SECTION 13: TransportAfter the gold rushes settled down it was apparent that they had contributed greatly to the opening up of the country. Mud tracks, usually bullock tracks, certainly not worthy of the name 'roads', had been flattened by the continuing flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Businesses had also been established to provide for the travellers needs be it accommodation, thirst or general hardware.Because the cry of 'Rush away' was frequent and the miners fickle, the roads had grown quickly and effectively. Some led to valleys and creeks but, generally, they were a network that led to the next service town. Bullock drays were replaced by horse teams and, eventually, rail and motorised transport noisily pushed most of the faithful four-legged conveyances out of the way. The story of transport in Australia is a fascinating one that is still happening. There are plenty of songs, poems and lore created around transport. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Here's a short parody poem I collected from an anonymous manuscript (circa 1890s) in the Mitchell library. It has shades of Holy Dan. From what I can work out the old time bullockies really were top of the searing brigade. I was told that a strong curse is the only way to get the bullocks to behave.
Here's a ditty I wrote down in the early seventies. Apparently a bullocky in the Hill End district used to shout it from his five-horse dray when he passed another bullocky. I'm not too sure what a 'tip and slasher' was but the 'ribbons' referred to his reins.
Another bullocky song remnant was supposedly written for an old Gundagai storekeeper Frederick Gosse.
Transport was interrupted in Sydney by the appearance of a very dead cat.
I was interested in this item primarily because of the suggested tune which is an old-timey American song and, possibly a minstrel tune. I first heard it from Mike Seeger who had recorded it for The New Lost City Ramblers in the 1960s. I am no longer surprised by tunes that found themselves landed in Australia! The Cremorne was a hotel on the outskirts of Melbourne where thirsty Melbournites would travel to on a Sunday and, being travellers, were entitled to order alcohol. Thirst knows no distance.
THE EVENING STAR. 1979 Cheer up, Me lads, the navvies on the spree The Company's gone insolvent And the railways up a tree HORSE'S MEMORIAL From Midlands Tasmania Here lies who wheaten straw did munch Jones' old grey gelding punch No horse could better know the road For half the time it was his abode Long time he suffered from the gripe Or disarrangement's of his tripe But now he's gone, his troubles past Tom Roundtree saw him breathe his last. BOB THE RAILWAY DOG Quoted Patsy Adam Smith Outback Heroes In the 1890s the SA railways had their own dog. It was believed to be the pet of a deceased driver and it retained its nickname of bob the dog. A traveller had a special collar inscribed: Stop me not but let me jog, I am Bob the driver's dog' Bob had a habit of jumping onto the footplates PACK HORSES 1870s description The saddle generally used for packing consisted of a pair of well-stuffed leather covered flaps, extending from behind the horses shoulders to the flanks. On each flap near the top was riveted a stout wooden batten to give stability to the saddle and the whole was joined across the horses back by two iron arches, standing well up over the horse's backbone. On these arches were two iron hooks on which to hang the side pack. The saddle had tow girths, breastplate and crupper to keep it in position. It had four pack straps fitted to rings to hang on the saddle hooks and surcingle about 15 ft long to go round the complete pack. And hold everything in place. BULLOCKIES OATH Kiama Independent Advertiser 1887 "Do you know the nature of an oath ma'am?" inquired the judge. "Well, I reckon I 'orter" came the reply. "my husband's a bullock driver." MISCELLANEOUS Matthew Mark Luke and John Hold my horse while I get on Passengers will refrain From passing water while the train is at the station If you feel you really outa please call the railway porter THE FISH Papers of Cunningham Henderson B 1864 MLMSS1863 1864-1950 The 'Fish' train was so-called because the driver's name was Salmon, the fireman was Trout and guard Pike.
|
