RECOLLECTIONS

OF

BUSH LIFE IN AUSTRALIA,

DURING A

RESIDENCE OF EIGHT YEARS IN THE INTERIOR.

BY

HENRY WILLIAM HAYGARTH, ESQ.

LONDON:

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

1848.

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
FROM

THE BEQUEST OF

*VERT JANSEN WENDELL
1918

London: Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES and SONS, Stamford Street.

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS.

Page

1

CHAPTER I.

Early Impressions of Australia-Start for the Interior-Mode of Tra-

velling-Receding Civilization-Scenery—A Way-side Inn-Bush

Innkeepers - Alarming Reports-Passing the Boundaries of the

Colony-Definition of "the Bush”—Arrival at the Station

5

CHAPTER II.

A Head Station in the Interior-Disposition of the Stock-Arrange-

ment of the Buildings-Bush Architecture-An Out-station-Forming

a New Station-A Race for Fresh Pasture-A Settler's Stratagem—

Anecdotes Shifting Stock-Hardships-Mode of Watching Cattle

by Night-An Encampment in the Bush

13

•

CHAPTER III.

Society in the Inland Districts-Hospitality of Settlers-The Labouring

Classes State of Morality-Habitual Swearing-Intoxication—A

Bush Public-house-Anecdotes-An Inland "Spa"-Prospects of

Improvement

CHAPTER IV.

Report of Bushrangers-Its effect in the Neighbourhood-The Discom-

fited Settler-An Unwelcome Visit-Buchan Charley-His History

-Confessions of a Bushranger-The Mounted Police-Sequel of the

Career of Charley and his Gang.

35

CHAPTER V.

Page

Sheep-farming-Mode of Depasturing Sheep-Dislike of Shepherds

to their Vocation-Appearance of a Sheep-station-Unsettled Habits

of its Inmates-Wages-Laziness induced by the Occupation—

Shearing-Bush Shearers-Interior of a Woolshed at Shearing-time

-Conveyance of Wool to Sydney-Horse and Bullock Drays-

Life on the Road-Return of the Teams - The Catarrh-Cause

of the Disease-A. Head-station during the Catarrh-Lambing Time

-Management of the Ewes-Other diseases among Sheep-The Scab

-Causes-Mode of Cure-Difficulty of Preventing Contagion-

Regulations concerning Removal of Diseased Flocks-Foot-rot-

Sheep the best Stock in the Colony-Advice to Purchasers of Sheep. 43

CHAPTER VI.

-

Bush Cattle-Their interesting Habits-Rapid Increase-Mode of Ma-

nagement" Tailing"- Powerful Instinct-A "Rendezvous ".

Number Depastured together-A Muster-Speed of the Half-wild

Cattle-Stock Horses-"Cutting out" a Bullock-Bush Riding-

Propensity of Cattle to acquire Bad Habits-Loss to the Owner

occasioned thereby-Anecdote-A Muster by Moonlight-Interest-

ing Scene-Application of the term "Quiet "-Habits of the Bulls-

An Encounter upon the Plains-"Draughting" Cattle-Scene in a

Stock Yard-Description of a Cattle Enclosure in the Interior-

Branding Disadvantages in Selling-" Boiling Down "-Quality

of Australian Cattle-Hints to Breeders

55

CHAPTER VII.

The Half-wild Horses of the Interior-Roving Mode of Life-

Local Attachments-Appearance of a Large Herd on the Plains—

Entire Horses-The Vicious Habits they occasionally acquire-

Anecdote A Bush Incident-Value of a Good Saddle-Horse-

"Buckjumping"-Mode of Breaking Young Horses-Roping a Colt

-Horse Hunting - Irreclaimable Herds-A Rash Speculation-

Quality of Australian Horses-Advice to Breeders

73

CHAPTER VIII.

Economy of a Station-An "Up Country" Store-Mode of Transacting

Business Agriculture in the Bush-Diet-Receipt for "a Damper

-Killing a Bullock-Boundary Questions-A Court of Inquiry-

Sunday in the Far Districts

85

CHAPTER IX,

An Invitation-Expedition in Pursuit of Stray Cattle-Amos the Native

-A Day in the Gullies-Australian Night Scene-Tracking a Wild

Herd-The Chase and Return

Page

95

CHAPTER X.

First Visit from the Aborigines-Portrait of an Australian Savage

-Of a "Gin" or Female-Their Natural Character-A "Corro-

bory "-A "Pas seul "-Mental Powers of the Blacks-Language of

Intercourse with the Settlers-Religion-Weapons-The Spear and

Woomera-The Boomering-Its Construction and Peculiarities-

The Shield and Club-Duel with the Spear-With the Club-Theft

Detected-Departure of the Tribe

102

CHAPTER XI.

Incidents of Daily Life-Ride to a Sheep Station-Sporting in the Bush-

Native Dog-chace—Anecdote of a Tame Specimen-Business mingled

with Pleasure-Emu and Kangaroo-Shooting-Angling-The Pla-

typus, or Watermole-Snakes-Man Bitten-Effects of the Venom

-First Sight of a New Pastoral District-Picturesque Scene-Re-

marks upon the Climate of Australia

115

CHAPTER XII.

Character of Australian Scenery-Conflicting Statements of Travellers

-Trip to Lake Omio-My Companion-A Whimsical Reception-

Colonial Idea of a Bad Road-Wild and Forlorn View-A Team in

the Mountains-Colonial Drivers-Chapter of Accidents-Descent of

"The Gulf”—The Snowy River-Road by its Banks-Wild Oats—

Bark Canoe of the Aborigines-A Bush Ferry-The Nine-Mile

"Pinch"-Route through the Mountains-Events of the Road—A

Herd of Horses in the Mountains-Skill in Woodcraft-The "Free-

stone" Range-Striking Contrast-First Sight of Omio Plain-Pic-

turesque Spot-Our Host at Omio-Colonial Pets-Native Com-

panion - Kangaroos-White Cockatoos-Parrots-Story of the

White Woman carried off by the Wild Blacks-A Cool Visitor-

Return Home

124