An' Anton raise his fist ant say: "I kick-a you in da pant, +"He gotta bigga-da sailing ship tattooed onto da chest,\\ 
-"If you no pay, I lift you up, an' break-a you on da table - "You tink you able seaman, eh? I make you not so able! "You see da muse, da ship I got tattooed onto da chest? "I hit you-so, an squeeze you-so, an' you go sailint-west!" An' Anton took his jacket off, an' made his muscles wiggle, But Sailor isn't flightened, Ma, for he began to giggle. An' this is haw it finished, Ma, as Anton's bruver told it: "Mine brudder Anton puff da chest until he cannot hold it, +"Da talla-da mast, da bigga-da sail - (You like-a da lobster best?")\\ 
-"He raisa da fist - he hit - he missHe make-a da little slip-Sah "Da sailor hit - oh poor Anton - da-ship - he sinka da ships Sala+(Ma, why do 'Talians look so queer an' speak so bery funny?)\\ 
-fink, Ma he'd be bery cross to go misout a money. +(An' do they all have bruvers, Ma, to help 'em get a money?)\\ 
-An' see poor Anton doubled up, an' holdin' of his tummy. +Well, one day, Ma, when Anton's there, a sailor he come in,\\ 
-I wisht if we could go an' see a friedopfish shop some day, I'd like to hear a ITalian talk that bery funny way. +"You want-a da feesh, da oyster stack, da nice-a piece-a da brim?"\\  
-An' that's all what the story was what Noggs the Milkman said, Ma, +The sailor asked for fish and chips an' sat down at a table,\\ 
-As,t ravar Tie= feark Anllv_ eh? ATI ImmIlle off to bed. Ma!+An' ate a lot of dinner, Ma, as much as he was able.\\ 
 +An' Anton's lickle bruver come, an' asked him for a money\\ 
 +But sailor says he's got no beans, which I fink raver funny.\\ 
 +Why are some peoples bery rich, like lickle Lottie Morgan?\\ 
 +At others have to play for pennies on a barrel-organ?\\ 
 +Well, Anton must've heard a noise, for from a door he dashes\\ 
 +An' stands in front of sailor-man - a-twirlin' his moustaches.\\ 
 +An' Anton says: "You gotta pay", an' a sailor says he can't,\\ 
 +An' Anton raise his fist ant say: "I kick-a you in da pant,\\ 
 +"If you no pay, I lift you up, an' break-a you on da table - \\ 
 +"You tink you able seaman, eh? I make you not so able! \\ 
 +"You see da muse, da ship I got tattooed onto da chest?\\ 
 +"I hit you-so, an squeeze you-so, an' you go sailint-west!"\\ 
 +An' Anton took his jacket off, an' made his muscles wiggle, \\ 
 +But Sailor isn't flightened, Ma, for he began to giggle. \\ 
 +An' this is how it finished, Ma, as Anton's bruver told it: \\ 
 +"Mine brudder Anton puff da chest until he cannot hold it,\\ 
 +"He raisa da fist - he hit - he missHe make-a da little slip-Sah \\ 
 +"Da sailor hit - oh poor Anton - da-ship - he sinka da ships Sah.\\ 
 +fink, Ma he'd be bery cross to go wisout a money.\\ 
 +An' see poor Anton doubled up, an' holdin' of his tummy.\\ 
 +I wisht if we could go an' see a fried-fish shop some day, \\ 
 +I'd like to hear a 'Talian talk that bery funny way. 
 + 
 +An' that's all what the story was what Noggs the Milkman said, Ma,\\ 
 +An' now I'se get my dolly eh? An wamble off to bed. Ma!
  
 9th. January, 1938. 9th. January, 1938.
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 Dear Madam, Dear Madam,
  
-My Club noted with interest a small paragraph in your last issue on the subject of the Kanangra.Kowmung Reservation. My Club also expressed a desire to send you further information hoping that you will be able to pass it on to your Club by publishing it in the next issue of the "Bush Walker."+My Club noted with interest a small paragraph in your last issue on the subject of the Kanangra-Kowmung Reservation. My Club also expressed a desire to send you further information hoping that you will be able to pass it on to your Club by publishing it in the next issue of the "Bush Walker." 
 At the moment, the reserve is for the preservation of native flora and fauna and its status has not yet been decided by the Government. At the moment, the reserve is for the preservation of native flora and fauna and its status has not yet been decided by the Government.
-Mr. Arthur Ldwndesi tactics in securing this area will be accepted as a model in future matters of the kind. He took a Cabinet Minister and various departmental heads to Kanangra, and then compiled a petition to the Government, supported by many photographs and the signatures of representative scientific, business and outdoors interests. This he presented to the Minister for Lands, who was favourably impressed, and the result Was the gazettal notice of October 15th. 1937. + 
-Whilst making this explanation, we wish also to pay a tribute to the work of Mr. M.J. Dunphy who was largely ruopomible for the preservation of the old Kanagra track for the use of walkroe and whose untiring efforts in the cause of Blue Mountain reservation are wall known to all. +Mr. Arthur Lowndes' tactics in securing this area will be accepted as a model in future matters of the kind. He took a Cabinet Minister and various departmental heads to Kanangra, and then compiled a petition to the Government, supported by many photographs and the signatures of representative scientific, business and outdoors interests. This he presented to the Minister for Lands, who was favourably impressed, and the result Was the gazettal notice of October 15th. 1937. 
-I am, etc., + 
-J. Gibson per H.M. Nhaite. Hon Secretary, +Whilst making this explanation, we wish also to pay a tribute to the work of Mr. M.J. Dunphy who was largely responsible for the preservation of the old Kanangra track for the use of walkers and whose untiring efforts in the cause of Blue Mountain reservation are well known to all. 
-Warrigal Club of N.S.Nr,+ 
 +I am, etc.,\\ 
 +J. Gibson [Jack Gibson] per H.M. Whaite[Harry Whaite]\\ 
 +Hon Secretary,\\ 
 +Warrigal Club of N.S.W.
  
 ===== It's a Terrible Strain. ===== ===== It's a Terrible Strain. =====
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 The Club started the New Year badly by Hilma Galliott turning up on the official walk in a pale green silk tennis suit, or play-suit, we think they call it. As luck would have it the party bumped into the official walk of the H.H. Club, the one club above all others requiring the example of proper bushwalking efficiency. Nor was The Club started the New Year badly by Hilma Galliott turning up on the official walk in a pale green silk tennis suit, or play-suit, we think they call it. As luck would have it the party bumped into the official walk of the H.H. Club, the one club above all others requiring the example of proper bushwalking efficiency. Nor was
-the worst. Flo Allsworth, the leader of the $.B.W., the leader, mind you, left h, rucksack behind and carried instead one of those handbags ladies use for holding baby's nappies. It is time something was done. The best thing would be an amendment of the constitution expelling all members who wear pale green silk play-suits or carry nappie-bags - anyhow if they meetthe H.H. Club or any other of the "lesser +the worst. Flo Allsworth, the leader of the S.B.W., the leader, mind you, left her rucksack behind and carried instead one of those handbags ladies use for holding baby's nappies. It is time something was done. The best thing would be an amendment of the constitution expelling all members who wear pale green silk play-suits or carry nappie-bags - anyhow if they meet the H.H. Club or any other of the "lesser breeds without the law." 
-breeds without the law." + 
-Frances Ramsay and Vera Phillips arrived safely by the Aorangi from Canada. All except new members T,',"13 recall that Frances loft us to take a teaching exchange in Scotland, and that 7- , aj a 2tC,) 7 E ,-.rezsmal:ing-business to go to the +Frances Ramsay and Vera Phillips arrived safely by the Aorangi from Canada. All except new members wil recall that Frances left us to take a teaching exchange in Scotland, and that Vera gave up flourishing dressmaking-business to go to the same place. When in London latter reply to an advertisement for an "experience dressmaker", got the job, and found herself making the Coronation robes. So now she will doubtless advertise as "formerly dressmaker to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth." 
-fleme, place. 7hen in . e ,171c a,:.iertiseLlent for an "experiencl + 
-dressmaker", got the job, and found hers.-Li m,--Lhg the Coronation robes. So now she will doubtless advertise as "formerly dre:=;clmaker to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth." +Three other old friends who dropped in recently were Buster Purnell on holiday from Melbourne, Morris Stephenson from the country, and Norrie Macdonald from some god-forsaken place where it is 20 miles to the nearest tree - probably it was to provide shade that he grew a moustache
-Three other old friends who dropne in reently were Duster Purnell on holnayf + 
-from Melbourne, Morris Stephenson from the country, and Norrie Macdonald from some god-forsaken place where it is 20 miles to the nearest tree - probably it was to provide shade that he grew a moustache; +Gwen Lawrie has left Sydney to take up work in the office of the "California" at Katoomba. It will be a wonderful opportunity for her to teach hikers and tourists to "burn and bury all their rubbish and their tins and hide their bottles as they would their sins!
-Gwen Lawrie has left Sydney to take up work in the office of the "California" + 
-at Katoomba. It will be a wonderful opportunity for her to teach hikers andI touriss to "burn and bury all their rubbish and theii4 tins and hide their bottles as they +Rumour has it that Norm Colton is engaged to someone who is neither a bush- walker nor a blonde! 
-mould their sins3+ 
-;- +We congratulate the flourishing firm of F.A. Pallin Proprietary Limited, the leading Australasian manufacturers of camp gear for walkers, on the holding of a staff picnic to mark the centenary (or was it the sesqui - or the deci-centenary?) of the firm's existence. May it hike ever onward towards greater success and prosperity! 
-Rumour has it that Norm Colton is engaged to gomeone who is niether a bush- walker nor a blonde! + 
-We congratulate the flourishing firm of P.A. Pallin Proprietary Limited, the +The third baby boy this summer is the son of Bill and Pearl Chambers. He, baby Duncan, and baby Reilly will form perhaps a Triumvirate for the Club a quarter of a century hence. 
-leading Australasian manufacturers of carp gear for walkers, on the holding of a staff +
-picnic-to mark the centenary (or was it the sesqui - or the deci-centenary?) of the +
-firm's existence. May it hike ever onward towards greater success and prosperity! +
-The third baby boy this summer is the son of Bill and Pearl Chambers. He, baby +
-Duncan, and baby Reilly wal form perhaps a Triumvirate for the Club a quarter of a +
-;T. century hence. +
-.re+
 If there is and gossip that has failed to illuminate the camp-fire circle it is because the better part of "Firelight" is shining on Barrington Tops! If there is and gossip that has failed to illuminate the camp-fire circle it is because the better part of "Firelight" is shining on Barrington Tops!
-5. 
  
 ===== News from Here There and Everywhere. ===== ===== News from Here There and Everywhere. =====
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 The following paragraph culled from an article by a New Zealand tramper in London is of very considerable interest:- The following paragraph culled from an article by a New Zealand tramper in London is of very considerable interest:-
-"Hiking (the word "tramping" is even more taboo here than in Australia), is quite a popular pastime in England, but the irritating factor to a colonial is that you cant t go where you please, but have to follow the lanes and certain pathways, and all the time seem to be crossing stiles. Nevertheless walking in England has a charm of its own by the quaint old villages to be found almost everywhere. It is not unusual to see men and women in shorts with rucksacks on their backs walking along Oxford Street London at any time of the day. Can you imagine that happening in Princes Street Dunedin?" or down Pitt Street Sydney? (Outdoors the official organ of the Otago Tramping Club, N.Z. Dec. 1937 Vol. 4. No, 2),+"Hiking (the word "tramping" is even more taboo here than in Australia), is quite a popular pastime in England, but the irritating factor to a colonial is that you can't go where you please, but have to follow the lanes and certain pathways, and all the time seem to be crossing stiles. Nevertheless walking in England has a charm of its own by the quaint old villages to be found almost everywhere. It is not unusual to see men and women in shorts with rucksacks on their backs walking along Oxford Street London at any time of the day. Can you imagine that happening in Princes Street Dunedin?" or down Pitt Street Sydney? (Outdoors the official organ of the Otago Tramping Club, N.Z. Dec. 1937 Vol. 4. No, 2),
  
 ==== Melbourne Men Walkers 43 Years Old and Still Young. ==== ==== Melbourne Men Walkers 43 Years Old and Still Young. ====
  
-The annual report of the Molbounlo Walking and Touring Club helps to remove the bad +The annual report of the Melbourne Walking and Touring Club helps to remove the bad taste left by that shocking motoring article in "The Melbourne Walker". The club itself appears to be very active judging by the number of walks and the numbers that patronize them. On re-union walks they seem to average about 40 and on Ladies' Day Walks a total of about 90. The club now numbers 171, but is calling out for increased membership. The Canadian Alpine Club is doing the same thing. On the other hand the Sydney Bush Walkers complain that their membership grows too rapidly. Apparently clubs always covet what they have not. It would be an interesting subject for an inter-club debate, the question of whether a large or small membership is more desirable.
-taste left by that shocking motoring article in "The Melbourne Walker". The club itself appears to be very active judging by the number of walks and the numbers that patronize +
-them. On re-union walks they seem to average about 40 and on Ladiest Day Walks a total of about 90. The club now numbers 171, but is calling out for increased membership. The Canadian Alpine Club is doing the same thing. On the other hand the Sydney Bush+
-Walkers complain that their membership grows too rapidly. Apparently clubs always covet what they have not. It would be an interesting subject for an inter-club debate, the question of whether a large or small membership is more desirable.+
 (Forty-third Annual Report of the Melbourne Walking and Touring Club). (Forty-third Annual Report of the Melbourne Walking and Touring Club).
  
 ==== How Hikers Bushwalk in Potomac. ==== ==== How Hikers Bushwalk in Potomac. ====
  
-Perhaps we do not often stop to think how differently the hiking or bushwalking or +Perhaps we do not often stop to think how differently the hiking or bushwalking or tramping (or whatever you will) movement has developed in Australia as compared with other lands. The objects of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club show that difference more clearly than do many articles: 
-tramping (or whatever you will) movement has developed in Australia as compared with other lands. The objects of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club show that difference + 
-more clearly than do many articles:- +"To open, develop, extend and maintain trails for walkers, mountain-climbers and nature-students in wooded and mountain regions - - and more particularly the Appalachian Trail - to construct and maintain camp sites, open shelters and permanent camps - - to collect data of interest to users of the trail concerning history, geology-, botany, forestry and wild life - - to prepare maps etc." - the rest of the objects are similar to our own. Bushwalkers often feel very superior because they need no tracks or shelters, but how many would be willing to give up one Sunday a month for a "work trip?" And do we take the trouble to acquaint ourselves with the botany, geology and forestry of the bush we pass through? This American Club has regular "nature trips" which aim at walking a mere five or six miles so that the members may really learn about things on the way. As usual each club may learn from every other. Probably we should find their walks ridiculously tame, but they could certainly run rings round us in other respects. Bulletin Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - October 1937.
-"To open, develop, extend and maintain trails for walkers, mountain-climbers and nature- +
-students in wooded and mountain regions - - and more particularly the Appalachian Trail - to construct and maintain camp sites, open shelters and permanent camps - - to collect data of interest to users of the trail concerning history, geology-, botany, forestry and mild life - - to prepare maps etc." - the rest of the objects are similar +
-to our own. Bushwalkers often feel very superior because they need no tracks or shelters, +
-but how many would be willing to give up one Sunday a month for a "work trip?" And do we take the trouble to acquaint ourselves with the botany, geology and forestry of the +
-bush we pass through? This American Club has regular "nature triRs" which aim at +
-walking a mere five or six miles so that the members may really learn about things on +
-the way. As usual each club may learn from every other. Probably we should find their +
-walks ridiculously tame, but they could certainly run rings round us in other respects. Bulletin Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - October 1937.+
  
 ==== Live Wires. ==== ==== Live Wires. ====
193802.1449200101.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/12/04 14:35 by emmanuelle_c

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