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-THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER
+=====The Sydney Bushwalker=====
-A monthly Bulletin devoted to matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, 5-Hamilton Stret, Sydney
-No.121  J.LNIT.,Y, 1945 Price 6d.
+A monthly Bulletin devoted to matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, 5-Hamilton Street, Sydney
- EDITOR: Clare Kinsella PRODUCTION: Yvonne Rolfe
- ASST. Grace Jolly ASSIST. Alice Wyborn
+====No.121  January, 1945 Price 6d.====
- BUS.MAN. John Johnson SALTS & SUBS. Betty Dickenson,
-CONTENTS
+|**Editor**|Clare Kinsella|
-Something About Our Snakes D. Stead Page
+|**Assistant Editor**|Grace Jolly|
+|**Business Manager**|John Johnson|
-Climbing Snowden  I. Butler 4
+|**Production**|Yvonne Rolfe|
-Snakes Alive It  M. McGregor 5
+|**Production Assistant**|Alice Wyborn|
-BushFire Fighting Abores Australis 6
+|**Sales & Subscriptions**|Betty Dickenson|
-Notice re Monthly Meeting   8
-Notice re Request for Annu I  8
+=====Contents=====
-Notice re Map of HawkesburyR.  6
-About People 4 a. 0  9
+| | |Page|
-Letters from Lads o  10
+|Something About Our Snakes|D. Stead Page| 2|
-Federation Report   12
+|Climbing Snowden|I. Butler| 4|
-THE JACARANDA
+|Snakes Alive|M. McGregor| 5|
-Douglas Stewart,
+|BushFire Fighting|Abores Australis| 6|
-There is some sweetness not to be seen in air, Not to be tralped in rain, not to be found
+|Notice re Monthly Meeting| | 8|
-In earth, that made this sky of blossoms flare
+|Notice re Request for Annual| | 8|
-In blue and sparkling daylight out of the ground;
+|Notice re Map of Hawkesbury River| | 6|
-Some struggle of more than earth is in triumph here. It that gesture of joy and fulfilment lifted on high Where, dancing with pale blue fire, the branches rear
+|About People| | 9|
-And the dark twigs hold the sky up to the sky. There was a day when the mountain lories came
+|Letters from Lads| |10|
-Through the creekside gums in such a red flash of grace That a whole mountainside was turned to flame; I have seen the glory glow white in a woman's face;
+|Federation Report| |12|
-But nev,,.r more clearly than here on the delicate -Pyre Where the petals fall as the flames of sacrifice climb Have I seen that manifold Presence, that triumph of fire That flashes from nowhere down into space and time
-....11..m.....M.,
+=====The Jacaranda=====
-,
-SOMETHING ABOUT OUR SNAKES
+Douglas Stewart.
+There is some sweetness not to be seen in air,\\
+Not to be trapped in rain, not to be found\\
+In earth, that made this sky of blossoms flare\\
+In blue and sparkling daylight out of the ground;\\
+Some struggle of more than earth is in triumph here.\\
+It that gesture of joy and fulfilment lifted on high\\
+Where, dancing with pale blue fire, the branches rear\\
+And the dark twigs hold the sky up to the sky.
+There was a day when the mountain lories came\\
+Through the creekside gums in such a red flash of grace\\
+That a whole mountainside was turned to flame;\\
+I have seen the glory glow white in a woman's face;\\
+But never more clearly than here on the delicate pyre\\
+Where the petals fall as the flames of sacrifice climb\\
+Have I seen that manifold Presence, that triumph of fire\\
+That flashes from nowhere down into space and time.
+=====Something About Our Snakes=====
 By David D. Stead.
-*What famous bushwalker was it who said that the death adder is sum
+What famous bushwalker was it who said that the death adder is sum
 snake? Probably the one that discovered that one of the main differences
-between snakes and lizards is that a snake has no eyelids - it sees out of its snaked eyes Should a snake bite you while you are on a trip on no
+between snakes and lizards is that a snake has no eyelids - it sees out of its snaked eye! Should a snake bite you while you are on a trip on no account bite it back ac most Australian snakes are poisonous.
-account bite it back ac most Australian'snakes are poisonous, 7
-But to bo a more Pe:fiow, a:if? might Eay of the average person's
+But to be a  little more serious, one might say of the average person's knowledge of snakes that it isn't the things they don't know that matter,
-kmowlede cf sna;:ez; that It is it'; Clacy don't know that matter,
+it is the things they do know that aren't true.
-it is the things they do know that ak:'ent true.
-Quite a large volume could be filled with populary but erroneous beliefs about snakes, but at the moment it is merely proposed to deal with a few of the commoner fallacies and mention some points of interest regarding snakes, finishing up with a brief descrintion of some of our commonest local snakes,
+Quite a large volume could be filled with popular, but erroneous beliefs about snakes, but at the moment it is merely proposed to deal with a few of the commoner fallacies and mention some points of interest regarding snakes, finishing up with a brief description of some of our commonest local snakes.
-The most elementary Inlowletdge of anatomy would show the impossibility of many of the acts credited to snakes by credulous humans including, I am afraid, far too many mombers of the S.B.W.
-While it is obvious that buehwalkers should be moderately careful where snakes, particularly large ones, are concerned, it should be remembered that snakes have no desire to encounter humans and almost invariably make themselves very scarce long before they are seen, The death adder is a nossible exception, and on account of its dirty drab colouring frequently prefers to risk being stepped on than to make itself more obvious by wriggling away and this brings us to our first fallacy.-
+The most elementary knowledge of anatomy would show the impossibility of many of the acts credited to snakes by credulous humans including, I am afraid, far too many members of the S.B.W.
-L, Th,? death adder does not sting with its tail. It does not ne-d to -
-,
+While it is obvious that buehwalkers should be moderately careful where snakes, particularly large ones, are concerned, it should be remembered that snakes have no desire to encounter humans and almost invariably make themselves very scarce long before they are seen. The death adder is a possible exception, and on account of its dirty drab colouring frequently prefers to risk being stepped on than to make itself more obvious by wriggling away and this brings us to our first fallacy.
-its business end is its head and is sufficiently deadly not to require
-any assistance from a stinging tail. The spine at the end of the tail is
+. The death adder does not sting with its tail. It does not need to - its business end is its head and is sufficiently deadly not to require any assistance from a stinging tail. The spine at the end of the tail is used as an anchor in soft sand or soil to increase leverage and so assist the numerous belly plates or scales on which all snakes travel. Each of these plates is, of course, attached to a pair of ribs and the harmonious movement of these ribs backwards and forwards which cants the scales so that the rear edge catches on almost microscopic irregularities of surface, is only one of the many wonderful ways in which living things have adapted themselves to their environment over a long period.
-used as an anchor in soft sand or soil to increase leverage and so assist the numerous belly plates-or scales on which all snakes travel, Each of
-these plates is, of course, attached to a pair of ribs and the harmonious
+, The fangs of a snake are not to be confused with its tongue which it darts in and out of its mouth continually; this is so obvious that I hesitate to mention it but I have heard bushwalkers speak of the fangs when referring to the tongue. The tongue is used as a sensory organ and possibly assists a combined sense of taste and smell by carrying back into the mouth microscopic odorous particles. The fangs are a pair of hollow or grooved teeth through which the vemom is injected into the victim.
-movement of these ribs backwards and forwards which cants the scales so that the rear edge catches on almost microscopic irregularities of surface, is only one of the many wonderful ways in which living things have adapted themselves to their environment oirer a long period,
-, The fangs of a snake are notjto be confused with its tongue which it
+. Snakes do not swallow their young when danger threatens and disgorge them afterwards. Despite the accounts of otherwise reliable witnesses this feat is quite impossible. Large snakes frequently consume small ones, possibly their own offspring, but the digestive processes of reptiles are very rapid and after even a brief period in the stomach, the contents would be very dead, and snakes have no special compartment between the mouth and the stomach in which to conceal young snakes until danger passes. Some of our snakes, notably the black and the tiger, bear living young, and many times an adult female must have been killed and cut open and a number of fully developed living young found in the oviducts which to an ignorant person might have been mistaken for the stomach.
-darts in and out of its mouth continually; this is so obvious that I hesitate to mention it but I have heard bushwalkers speak of the fangs when
-referring to the tongue. The tongue is used as a sensory organ and possibly
+. If you kill a snake, (be careful it is not one of the harmless species) its mate will not follow you to your next campsite and bite you during the night.
-asic*a R combined sense of taste and smell by carrying be ck into the mouth
-mi:Drr:sr;opic odorous particles, The fangs are a pair of hollow or grooved toeth 1l=r3ugh which the vemom is injected into the victim,
+. The fabulous ring or hoop snakes which have been described from time to time are as mentioned - fabulous. These are supposed to take their tail in their mouth when in a real hurry, form their body into a ring or hoop and go bowling along at a terrific speed. I will not comment.
-f,rake2 do not swallow their young when danger threatens and disgorge
-tin :treards, Despite the accounts of otherwise reliable witnosses this
+. In a number of cases in our dairying country, carpet and diamond snakes - non venomous and quite harmless - have been accused of milking cows. While these snakes must frequently have been found in and around cow bails and possibly near cows which had gone dry, it would be quite impossible for a snake to milk a cow. Snakes are unable to suck, their teeth are severely recurved in the mouth so that once they fastened onto a cow's teat it would be impossible, or almost so, for them to let go of their own accord, and finally even a large snake could only hold quite a small quantity of milk or any other liquid.
-feat is quite imloosPible. Large snakes frequently consu3rn
-,7,--).1)171- their own offspring, but the digestive proceoses of reptiles are very rapid and after even a brief period in the stomach, the contents
+. An even more fantastic idea, held by some bushmen regarding snakes, is that a ring of rope laid around the camp will protect those within the ring from visitations by snakes. Snakes have frequently been found asleep on coils of rope or across one or more strands of rope in many places on the coast and in any case it would take much more than a strand of rope to prevent a snake from travelling to its destination wherever it happened to be.
-.
-would be very dead, and snakes have no special comnartment between the mouth and the stomach in which to conceal young snakes until danger passes. Some of our -snakes, notably the black and the tiger, bear living young, and many times an adult female must have been killed and cut open and a number of fully developed liVing young. found in the oviducts which to an ignorant person might have been mistaken for the stomach.
+. We will finish up with the old one about a snake killed during the day not dying till sunset. This idea has resulted from the contraction of certain muscles in a snake which has been killed or severely injured and which is caused by reflex action. It is not by any means an invariable rule and many of you must have seen snakes which are quite "dead" within a very short time of being bashed several times by some intrepid bushwalker.
-. If you kill a snake, (be careful it is not one of the herelless species) its mate will not follow you to your next campsite and bite you during the night.
-. The fabulous ring or hoop snakes which have been described from time to time are as mentioned - fabulous, These are eutrosed to take their tail in their mouth when in a real hurry, form their body into a ring or hoop and go bowling along at a terrific speed. I will not comment,
+====Notes On Our Local Snakes====
-. In a number of crlses in our dairying country, cerpet and diemond snakes - non venomous and quite harmlese - have been accused of milking cows. While these snakes must frequently have been found in and around cow bails and possibly near cows which had gone dry, it would be quite impossible for a snake to milk a cow. Snakes are unable to suck, their teeth are severely recurved in the mouth so that once they fastened onto a cow/e teat it would be impossible, or almost so, for them to let go of their own accord, and finally even a large snake could only hold quite a small quantity of milk or any other liquid.
-" An even more fantastic idea, held by some bushmen regarding snakes,
+I will take the commonest snakes only and group them into harmless and dangerous. The harmless ones include the Carpet, the Diamond and the Green and Brown Tree snakes.
-is that a ring of rope laid around the camp will protect those within the ring from visitations by snakes. Snakes have frequently been found asleep on coils ol rope or across one or more strands of rope in many places on the coast and in any case it would take much more than a strand of rope to prevent a snake from travelling to its 4estination wherever it happened to be.
-. We will finish up with the old one about a snake killed during the day not dying till sunset. This idea has resulted from the contraction of certain muscles in a :snake which has been killed or severely injured and which is caused by reflex action. It is not by any means an invariable rule and many of you must have seen snakes which are quite "dead" within a very short time of being bashed several times by some intrepid buehwalker.
+The Carpet snake reaches a length of 14 feet, but is freqUently found from 8 to 10 feet in length. The ground colour is pale brown with irregular darker markings which give it its name. It is a very handsome reptile and should not be killed. It is a tree snake and in common with the diamond and green and brown tree snakes, is equipped with two leg like spurs which are the rudiments of hind legs, these spurs assisting in climbing. Found in all the coastal mountain districts from the South Coast of New South Wales right up into tropical Queensland.
-NOTES ON OUR LOCAL SNAKES. I will take tha commonest snakes only and group them into harmless and dangerous. The harmless ones include the 'Carpet, the Diamond and the Green and Brown Tree snakes.
-The Carpet snake reaches a length of 14 feet, but is freqUently found from 8 to 10 feet in length, The ground colour is tale brown with irregular darker markings which give it its name. It is a very handsome reptile and should not be killed. It is a tree snake and in common with the diamond and green and brown tree snakes, is equirped with two leg like spurs which are the rudiments of hind legs, these spurs assisting in climbing, Found in all the coastal mountain districts from the South Coast of New South Wales right up into tropical Queensland.
+A variety of the same species is the Diamond Snake which differs from the carpet in having a dark blue to black back with diamond shaped clusters of yellow dots. These snakes are true pythons and kill their prey by crushing. They lay eggs which they incubate by lying in a coil above them to keep them moist.
-A variety of the same species is the Diamond Snake which differs from the carpet in having a dark blue to bl-ck back with diamond shaped clusters of yellow dots. These snakes are true pythons and kill their prey
-v crush th ine. Thee lay es which they incubate by lying in a coil above them
+The Green and the Brown Tree snakes are also harmless. They grow to about 6 feet in length, are very slender, and are exceedingly graceful as they glide among the trees in the rain forests of the coastal mountains where they live. The Green Tree snake varies in shade of green and is hard to see amongst the green foliage. The brown of the Brown Tree snake matches the bark of many of the trees perfectly. Both of them lay egg which are hatched out by the parent in a similar manner to that used by the pythons.
-to leeet ta moist. creo
-The Green and the Brown Tree snakes are also harmless. They grow to about 6 feet in length, are very slender, and are exceedingly graceful as they glide among the trees in the rain forests ef the coastal mountains where they live, The Green Tree snake varies in shade of green and is hard to see amomgst the green foliage, The brown of the Brawn Tree smalc,e matches the bark of many of the trees perfectly. toth of them lay egg: which are hatched out by the parent in a similar manner to that used by the pythons,
+(My allotted space has run out but next month I hope to deal briefly with the dangerous snakes and perhaps write a few notes on some very different reptiles, the Crocodiles and the Turtles).
-VMy allotted space has run out but next month I hope to deal briefly with the dangerous snakes and perhaps Wtite a few not on some very , different reptiles, the Crocodilee and the Turtles),
- ------
+=====Climbing Snowden=====
-CLIMBING SNOWDEN - ' Iret Ble!aer.
-I have be'en very busy werkinE nearly e7nry dny and night either in ,Wales'or'in Londo;:1,; Heve managed to see a fair bit of the' ccUntry however,and during most of last week wo had a tour of some of tlie agricultural country around Birmingham, :
+Ira Butler.
-Must tell you about the only day we had off while we were in Wales,
-I climbed Snowaon af,ter alJ - and mi sts don't look'much better from the top of ,Mt,Snowdon than :tcy (z v.D the to 1:1 of any other mountain. The rain and the fine 'hail and the cold wted, however, were a bit exceptional, and I.dontt quite remember an ocoasion Mien the edges of my 'ears and my eyebrows, the top part of my Cheek and to a,loser extent the Whole windward side of my face felt quite
+I have been very busy working nearly every day and night either in Wales or in London. Have managed to see a fair bit of the country however, and during most of last week we had a tour of some of the agricultural country around Birmingham.
-HO somevhat like my feet felt the last time I crossed the Cox in winter time.
-We set out from Colwyn ,Bay at the early'hou'r ,of 7.10 a,me and caue;ht a ,train from Llandudno to Bettis-y-coed(proh,Bettoosee-coid),There round the 1au:e8 of' 9 to 10 we wandexed Ivo and down amongst the various hostelries looking far'seme breakfast, No one wanted to give us any and we began to be very impresred with the efficiency of British food rationing and the short-ze of
+Must tell you about the only day we had off while we were in Wales. I climbed Snowden after all - and mists don't look much better from the top of Mt. Snowden than from the top of any other mountain. The rain and the fine hail and the cold wind, however, were a bit exceptional, and I don't quite remember an occasion when the edges of my ears and my eyebrows, the top part of my cheek and to a lesser extent the whole windward side of my face felt quite so painful - somewhat like my feet felt the last time I crossed the Cox in winter time.
-domestto staff when ire found a shop selling some rather'iniserable but very acceptable apples. Shortly afterwards we found a place which agreed to provide
-a meal and produced-some quite good bacon and eggs (dried,- scrambled)land toast and Marmalade,
+We set out from Colwyn Bay at the early hour of 7.10 a.m. and caught a train from Llandudno to Bettws-y-coed (pronounced Bettoos-ee-coid). There round the hours of 9 to 10 we wandered up and down amongst the various hostelries looking for some breakfast. No one wanted to give us any and we began to be very impressed with the efficiency of British food rationing and the shortage of
-We then caught 'a bus to some unpronouncable Welsh village and then hitch-hiked on a RA.F,transport to some other eqUally unpronouncable village, We walked a short distance along a road and then took the Pig track to Snowdon.
+domestic staff when we found a shop selling some rather miserable but very acceptable apples. Shortly afterwards we found a place which agreed to provide
-The Welsh mountain country is grand - a real Bushwalkerst paradise. Treeless country with high knife-edge ridge-little mountain streams cscading down, lakes scattered all about and Welsh long-tailed sheep grazing around, The only. country I've seen anything like it in Australia is the Cradle Mt country in Tasmania, '
+a meal and produced some quite good bacon and eggs (dried - scrambled), and toast and marmalade.
-We spron ran into ahowera and these became more frequent as we,neared Snowdon,, Wore we entered 'the cloud area we were thoroughly wet.
-EMerging on the other. side of the cloud we found a crofter's cottage
+We then caught a bus to some unpronouncable Welsh village and then hitch-hiked on a R.A.F. transport to some other equally unpronouncable village. We walked a short distance along a road and then took the Pig track to Snowden.
-Csplo to relax to bho acQompaniment of a cn1) of ti and a bIed and (jyYne safidw:lch. Went past more streams and lakes and so down to a bus and trc.130 through Carnaevon,
-have to write you a lyric on the Enr-1.1.sh pub - its easily the bee-!. eC Li he English Institutions even though the beer is weal:. ceirec,rc:d With 2,o-4-L.r,
+The Welsh mountain country is grand - a real Bushwalkers' paradise. Treeless country with high knife-edge ridges, little mountain streams cascading down, lakes scattered all about and Welsh long-tailed sheep grazing around. The only country I've seen anything like it in Australia is the Cradle Mt. country in Tasmania.
-Ela,u not been worried by buzz-bombs, although as you may have read there are etill a few 1bo'ut,
-SNAKES ALIVE - by M McGreeor
+We soon ran into showers and these became more frequent as we neared Snowden. Before we entered the cloud area we were thoroughly wet.
-"Look out.'" It was a rather belated cry because half the party had already walked over the black snake which was coiled in some grass on the track. The snake itself didn't seem to be worried at all by our presence for now quite a few people were gathered about it, watching, But, Hark the cry is David, And lo the scrub divides (with apologies), "A 'snake, where is it?" shouted he president pounding up to the group, but apparently tbe serpent had also heard that the doubty snake catcher was coming, so he beat a hasty retreat and successfully defeated all attempts to find him again,
-It was a beautiful place for snakes, a moist soak, with waist high reeds and low scrub. David rubbed hie hand reflectively over his chin, "Hmmm, I think I'll walk up the soak a bit. I've got my snake bag, I might catch one OT ---"
+Emerging on the other side of the cloud we found a crofter's cottage where we were able to relax to tho accompaniment of a cup of tea and a bread and cheese sandwich. Went past more streams and lakes and so down to a bus and train home through Carnarvon.
-As soon as the words were out, Peter and I ranged ourselves alongside him and asked if we might accompany him, He agreed and we set off walking slowly, ankle deep in mudt looking for and hoping to see a snake(Some people are mad).
-While we were vorking our way Up the swamp David gave us a few hints about places where they like to coil up and he also begged us to keep as quiet as possible, He even went so far as to say that if we were unlucky enough to be bitten not to shout and frighten any ether snakes in the vicinity but to, say. calmly, "This is it", He beamed down at us and added, "I have my universal antidete with me so there is na need to worry". These few words cheered us up a greateleal, as you can well imagine, but net wishing to appear scared,. we st=lt to our self appointed task and kept our eyes down.
+Shall have to write you a lyric on the English pub - its easily the best of all the English Institutions even though the beer is weak compared with pre-war.
-Things were going beautifully (not a snake to be seen) when quite cudeenly Peter shot vertically into the air to the amazing height of fifteen feet, (both David and I are quite sure on this point) and,while suspend'ed th're he uttered the magic word "snnnnnake",
-He came down shortly afterwards and the three of us surrounded a small clump of reeds into which our Quarry had disappeared, Peter and David were armed with -short sticks and carefully I se-?arated the grasses until the bla ck body of. our
+Have not been worried by buzz-bombs, although as you may have read there are still a few about.
-o victim was exposed, Onel two and the sticks held him firms a little wait and then his head came into view; the hindmast stick (it ,is ao difficult to tell which is the front ot back end when a eneke is all coiled up) was
- moved to a position just behind the h ad. The next move in this "Saga of the Swamp" was enacted by David, in went his hand, and his thumb and forefinger clamped themselves about its heck and'a black snake about four feet long was
+=====Snakes Alive=====
- withdrawn from its retreat. Very carefully I photographed the final stage, then popping the catch into David'sbag we made off towards the rest of the party.
-When we reached them the Inake was empticd out on to the road for all and sundry to see and "admire" whilst we explained and demonstrated how it was done by re-catching and re-bagging the specimen,
+by M McGregor
-Ne 'rank Buck or MaTtin Johnstcne could ever have been so proud as we were
- about our ali alive" catch. We 'were walking on, gazing into space envisioning all kinds of exploits in the "Bring 'Em Back Alive" sphere, when Bill Hall, who was quite some distance in front of the main group rudely smashed all our dreams. We saw hin, armed with a sturdy sapling, viciously belabouring
+"Look out." It was a rather belated cry because half the party had already walked over the black snake which was coiled in some grass on the track. The snake itself didn't seem to be worried at all by our presence for now quite a few people were gathered about it, watching. But, Hark! the cry is David. And lo the scrub divides (with apologies). "A snake, where is it?" shouted the president pounding up to the group, but apparently the serpent had also heard that the doubty snake catcher was coming, so he beat a hasty retreat and successfully defeated all attempts to find him again.
-stt
-.
+It was a beautiful place for snakes, a moist soak, with waist high reeds and low scrub. David rubbed hie hand reflectively over his chin. "Hmmm, I think I'll walk up the soak a bit. I've got my snake bag, I might catch one Or ---"
-the ground. It could only mean one thing; another snake. We galloped up, quite ready to offer eur services but it was too late the job was done. With tears in our eyes we gazed at the carnage wrought by Bill's sapling. A once "beautiful" serpent lay before us, I supeose a moral could be taken from this part of the story -- A good snake is a dead one, because Bill's specimen was twice as fat and a good deal longer than the one we had taken such pains to catch aliVe.
-BUSH-FIRE FIGHTING By. ABORES AUSTRALIS
+As soon as the words were out, Peter and I ranged ourselves alongside him and asked if we might accompany him. He agreed and we set off walking slowly, ankle deep in mud, looking for and hoping to see a snake (Some people are mad).
-There are very few properly organised bush-fire fighting services in Australia. This is what happens when such is available and to know about it may assist volunteers who are inexperienced. The Uticer-m-ehacge notified
-and works out the location of the fire by zroFs telc,p11)nr d from two
+While we were working our way up the swamp David gave us a few hints about places where they like to coil up and he also begged us to keep as quiet as possible. He even went so far as to say that if we were unlucky enough to be bitten not to shout and frighten any other snakes in the vicinity but to say calmly, "This is it". He beamed down at us and added, "I have my universal antidote with me so there is no need to worry". These few words cheered us up a great deal, as you can well imagine, but not wishing to appear scared, we stuck to our self appointed task and kept our eyes down.
-or more look-outs, He then sends out one motor truck wieh a meal] party of men. This will be followed by another with war tank and pure, or the first truck may take both men and tank. Some responsible indvi,dual will be sent out with the first truck whose duty it iv to hic all round the fire, find out just how big and how bad it is, decide hew many meneand how much gear are needed to deal wtth it and arrar8o with the Officer-in.-Charge for the necessary re-infercements,
-A great deal depends upon the judgment of the man who does this work and his ability to fereceLst the weather during the next twenty-four hours or obtain the forecast from official meteorologists. If very bad weather is approaching he wi?1 play safe and back-fire from a wide trail or even a main road 3 if only normill weather is approaching he will go right into or very close to the fire,
+Things were going beautifully (not a snake to be seen) when quite suddenly Peter shot vertically into the air to the amazing height of fifteen feet, (both David and I are quite sure on this point) and while suspended there he uttered the magic word "snnnnnake".
-If the fire is very small a frontal attack may be mad without any burning back. This is an attack right on the fire with rakes, bushes and knapsack pumps with ladywood sprays, of which we shall say more later,
-Having decided the extent and potentialiti:s of the fire, and unless very small a trail must be cut two to six feet wide, This trail must be thoroughly cleared of all sticks, bark and grass. The light rubbish is raked to the fire- ward side and froms a convenient windrow for lighting, The heavy logs,branches 'and masses of bark must however be taken well away on the lee side, As much as possible of the dead logs and brenches must be cleared from the fireward side of the trail for a distance of up to twenty yards or more. The ultimate chanoes of holding the fire depend to a very large extent on the thoroughness with which the trail is raked 'and cleared in the first Place.
+He came down shortly afterwards and the three of us surrounded a small clump of reeds into which our quarry had disappeared. Peter and David were armed with short sticks and carefully I separated the grasses until the black body of our
-If the fire is a large one, the trail will have been out anything up to six miles in front of it; it will be a full six feet wide and may involve felling trees if it cannot be kept on the fire-side of them. The trail having bncrt out7 the fun commenoeu and all volunteexel men and women aLd chndren are ufee-e, Tte firingbck stprts generally at night or in the la a:ruoon
+victim was exposed. One! two! and the sticks held him firm; a little wait and then his head came into view; the hindmast stick (it is so difficult to tell which is the front or back end when a snake is all coiled up) was moved to a position just behind the head. The next move in this "Saga of the Swamp" was enacted by David, in went his hand, and his thumb and forefinger clamped themselves about its neck and a black snake about four feet long was withdrawn from its retreat. Very carefully I photographed the final stage, then popping the catch into David's bag we made off towards the rest of the party.
-ar,j a'nged along the trail h,ve the work of pff,7f,ntli13 cy arks from
-it, It is wildly e:cniting punn-LrIF down on sack end ,Lin rot, Everyone forgets to be tired and it is just a grafd ad-Jup
+When we reached them the snake was emptied out on to the road for all and sundry to see and "admire" whilst we explained and demonstrated how it was done by re-catching and re-bagging the specimen.
-.7u1D:y the fire will burn beck fairly well e-ren though it is against the wind, Let us assume that all has gone well and the fireha$ burned back
-....101.....1 1.1....1.......
+No Frank Buck or Martin Johnstone could ever have been so proud as we were about our "all alive" catch. We were walking on, gazing into space envisioning all kinds of exploits in the "Bring 'Em Back Alive" sphere, when Bill Hall, who was quite some distance in front of the main group rudely smashed all our dreams. We saw him, armed with a sturdy sapling, viciously belabouring the ground. It could only mean one thing; another snake. We galloped up, quite ready to offer our services but it was too late the job was done. With tears in our eyes we gazed at the carnage wrought by Bill's sapling. A once "beautiful" serpent lay before us. I suppose a moral could be taken from this part of the story -- A good snake is a dead one, because Bill's specimen was twice as fat and a good deal longer than the one we had taken such pains to catch alive.
-te -Mle main fire and extinguished it. Now the really difficult and con-
-sc:Leetious work begins, all the more difficult because by this time there has probably arrived a waggon of free beer from the hotel, You have perhaps read how much such and such a fire was got under, eCearted up again the next day, and so on clay after day, until the r-in came and did the work which the fire-fighters could have done perfectly well if they had been well trained and disciplined,
+=====Bush-Fire Fighting=====
-Tljs is what lay behind that laconic nt'euspaper report that the fire rei3ta:c4;ed, The flmes had died down and with them had also died the excite- meet ee t 17.; h.,Drolo volunteers 61)(1(3en1y,roalso that they are wearr,
-arfi ralar e L L. -- with thr backs to the
+By Abores Australis.
-fire -- hoca discusEing their adventures.
-Then up comes the inevitable gust of wind, away goes a shower of sparks over the trail and the fire is off again, If that particular jumpover cur ot be controlled the whole party must retreat to another line of defence, and start the. whole job over again. Even without the gust of wind the fire will very likely sneak across the trail in a section that was carelessly raked, or it may invisiblyFcreep along between the bark and theewood on the
+There are very few properly organised bush-fire fighting services in Australia. This is what happens when such is available and to know about it may assist volunteers who are inexperienced. The Officer-in-Charge notified and works out the location of the fire by cross bearings telephoned from two or more look-outs. He then sends out one motor truck with a small party of men. This will be followed by another with water tank and pump, or the first truck may take both men and tank. Some responsible individual will be sent out with the first truck whose duty it is to hike all round the fire, find out just how big and how bad it is, decide hew many men and how much gear are needed to deal with it and arrange with the Officer-in-Charge for the necessary reinforcements.
-underside of a big log that someone was toe tired to chop right through.
-It is because oftthis danger that the experienced forester tries to
+A great deal depends upon the judgment of the man who does this work and his ability to forecast the weather during the next twenty-four hours or obtain the forecast from official meteorologists. If very bad weather is approaching he will play safe and back-fire from a wide trail or even a main road; if only normal weather is approaching he will go right into or very close to the fire.
-hold his own men back to conserve their strength until this time in order to do what is called the "monning up". This consists of completaly_extit2.guishing the remains of the fire for a distence sufficiently far back from the edge of the trail to prevent any' possible chance of a spark blowing-across, Dead trees and trees with broken dead branches in their tops are perticularly
-de.:eecTeeus and Must be felled even though they be ut to twelve fee"-6 in girth.
+If the fire is very small a frontal attack may be mad without any burning back. This is an attack right on the fire with rakes, bushes and knapsack pumps with ladywood sprays, of which we shall say more later.
-A Jng1e spark landing on the to of broken stub in the top of a tree will smoulder away and eventually send out sparks which will carry the fire over the
-trail. A hollow tree roars like a blest furnaCe and showers the country
+Having decided the extent and potentialities of the fire, and unless very small a trail must be cut two to six feet wide. This trail must be thoroughly cleared of all sticks, bark and grass. The light rubbish is raked to the fire-ward side and forms a convenient windrow for lighting. The heavy logs, branches and masses of bark must however be taken well away on the lee side. As much as possible of the dead logs and branches must be cleared from the fireward side of the trail for a distance of up to twenty yards or more. The ultimate chances of holding the fire depend to a very large extent on the thoroughness with which the trail is raked and cleared in the first place.
-side with sparks.. A stump may be completely burnt o-ut yet carry fire along one of its roots to pop up on the other side of the trail a week, mexybe two weeks, afterwerds. Mopping up there-fore me ns cutting treesv grubbing stumps and examining ashes and the ground beneath them with the naked hand. A fire is not considered as being extinguished until the naked be:nd,Can play with
-it happily. Mopping up is hard, dreary work and often means many burns,
+If the fire is a large one, the trail will have been cut anything up to six miles in front of it; it will be a full six feet wide and may involve felling trees if it cannot be kept on the fire-side of them. The trail having been cut, the fun commences and all volunteers, men and women and children are useful. The firing-back starts generally at night or in the late afternoon and the people ranged along the trail have the work of preventing sparks from getting around it. It is wildly exciting pouncing down on sparks and putting them out. Everyone forgets to be tired and it is just a grand adventure.
- For moping up you cannot have too much water, a thousand gallon tanker-waggon with powerful pump which will force the water into the tiniest
-cracks of logs or stumps is the thing, if you have one. If'yoil havealt and in rough cOuntry,' the humble'knapsack water-container with Lad'ywbo'd
+Usually the fire will burn back fairly well even though it is against the wind. Let us assume that all has gone well and the fire has burned back to the main fire and extinguished it. Now the really difficult and conscientious work begins, all the more difficult because by this time there has probably arrived a waggon of free beer from the hotel. You have perhaps read how much such and such a fire was got under, started up again the next day, and so on day after day, until the rain came and did the work which the fire-fighters could have done perfectly well if they had been well trained and disciplined.
-spray is' worth its wetght in gold. This has an adjustable nozzle like a hose ana it is surprising how far five gallons of water will go when sent out throul a fine nozzle, It has a fine mist spray which is used for damping
-done, eeass and a fine needle spray for cutting inta ash bed and 'the insides of legs and stumps,
+This is what lay behind that laconic newspaper report that the fire  restarted. The flames had died down and with them had also died the excitement and fun. The heroic volunteers suddenly realise that they are weary, and ?? under the shade of a tree -- with their backs to the fire -- and begin discussing their adventures.
-Even though a fire may be thoroughly mopped up by careful and conse-;ee tceue men there is still a good chance that it will break out again,
-and 0 lercvnt this or to control the new fire should it break out again,
+Then up comes the inevitable gust of wind, away goes a shower of sparks over the trail and the fire is off again. If that particular jumpover cannot be controlled the whole party must retreat to another line of defence, and start the whole job over again. Even without the gust of wind the fire will very likely sneak across the trail in a section that was carelessly raked, or it may invisibly creep along between the bark and the wood on the underside of a big log that someone was too tired to chop right through.
-the frai.T. must be patrolled for several d ys after the mopping up hoe been
-.
+It is because of this danger that the experienced forester tries to hold his own men back to conserve their strength until this time in order to do what is called the "mopping up". This consists of completely extinguishing the remains of the fire for a distance sufficiently far back from the edge of the trail to prevent any possible chance of a spark blowing across. Dead trees and trees with broken dead branches in their tops are particularly dangerous and must be felled even though they be up to twelve feet in girth. A single spark landing on the top of broken stub in the top of a tree will smoulder away and eventually send out sparks which will carry the fire over the trail. A hollow tree roars like a blast furnace and showers the countryside with sparks. A stump may be completely burnt out yet carry fire along one of its roots to pop up on the other side of the trail a week, maybe two weeks, afterwards. Mopping up therefore means cutting trees, grubbing stumps and examining ashes and the ground beneath them with the naked hand. A fire is not considered as being extinguished until the naked hand can play with it happily. Mopping up is hard, dreary work and often means many burns.
-cmpleted, There are cases on record where small fires in 1.ogs and rubbish 11:vc' been rak-A over and doused with water to the extent of twenty gallons of water per square yard and yet some hot ember has-been missed or thrown aside
-and has started up again the next day. If therefore the prcliminary work
+For mopping up you cannot have too much water, a thousand gallon tanker-waggon with powerful pump which will force the water into the tiniest cracks of logs or stumps is the thing, if you have one. If you haven't and in rough country, the humble knapsack water-container with Ladywood spray is worth its weight in gold. This has an adjustable nozzle like a hose and it is surprising how far five gallons of water will go when sent out through a fine nozzle. It has a fine mist spray which is used for damping down grass and a fine needle spray for cutting into ash bed and the insides of logs and stumps.
-of extinguishing the fire is not to go for nothing, a great deal of work must be done for a long time afterwords.
+Even though a fire may be thoroughly mopped up by careful and conscientious men there is still a good chance that it will break out again, and to prevent this or to control the new fire should it break out again, the trail must be patrolled for several days after the mopping up has been completed, There are cases on record where small fires in logs and rubbish have been raked over and doused with water to the extent of twenty gallons of water per square yard and yet some hot ember has been missed or thrown aside and has started up again the next day. If therefore the preliminary work of extinguishing the fire is not to go for nothing, a great deal of work must be done for a long time afterwords.
 yomTnT RE MONTHLY MEETING
 Notice is hPreby 7,-:.-?cn that the Monthly General Meetings will in future start at 745 etelJa the 2nnual General Meeting wal com:tence a 7.30p m.