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+++ 194608 [2016/05/06 10:34] – tyreless
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 My vision blotted out, my dear!
-NEW CHUM by "Skip".
+----
-"So you're going to join the Bushwalkers?" quavered the old man to his
-great grand-niece and nephew.
+=====New Chum.=====
-'Tell, I remember the day, baclein the summer Of 145.- or let me see now, was it the winter of '46? No, now let me see
+by "Skip".
-*
+"So you're going to join the Bushwalkers?" quavered the old man to his great grand-niece and nephew.
+"Well, I remember the day, back in the summer of '45 - or let me see now, was it the winter of '46? No, now let me see...." . . . .
 And the gist of his story is in this wise.
-"Back in the winter of '46 I was a. prospective. I well remember that walk, as it was my first weekend walk'S.S.a new chum.
-"The train started from Central Station at 1425 p m on a Saturday afternoon, and at that time I was cursing to myself in a tram in Pitt Street, You may have seen pictUres of trams somewhere children,"
+"Back in the winter of '46 I was a. prospective. I well remember that walk, as it was my first weekend walk as a new chum.
-I missed that train by five minutes, and had to wait 55 minutes for
-the next. When it pulled in I grabbed a window seat and wondered what would eventually sit next to me.
-"It was a girl in slacks. Nothing to remark about these days, but
-conservative people like me used to label them as 'doubtful' then. No, it
-wasn't your great grand-aunt. Please don't' iterrupt,child.
-j
-So I Whiled away the three hours to,Blackheath dhatting with her and
-eating her Carbohydrates, Barley Sugar they 4al1ed it. At Blackheath I de-
-trained and hhStily entered the nearest: room, Which Contained a beautiful
-fire. There I put on all the spare clothing I could, for it was cold. It had snowed the night before.-
-"The station master directed me to the nearest estate agents, where I
-had a look at his maps. It'was six o'clock, pitch dark, -50 F. in the sun and my destination Blue Gum Forest, rGovettls 14t to my mind. But first.I thought I'd see all the taxi drivers because th6 agent said he remembered seeing a "mob of hikers" catching one.
-"The first place I went to owned a large luxurious Chrysler which didn't sound like the Bush walker to me. While I waited for the driver to return from a journey a massive female shrilled at mo from the cold outer world -
-'Ey, youl you one of them Sydney tikers?' "Not knowing any better I said "Yes", 50 she 'promptly pi-rated me from 'waiting post, and relieved me of 5/-
-for a trip to..the other side of the aerodrome.; She was a good _soul and told inc of the party's intentions, detailed the route io perry's, and told me a lot about her daughter.
-. -
-"It was pitch black when she dumped me, but half way to Perry's the moon rose. It was a clear night. The lights of Sydney glowed softly in the east, and the threatening clouds rolled away, No snow - I breathed a sigh of relief.
-"From the edge of the cliff just below Perry's I saw the lights of camp fires in the valley below. It didn't seem far away so I stayed there some little while yelling now' and again in the hope that some kind hearted walker,- Who'd finished his tea would take his constitutional and come up and lead me down. Ah, how blissful is ignorance., I arrived at Blue Gum two hours later,"
-"The party was rather surprised to see mo and kindly offered to help me cook my tea. To which I made reply 'Salt of the earth! Backbone of the nation 4 It's young men like you we need in the government running this country.V. They heard that a few times too during the walk.
-"Sleep wasn't at all pleasant. I tried a day previously to hire a sleeping bag. The result was a, foregone conclusion, I found two blankets to substitute whatsoever."
-As the morn awoke do' did some other. cold footed-walker. Caculatin glYi
-I lay abed until the,s-hrategic moment.4117en_the fire was at its peak and the cold footed one had deloarted to collect fuel. I then debeded.
+"The train started from Central Station at 1.25 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, and at that time I was cursing to myself in a tram in Pitt Street. You may have seen pictures of trams somewhere children."
-Later the sun made its appearance for about ten minutes. We saw it again 8 hours later. This brought to light t*o More males from our party, Another tent surrounded three ladies who were:forcibly-eject94 so that the tent might be rolled up when it started spitting, later.
-,
+I missed that train by five minutes, and had to wait 55 minutes for the next. When it pulled in I grabbed a window seat and wondered what would eventually sit next to me.
-Breakfast over, teVen af us, plui-seVen:others from three other parties set out in a slight drizzle with lunch time -objective something
-that bounds like.Bekchams. 'Falls.... I was'Tat#er,glad to get there.. The track, easy at first, foundA.t had no alternative but to take umpteen twistsf turns andUps and limns - mostly withst9Ps, which I abhor,- En route we temporarily mislaid the track once or twice and. 'startled quite a Te* lyrebirds. . .
+"It was a girl in slacks. Nothing to remark about these days, but conservative people like me used to label them as 'doubtful' then. No, it wasn't your great grand-aunt. Please don't iterrupt,child.
-Lunch at,the'falls waS-a cad affair.. The place was damp and sowas the weather. HoWever a cUP',Cif. brew =-,tea) my thildren warmed the troops.
-After lunch., more steps) and then_the spectacular scenery of the
+So I whiled away the three hours to Blackheath chatting with her and eating her carbohydrates. Barley Sugar they called it. At Blackheath I de-trained and hastily entered the nearest room, which contained a beautiful fire. There I put on all the spare clothing I could, for it was cold. It had snowed the night before.
-_ . .
-*rand Canyon,. and then more steps Up lieat olt Glen. At the top of this was the road to Blackheath. It took,quitetamitiie for the -party to collect there, only fOrIt-toloecoMe strung ant again on the road.
+"The station master directed me to the nearest estate agents, where I had a look at his maps. It was six o'clock, pitch dark, -50°F. in the sun and my destination Blue Gum Forest. 'Govett's' lept to my mind. But first I thought I'd see all the taxi drivers because the agent said he remembered seeing a "mob of hikers" catching one.
--
-With home in my noitrils, or rather the imaginary odours of a delightful Devonshire Tea at Blackheath that all the ladies extolled, I gave way to a little exhibitionism and spurted ahead, reaching Blackheath first with another. But such delights wore not yet to bo.
+"The first place I went to owned a large luxurious Chrysler which didn't sound like the Bush walkers to me. While I waited for the driver to return from a journey a massive female shrilled at me from the cold outer world -
-Follow the leader was the law then, Children, and so wetook: ourselves to the station, where we cleaned ourselves up. In the middle of this process
-.
+'Ey, you! you one of them Sydney 'ikers?' "Not knowing any better I said "Yes", so she promptly pirated me from waiting post, and relieved me of 5/- for a trip to the other side of the aerodrome. She was a good soul and told me of the party's intentions, detailed the route to Perry's, and told me a lot about her daughter.
-a city bound train drew in. A. wild scream Or two and the 'train 'drew out taking the 'ladies with it.
-"By procass,of elimination we. 'found the DevOnshiro.Tea place and proceeded to sample its!:wares..:Out, Of 'kindne:Ottp.:the reade,ts, children,
+"It was pitch black when she dumped me, but half way to Perry's the moon rose. It was a clear night. The lights of Sydney glowed softly in the east, and the threatening clouds rolled away. No snow - I breathed a sigh of relief.
-not describe it. TWo 16:t pcoillerSMadtheit aPP06-Xance-and,with:.
-. . .
+"From the edge of the cliff just below Perry's I saw the lights of camp fires in the valley below. It didn't seem far away so I stayed there some little while yelling now and again in the hope that some kind hearted walker, who'd finished his tea would take his constitutional and come up and lead me down. Ah, how blissful is ignorance. I arrived at Blue Gum two hours later,"
-a minuto to spare appeared. on the-p4tfOrM 'pith" a 'Sean. and'creaft or rather cream and scone in each hand and bulging, mouth,
-There is one thing, my children, that etill' is and will-eVer remain
+"The party was rather surprised to see me and kindly offered to help me cook my tea. To which I made reply 'Salt of the earth! Backbone of the nation! It's young men like you we need in the government running this country!" They heard that a few times too during the walk.
-a mystery to me. You remember I told you that on first arriving at Blackheath 25,antered a room wherein a fire was burning? Well when waiting for the train to take us back hom'e-1 sought th0 war th comfort of this same robm, I had to be forcibly restrained from" enteTing. Some one then diredted my attention to the notice above the door. It said, quite simply:
-"Ladies WAiting Room".
+"Sleep wasn't at all pleasant. I tried a day previously to hire a sleeping bag. The result was a foregone conclusion, I found two blankets to substitute whatsoever."
-"And the storal of this mory is" droned on the ancient voice of- great great Uncle who in his old age was occasionally inclined to split3- an infinitive and mix his metaphors ""never to have Devonshire Tea in 4apkheD6Ah-whilst ro/8 a fire in the ladies waiting mom,"
-Olm w am.
+As the morn awoke so did some other cold footed-walker. Caculatingly, I lay abed until the strategic moment when the fire was at its peak and the cold footed one had departed to collect fuel. I then debedded.
-SAY IT IN -.CHINESE.'
+Later the sun made its appearance for about ten minutes. We saw it again 8 hours later. This brought to light two more males from our party. Another tent surrounded three ladies who were forcibly ejected so that the tent might be rolled up when it started spitting, later.
+Breakfast over, seven af us, plus seven others from three other parties set out in a slight drizzle with lunch time objective something that bounds like Beacham's Falls. I was rather glad to get there. The track, easy at first, found it had no alternative but to take umpteen twists, turns and ups and downs - mostly with steps, which I abhor. En route we temporarily mislaid the track once or twice and startled quite a few lyrebirds.
+Lunch at the falls was a cold affair. The place was damp and so was the weather. However a cup of brew - tea, my children - warmed the troops.
+After lunch, more steps, and then the spectacular scenery of the Grand Canyon, and then more steps up Neate's Glen. At the top of this was the road to Blackheath. It took quite some time for the party to collect there, only for it to become strung out again on the road.
+With home in my nostrils, or rather the imaginary odours of a delightful Devonshire Tea at Blackheath that all the ladies extolled, I gave way to a little exhibitionism and spurted ahead, reaching Blackheath first with another. But such delights were not yet to be.
+Follow the leader was the law then, children, and so we took ourselves to the station, where we cleaned ourselves up. In the middle of this process a city bound train drew in. A wild scream or two and the train drew out, taking the ladies with it.
+"By process of elimination we found the Devonshire Tea place and proceeded to sample its wares. Out of kindness to the readers, children, I'll not describe it. Two latecomers made their appearance and with a minute to spare appeared on the platform with a scone and cream or rather cream and scone in each hand and bulging mouth.
+There is one thing, my children, that still is and will ever remain a mystery to me. You remember I told you that on first arriving at Blackheath I entered a room wherein a fire was burning? Well when waiting for the train to take us back home I sought the warm comfort of this same room, I had to be forcibly restrained from entering. Some one then diredted my attention to the notice above the door. It said, quite simply:
+"Ladies Waiting Room".
+----
+"And the storal of this mory is" droned on the ancient voice of great great Uncle who in his old age was occasionally inclined to split an infinitive and mix his metaphors "never to have Devonshire Tea in Blackheath whilst there's a fire in the ladies waiting room."
+----
+=====Say It In Chinese.=====
+Before Fraser Ratcliffe left on his gold hunting expedition twelve Bushwalkers and others foregathared one night at the Tai-ping Chinese Restaurant to say au-revoir. (With FOOD naturally).
+Staggering under the weight of various "extras" liquid and solid, we arrived and were ushered into our private Blue Room with mysterious Chinese symbols over the door, which the smiling waiter said meant "The room ofthe floating clouds."
+Phyllis Ratcliffe had brought flowers and a large white iced Xmas cake with Chinese letters etched on it in chocolate. She said she didn't know what they meant - they were copied from a Japanese card and might mean anything, but they looked artistic!!
+We asked our waiter to come to our rescue again and felt somewhat nervous as we awaited the verdict. Then, with an even broader smile he said it meant, "How do you call it - MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY". (Was this just another example of Oriental politeness, I wonder?).
+He wanted to know whose birthday, so we said it was Fraser's and were invited to come again next year, whereupon we made a pact that if our prospector makes his fortune he is to take us all; if he comes back "broke" well - we shall take him.
+After coping with ten sumptuous courses, the happy band took itself (Yes, it did too!) to the Helmrich mansion for SUPPER. (We only surmise why no details are given here - Ed.)
+=====Timber Shortage.=====
+====Homes or Railways or Primitive Areas?====
+by Arbores Australis.
+Do you realize that the importation of timber from America has been stopped, that importation from Canada will also stop because Canada will have a high-price market in
+America without black market dangers because price restrictions there have been lifted, and finally, do you realize that we have only three months' supply of imported timber in N.S.W.?
+On the top of this did you know that the Forestry Commission has undertaken to supply the N.S.W. Railways with sleeDers which will require 10% of the total hardwood production in N.S.W at the present time, plus another 10% which will be produced as offcuts from the sleepers, so that the existing production of timber will have to be increased by 20% to provide the sleepers, though it has to be admitted that this 10% of offcuts will be available for you and me who want to build homes.
+Only a small decimal percentage of all this timber will come from State Forests under proper management and fire-control where trees will be regrown as soon as they are cut.
+The other ninety-nine point something per cent will come from forests where the trees will not be regrown. It will come from:-
+(a) State Forests which are not under forestry management because for the last 30 years there have not been enough trained foresters to manage them.
+(b) Crown lands, which have not been set aside for any special purpose.
+(c) "Forest Reserves", which have been set aside for future consideration, and anyhow not to be alienated until despoiled of their timber. They just might ultimately be made into State Forests which just might ultimately come under forest management.
-Before Fraser Ratcliffe left On his gold hunting expedition twelve Bushwalkers and others foregathared one night at the Tai-ping-Chine8e, Restaurant to say au.-revoiri (With FOOD naturally).
-Staggering under the weight of yariouS "extras" liquid and solid, we arrived and were ushered into our private Blue Room with mysterious Chinese symbols over the door, which the sm4ing waiter said meant "'The
-r60111oft,Ilefloatillgcloudsil
-Phyllis Ratcliffe had brought-floWers and a large white iced Xmas cake
-,
-with Chine se letters etched on it in chocolate. She said'she'didn't know what tht14-, Pea,nt. - they were copied from a Japanese card and might 'mean anything, l'ut, _they looked artistic:I ... f
-f
-We asked gut, waiter to come to our rezcue again and felt somq*hat. nervous as we awaited the verdi:ct. Then, with an oven broader smile he said it meant', "How do you call it MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THY, DAY". (Was
-this just another example of Oriental politeness, I wondQr?).
--
-He wanted-to know whose_ birthdayi..so w_esaid it:WatraSer's and-were invited to come again nextyeart whereupon we made a-pACt..that-if our prospodtor makes his fortune he is to take us all;.if-he':-cOmeS back "brg4c" well--.-we Shall take hint -
-After copihgwith ten qmptuOus courses, the haPP7 loand: took itself (Yes, it did tool) to the Heinrich Mansion for SUPPERS only surmise
-_.why no details are givea here
-f
--
-TIMBER SHORTAGE
-HOMES or RAILWAYS: or' PRIMITIVE AREAS ?
-Arbores Australis,
-Do you realize that the importiltion of timber from America has been stopped, that importation from Canada will also'stop because Canada will have a high-price market in Ltherica without black market dangers because price- restrictions there have been lifted, ani finally, do you realize that we have only three months! supply of imported timber in N.S.W.?
-On the bp of this did you know that the Forestry Commission has undertaken to supply the N.S.W. Rail*ys with sleeDers which will require 10% of the total hardwood production in N.S,W at the present time, plus another 10% which will be produced as offcutsfrom the sleepers, so that the existing produltion of,timber will have to be increased by 20% to provide the sleepers, though it has to be admitted that this 10% of offcuts will be available for you and me. who want to build homes.
-Only a small decimal percentage of all this timber will come from State Forests under proper management and fire-control where trees will be regrown as soon, as they are cut.
-The other ninety-nine -point, something per cent will come from forests where the trees will not be regrown. I It will come from:-
-(a) State_Forests which are not under forestry management because for the last 30 years there have not been enough trained foresters to manage them.
-(b) Croin lands, which have not b en set aside for any special purpose.
-(c) "Forest Reserves", which have been set aside for future consideration, and anyhow not to be alienated unt4 despoiled of their timber. They just might ultimately be made into State Forests which just -might ultimately come under
-forest m-nagement.
--
 (d) Private lands which very often go over to bracken when the timber is taken and where re-forestation is almost unknown.
-(e) And lastly - if bushwalkers are not very vigilent frony our beloved and 'hardly-won reserves.
-Won you get out the plans and a specificatiOn of your new home, remember that you are contributing to the spoliation of the forests..But even if you patriotically decided to give u--) your new home idea and go on living with the in-laws, it would not help greatlyi because there are still those sleepers. You must also give up train-travelling to your favourito bush- walking haunts and persuade your friends to do the same.
-Obviously these remedies aro fantastic. But what other remedy is there? -
-The only sound solution is the long-range-one. More young men and women Must aspire to graduate in the science of forestry, and more money must be made available to pay their salaries afterwards and buy up suitable land, so that the forests now being depleted may be brought under forestry management and fire-control as son as these young people can write B.Sc.Dip.For. after their names. In the meantime the situation might be eased if young men (not
-women) who are not graduates decided to ta'ke..-1115-forestry. They could be got
-on to the job of re-forestation right awar.'.' -
-- -
-That is the position - very soon it will not be primitive areas we shall
-be worrying:about; it will be properly protected ,State Forests, because they 4 will be the only,areas on which a single decent. tree remains. And if now you hear of a stretch offorest that the Commission: wants, and which it will guarantee to Place under forest management, well, work your hardest to see it gets
-"F A C f by -"kip".
-Without worrying whether my last Contribution got pastthe ipensors or not, I'm embarking once again into pn egoieitical thesis on :a week end in the bush a la S.B.W. I'm in a creative mood, Paper in one hand, pen in the other - voila, I creates Ask what you will my pretty -sweetings, this is what you get, (Editor permitting)...,
+(e) And lastly - if bushwalkers are not very vigilent - from our beloved and hardly-won reserves.
-To make up for being an hour late on my previous trip, I was an hOur early.
-for this one. Having once more got a window seat an habitual ambition - I
+When you get out the plans and a specification of your new home, remember that you are contributing to the spoliation of the forests. But even if you patriotically decided to give up your new home idea and go on living with the in-laws, it would not help greatly, because there are still those sleepers. You must also give up train-travelling to your favourite bush-walking haunts and persuade your friends to do the same.
-just sat and waited. Edna Garrad appeared next and soon the carriage was full. (no slight upon Edna intcnded - Ed.) '
- I have little to say of the train trip. It was blissfully uneventful. The men of the party, or anyway, the ones that counted, did their duty bY' the Refreshment-Room at Penrith, two of thb ladies doing likewise. On t.ile other side of the partition, naturally.
+Obviously these remedies aro fantastic. But what other remedy is there?
-At Katoomba we found ourselves; tbirtec,..n strong I think '(Haziness waa
+The only sound solution is the long-range-one. More young men and women must aspire to graduate in the science of forestry, and more money must be made available to pay their salaries afterwards and buy up suitable land, so that the forests now being depleted may be brought under forestry management and fire-control as soon as these young people can write B.Sc.Dip.For. after their names. In the meantime the situation might be eased if young men (not women) who are not graduates decided to take up forestry. They could be got on to the job of re-forestation right away.
+That is the position - very soon it will not be primitive areas we shall be worrying about; it will be properly protected State Forests, because they will be the only areas on which a single decent tree remains. And if now you hear of a stretch of forest that the Commission wants, and which it will guarantee to place under forest management, well, work your hardest to see it gets it.
+----
+====="Faceo".=====
+by "Skip".
+Without worrying whether my last contribution got past the censors or not, I'm embarking once again into an egoistical thesis on a week end in the bush a la S.B.W. I'm in a creative mood. Paper in one hand, pen in the other - voila, I create! Ask what you will my pretty sweetings, this is what you get, (Editor permitting).
+To make up for being an hour late on my previous trip, I was an hour early for this one. Having once more got a window seat - an habitual ambition - I just sat and waited. Edna Garrad appeared next and soon the carriage was full. (no slight upon Edna intended - Ed.)
+I have little to say of the train trip. It was blissfully uneventful. The men of the party, or anyway, the ones that counted, did their duty by the Refreshment Room at Penrith, two of the ladies doing likewise. On the other side of the partition, naturally.
+At Katoomba we found ourselves, thirteen strong I think (Haziness was not the result of Penrith Plank) headed. for Diamond Falls. Narrow Neck Peninsula, bent. The local populace seemed to think hallbent. We set off at a goodly pace, and arrived at the beginnings of said Peninsula just at Sundown.
+Most people prefer a sunset of different hues, with delicately tinted clouds and all the trimmings. But that evening's sunset, the sunless western horizon a blue black silhouette of rounded mountains against a cloudless golden background arching above us and beyond us into the deep blue behind seemed far more beautiful to me than any of your pretty pretty ones.
+That cloudless sky gave promise of a fair morrow, but also of a frosty night. Now, I have no objections to a frosty night; but never again shall I sleep with my head outside the tent - not on purpose - when mother nature has given me due and fair warning. Oh by dose, oh boy!
+Breakfast over, we started out down the Neck. A beautiful day and no kidding. We even dumped our packs and walked most of the day without them.
+First leg of the trip was Coral Swamp. Where the creek leaves the neck, so did we.
+Well; we did at the second try. We were informed that we were treading the "Red Ledge Track" once used by miners who hacked the coal from the cliff side, and just to substantiate this claim, lo and behold we soon saw evidence of a well used track, much loose coal, and quitlj'a lot Of corrugated iron. I left my lump of coal behind, too. Alas.
+At this point we were on a ridge. An hour later we were still on it. We did at last reach Mitchell's Creek. No sooner did we than we were on another ridge, going up. At last we came back to the cliff face, proceeded to skirt same, scramble about same, and soon, O Joy, we lunched.
+For two hours the walk went on perfectly - on our backs. The sun was slowly descending and forced us to regain an upright position unfortunately. Being on a creek we followed same and by devious means - nails in trees etc., we gained the top of the Peninsula.
+Then back to base for our packs, Katoomba welcomed (?) us at sunset, so wo bid farewell to the beautiful Blue Mountains. Brrrrr! You Beaut!
+----
+Well, well! He's no longer President, but he still provides the walkers of the future! Yes, even as we danced at the Federation Social, Wal Roots became a daddy once again! Miriam delivered unto him a son.
+----
-not the result of Penrith Plank) headed. for Diamond Falls. Narrow Neck Peninsula, bent, The local populace seemed to think hallbent. We set off at
-a goodly pace, and arrived at the beginnings of said Peninsula jUst at Sundown.
-Most people prefer a sunset ciS *different hues, with delicrItcly tinted clouds and all the trimmings. But that evening's sunset, the sunless western
-horizon a blue black silhouette of rounded mountains against a cloudless golden.
-background arching above us and beyond us into the deep blue behind seemod'far more beautiful to me than any Of your pretty pretty ones.
-That'61oudlessdv gave Promise of a fair morrow, but also of a frosty night, Now, I have no objections to a frosty night; but never again shall I sleep. with my head outside the tent -.not en pUriliose - when mother nature has given me due and fair warning. Oh by dose; oh boyl
-Breakfast over, we started out down the Neck. A beautiful day and no kidding. We even dumped our packs and walked, most of the day without them.
-'First leg of the trip was Coral Qwamp. Where the creek leaves the neck,
-so did we, ,
- '
-W.011, We did at the-Second'trY. We Were informed that we were treading the "Red 'Lease Track" once used byminers'Who liacked thecOal,from the cliff side, and just to substantiate this claim, lo and behold we soon saw evidence of a- well used track, much loose coal, and quitlj'a lot Of corrugatediron.... I left,
-,...=li
-my lump of coal behind,-toO. Alas.
-At this point we were on a ridge. An hour later we were still Du it. We did at last reach Mitchell's Creek. No sooner did we than we were ,611 t another ridge, going up. At last we came back to the cliff face, proceed-o4 to skirt same, scramble about same, and soon, 0 Joy, we lunchd.
-For two hours the walk went on perfectly - on our backs. The sun was -. slowly descending and forced us to regain an upright position unfortunatelyBeing on a creek we'followed same and by devious means - nails in trees etc., we gained the top of the Peninsula.
-Then beck to base for our packs, Katoomba welcomed (?) us at sunset, so wo bid farewell to the beautiful Blue Mountains Brrrrr: You Beaut4
-Nell, well!' Hs no longer President, but he-still provides the walkers of the'futurel Yost even as we danced atthe Federation Social; Wal Ro6ts' became a daddy onco again: Miriam delivered' unto him a son.
- : '
- a 0.4 WWI.
 By special arrangement with the National Art Gallery, we print a famous painting of the Official Party arriving at Cowan for the Official Walk on a recent Saturday arvo:
-r77,N,
-WOT1. NO LEADER!?
+__Wot - No Leader?__
-SNEAKERS.
-Those of you who walk in shoos may be interested to know
+----
-, LEATHER- SANDSHOES. crepe_rubber soles, size 8-84.. If you would like- to. Purchase same, ring iNfiliss Joyce Fisher, WL1837 -first come, first' served.
-WALKS PROGRAMICIE
+====Sneakers.====
+Those of you who walk in shoes may be interested to know...
+__Leather sandshoes__ - crepe rubber soles, size 8 - 8 1/2. If you would like to purchase same, ring Miss Joyce Fisher, WL1837 - first come, first served.
+----
+====Walks Programme.====
 Colin Lloyd advises as follows:-
-Peg Bransden's Glenbrook - The Oaks walk on August 31st -Sept. 1
-a is via 12.25 train not 1.25:
-Ray Birt's Wild-flowers walk, on September -7-8: Watch notice' board for details. . -
-"NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN"
-By PROLIX
-(with apologies to Moussorgsky)
-Central Station, 1,30 Saturday, gloomy, cold and with fine rain drizzling down, found my gogd,friend Antilix and self making a last minute decision. "Galong Creek should look good after this rain", and sundry other such urging remarks won the day and two tickets were purchased for Katoomba.
-Penrith slid by, and still m iserable outside. Nepean River presented a frightening spectacle of angry swirling _waters yellowWith its unnatural load of man-wasted soil ad debris 4. tearing at the banks in its fury to reach the sea and leaving a deep fringe of sand high on the banks. Glenbrook
-Creek had suffered-seVerely from the recentrains and was scarred by land-
-slides and strewn with rocks and bouldersi many tons of which it had disgorgei into the Nepean effectively distorting its flow and eating into the apposite bank. Never had we seen it so high.
-We spoke as two minute voiccd in the 'wilderness aS_we'compared the
-present devastation with what might have been h8:d:'-aur forefathers shownthe
-foresight which is now all too necesSary:if40=arettei'"stop the rot".
-The slow upward grind eventually found us -at Katoomba still drizzling in late afternoon though it might have been morning, or any other time, with the,samenpss'of the dull light filtering through the mist-from all sides.
-Warmed up by hot coffee and toast we headed for Devil's Hole, amid the same conditions and with the light fast fading. Our idea of Galong Creek gradually receded from our minds1 but we,were in high spiruts (oddly enough) and determined to enjoy the fun,. cOme what may,
-The turn-off negotiated, We conteffiplated a camp site. Nothing but soggy wei ground, small pools of Water linked with thin streamlets and all vegetdion both dead and alive simply dripping with water - not very inviting at dusk or any hour.' Our search was finally rewarded by a nice, just tent- sized, patch of green springy plant life which grows close to the ground, and on this limited area we erected our shelter - to wit one Willesden.-
-Still shielded by ground sheets from the wet trees etc., the rain having temporarily veased, we hunted for fuel. This required an almost individual selection of tinder from the sodaen. mass. Under a dome of groundsheets and us, a small fire was coaxed tO sufficient proportions in three quarters of an hour to justify our boiling the billy. Quite a good hot dinner followed, thanks to said fire which behaved wonderfully, and so to bed as the rain came on again.
-;- Believe it or not we were very comfortable, warm and dry thanks to
-that little patch of greenery - under 'which we could bear'the water trickling as with heads to the ground We drifted to sleep. Outailde was quietness, as only the bush can be at night, broken by the monotonous and rather sleepy sound of a myriad drops of water as they foil from leaf to "earth again and again as the misty rain fed the leaves.
-Late 'nextmorning, Keening Zero" and no rain.; we tuned back to . Katoomba Station where we joyfully notod,a..train due at-two orclocki but
-.
-on closer scrutiny found two followea by a m. too bad.
-We lunched in the waiting room with the aid of the N.S.R:R.-doal and fireplace, and decided to beat the next train to Blackheath where it was due in two hours. The- afternoon' had cleared somewhat and in bracing coolness we stopped it out along the main road hobnails tearing and skidding.
-The distance was covered in one and three quarter hours not bad we think so we returned to the _metropolis fc41ing 'strangely contented with our night out above Devil's -AolG.
-Iiiierealt WOMBAT' s drticlet -onough- to ru-I:n any man s hopes of finding gold? Oh, no! -JOHN BATTYE^ is hot on the scent. John has zone west, to join FRASER liATCLIFF, in. the-. search for the 'treasured metal.
-GOld.:Mines goqP.'-to bb an 'Sale to -bUshwalkers at
-'bargain. prices*.
-)@T@P.,@@,E.,,t3@&60@geAC
-YOJR OPTOMIi1TPIST
-. F.:GOODMAN, M...1. 0. -
-Olotometrit'an d. Optician 20 Hunter Street, Sydney.
-aacY a 4/ Of Os
-.@
-@
-'Phone B3438.
-- .
-Modern methods Of Eye Examination" and Eye Training Careful Spectacle Fitting.
+Peg Bransden's Glenbrook - The Oaks walk on August 31st - Sept. 1 is via __12.25 train__ not 1.25.
-. .
-Fixing an appointment yillfacilitate the reservation of time for giving you proper attention., but should you be unable to ring us beforehand, your visit will be welcome at any time you may choose to
+Ray Birt's Wild-flowers walk, on September 7-8: Watch notice board for details.
-'
-a(... a@c-1(cc__(""iCasLag
+----
-;071'
-,.
+=====Night On Bald Mountain.=====
+By Prolix (with apologies to Moussorgsky)
+Central Station, 1.30 p.m. Saturday, gloomy, cold and with fine rain drizzling down, found my good friend Antilix and self making a last minute decision. "Galong Creek should look good after this rain", and sundry other such urging remarks won the day and two tickets were purchased for Katoomba.
+Penrith slid by, and still miserable outside. Nepean River presented a frightening spectacle of angry swirling waters - yellow with its unnatural load of man-wasted soil and debris - tearing at the banks in its fury to reach the sea and leaving a deep fringe of sand high on the banks. Glenbrook Creek had suffered severely from the recent rains and was scarred by landslides and strewn with rocks and boulders, many tons of which it had disgorged into the Nepean effectively distorting its flow and eating into the opposite bank. Never had we seen it so high.
+We spoke as two minute voices in the wilderness as we compared the present devastation with what might have been had our forefathers shown the foresight which is now all too necessary if we are to "stop the rot".
+The slow upward grind eventually found us at Katoomba - still drizzling in late afternoon though it might have been morning, or any other time, with the sameness of the dull light filtering through the mist from all sides.
+Warmed up by hot coffee and toast we headed for Devil's Hole, amid the same conditions and with the light fast fading. Our idea of Galong Creek gradually receded from our minds, but we were in high spirits (oddly enough) and determined to enjoy the fun, come what may.
+The turn-off negotiated, we contemplated a camp site. Nothing but soggy wet ground, small pools of water linked with thin streamlets and all vegettion both dead and alive simply dripping with water - not very inviting at dusk or any hour. Our search was finally rewarded by a nice, just tent-sized, patch of green springy plant life which grows close to the ground, and on this limited area we erected our shelter - to wit one Willesden.
+Still shielded by ground sheets from the wet trees etc., the rain having temporarily ceased, we hunted for fuel. This required an almost individual selection of tinder from the sodden mass. Under a dome of groundsheets and us, a small fire was coaxed to sufficient proportions in three quarters of an hour to justify our boiling the billy. Quite a good hot dinner followed, thanks to said fire which behaved wonderfully, and so to bed as the rain came on again.
+Believe it or not we were very comfortable, warm and dry thanks to that little patch of greenery - under which we could hear the water trickling as with heads to the ground we drifted to sleep. Outside was quietness, as only the bush can be at night, broken by the monotonous and rather sleepy sound of a myriad drops of water as they fell from leaf to earth again and again as the misty rain fed the leaves.
+Late next morning, "ceiling Zero" and no rain, we turned back to Katoomba Station where we joyfully noted a train due at two o'clock; but on closer scrutiny found two followed by a.m. - too bad.
+We lunched in the waiting room with the aid of the N.S.W.R. coal and fireplace, and decided to beat the next train to Blackheath where it was due in two hours. The afternoon had cleared somewhat and in bracing coolness we stepped it out along the main road - hobnails tearing and skidding.
+The distance was covered in one and three quarter hours - not bad we think - so we returned to the metropolis feeling strangely contented with our night out above Devil's Hole.
+----
+Weren't __Wombat's__ articlues enough to ruin any man's hopes of finding gold? Oh, no! __John Battye__ is hot on the scent. John has gone west, to join __Fraser Ratcliff__ in the search for the treasured metal. Gold mines soon to be on sale to bushwalkers at bargain prices.
+----
 PUN-ITIVE INTERLUDE
 (By Ug