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-Lifers?
+=====Lifers?=====
-A discussion on the question, "Should we have Life M.entership," by the bush(ed) philosophers,
-Socrates & Anopheles.
+A discussion on the question, "Should we have Life Membership," by the bush(ed) philosophers, Socrates & Anopheles.
-F:n,:,rates: Consider the Bushwalkers, 0 Anopheles, in form so like humans, to the common man mere persons, distinguished only by a propensity to seek out the rough and stony places shunned by men
-of reason. Yet withal, persons of infinite variety.
+__Socrates__: Consider the Bushwalkers, O Anopheles, in form so like humans, to the common man mere persons, distinguished only by a propensity to seek out the rough and stony places shunned by men of reason. Yet withal, persons of infinite variety.
-Anopheles: To me, they, all look passing similar, differing from
-the untutored savage Only in the possession of the latest accessories of light-wei-ght camping.
+__Anopheles__: To me, they all look passing similar, differing from the untutored savage only in the possession of the latest accessories of light-weight camping.
-Socrates: Indeed, no,'Anopheles. They may look similar as they
-- cower beneath their groundsheets when the enrits team about their heads; but their varieties are legion and distinct, and their social structure governed by rituals most complicated, as is shown in the Constitution, or Schedule of Rites. They are divided into the active, the not-so,active, the non-active, the financial, the unfinancial, the legally unfinandial (or Honorarj), not to mention the prospect, the-suspect, and the "annual" variety who, like a God, speaks but once a year---at the Ides of
+__Socrates__: Indeed, no, Anopheles. They may __look__ similar as they cower beneath their groundsheets when the elements team about their heads; but their varieties are legion and distinct, and their social structure governed by rituals most complicated, as is shown in the Constitution, or Schedule of Rites. They are divided into the active, the not-so-active, the non-active, the financial, the unfinancial, the legally unfinandial (or Honorary), not to mention the prospect, the suspect, and the "annual" variety who, like a God, speaks but once a year - at the Ides of March. Observe that these distinctions are based upon money, activity or loquacity. Honour, it would seem, has no place in their morality.
-March. Observe that these distinctions are based upoa money, acttvity or loquacity, Honourl it would seem, has no place in their morality.
-Anopheles: Why nould it? They do not walk for honour. Socrates: Quite so, Anopheles; but they do not only walk. And
+__Anopheles__: Why would it? They do not walk for honour.
-think that in their lives they are not without virtue; nor
-are they beyond. redemption,
+__Socrates__: Quite so, Anopheles; but they do not only walk. And I think that in their lives they are not without virtue; nor are they beyond redemption.
-AE22112122: That's what you think--er--I mean, thy analysis gay be
-correct.
+__Anopheles__: That's what you think - er - I mean, thy analysis may be correct.
-ocrates: Yes, if thou perusest'their Constitution thou shalt find TELC7Cause 5 subsection (f) thereof that their virtues, though not seven, are at least threefold. Which puts them three up on the barbarians. '
-Anal-eles: Of what three virtues dost thou speak?
+__Socrates__: Yes, if thou perusest their Constitution thou shalt find in Clause 5 subsection (f) thereof that their virtues, though not seven, are at least threefold. Which puts them three up on the barbarians.
-nbrates: It is written that those who aspire to be translated from suspect to the felicity of Membership shall have sociability, stamina and regard for the ClubTo qelfare.
-Anopheles: lierein I differ, These are not virtues, but rather
+__Anopheles__: Of what three virtues dost thou speak?
-conarFlons laid down for the exclusion of those who might prove disagreeable to members. Honour is based on different premises.
-S--ocrates. In part thou art right; they-may incaude sociability and
+__Socrates__: It is written that those who aspire to be translated from suspect to the felicity of Membership shall have sociability, stamina and regard for the Club's welfare.
-FTFEY;la for thip reason, But yet one virtue remains, so that they are only six-sevenths saVages.. Regard for the Club's welfare is surely a virtue?
-Anopheles: What, 0 poSer of,riddles, dioes regard for the Club's welfare mean? I have heardid thvt it means not making urReemly, notelsa in trains. '
+__Anopheles__: Herein I differ. These are not virtues, but rather conditions laid down for the exclusion of those who might prove disagreeable to members. Honour is based on different premises.
-,
-Socrates: TLly view is dim, 0 Anol,)heles. Does not regard for the
+__Socrates__: In part thou art right; they may include sociability and stamina for this reason. But yet one virtue remains, so that they are only six-sevenths savages. Regard for the Club's welfare is surely a virtue?
-Club's welfare mean doing the Club's work? And does not this
-work fall always on the shoulders of the willing few who give of their time and labour for the benefit of many?
+__Anopheles__: What, O poser of riddles, does regard for the Club's welfare mean? I have heard said that it means not making unseemly noises in trains.
-.112pheles: It would be virtue if it broUght no reward.
-SoorgTJET And does it bring reward? To me, there seems but Tittle
+__Socrates__: Thy view is dim, O Anopheles. Does not regard for the Club's welfare mean doing the Club's work? And does not this work fall always on the shoulders of the willing few who give of their time and labour for the benefit of many?
-recoMiaonse, and I feel that 'those who show outstanding zeal should
-be compensated therefor.
+__Anopheles__: It would be virtue if it brought no reward.
-Anopheles: It's rewards are many, 0 Soc. There is pleasure in cooperative effort and the good-fellowship that ensues, in the interest of the job---and most of the work is interesting--and,
-for those who like it, in the we of the Prospectives. Even the
+__Socrates__: And does it bring reward? To me, there seems but little recompense, and I feel that those who show outstanding zeal should be compensated therefor.
-Members sometimes respect the Committee.
-Socrates: These sentiments may move some to take office, but often the cares of their tasks outweight the pleasures you catalogue. Indeed there are many who continue only by reason of the. constancy of their natures, because tiey feel that work may be poorly done when they resign, and they continue long after
+__Anopheles__: It's rewards are many, O Soc. There is pleasure in cooperative effort and the good-fellowship that ensues, in the interest of the job - and most of the work is interesting - and, for those who like it, in the awe of the Prospectives. Even the Members sometimes respect the Committee.
-interest has waned. This labour goes unrewarded. Surely the
-work of these is worthy beyond the bounds. of thy definition?
+__Socrates__: These sentiments may move some to take office, but often the cares of their tasks outweight the pleasures you catalogue. Indeed there are many who continue only by reason of the constancy of their natures, because they feel that work may be poorly done when they resign, and they continue long after interest has waned. This labour goes unrewarded. Surely the work of these is worthy beyond the bounds of thy definition?
-Anopheles: There may be some who fit thy description, but, as
-Hartigan has said, is it really necessary? Is there any reason.
+__Anopheles__: There may be some who fit thy description, but, as Hartigan has said, is it really necessary? Is there any reason at all why, as a club of more than 300 members, there should not be enough hands readily to perform all the allotted tasks? Why should one, or a few, do so much that they are wearied by the task?
-at all why, asa club of more than 300 members, there should not be enough hands readily to perform all the allotted tasks? Why should one, or 'a few, do so much that they are wearied by the task?
-Socrates: My dear Anopheles,..shall we run our lives on pure
+__Socrates__: My dear Anopheles, shall we run our lives on pure necessities? Shall we divorce all sentiment, all show of gratitude? As for there being "enough hands", dost thou not remember how, quite often, when the President has asked for nominations for some position there has been silence; that when he went further, and asked for volunters, silence has again fallen, until at last some member from among the willing few has at last got up and volunteered to take on just another job that others were unwilling to do?
-necessities? Shall we divorce all sentiment, all show of gratitude? As for there being "enough hands", dost thou not remember how, quite often, when the President has asked for nominations for some 'position there has been silence. that When he went further,'and asked,for volunters,silence bas again fallen, until at last some. meffiberfrom among the willing few has at last got up and voldlateered to take on just another job that others were unwilli,Ag to do?,
-Anopheles: The truth of thy-observations is irrefutable. But
+__Anopheles__: The truth of thy observations is irrefutable. But it was not always so. Six years ago it was considered an honour to work on the Committee. The more onerous tasks were divided up so that the joys I have enumerated might be suffused among the many.
-it was not always so. ES5.x years ago it was considered an
-- honour to iork on the Oommittee. The more onerous tasks were
+__Socrates__: The prolific help of the past cannot run our club today.
-divided up so that the joys I have enumerated might be suffused
-among the many.
+__Anopheles__: All observation is of the past. If we do not learn from the past, let us quit philosophy at once.
-Socrates: The prolific help of the past cannot run our club
-Anopheles: All observation is of the past. If we do not learn
+__Socrates__: Last year is the past, and there were difficulties then.
-from the past, let us quit philosophy at once.
-Socrates: Last year is the past, and there were difficulties then,
+__Anopheles__: There have been and there will be difficulties, but they will become less now that people have more leisure.
-Anopheles: There have been' and ;there will be difficulties', but they will become less now that people have more leisure.
-Socrates: Presumably you infer that the war curtailed the time that could be devoted to walkingand its manifestations; then. how did our memb,arWo ip inraQ.943. during the. yoarc4 cyr -turmoil?
+__Socrates__: Presumably you infer that the war curtailed the time that could be devoted to walking and its manifestations; then how did our membership increase during the years of turmoil?
-noloheles: Membership may have grown,"but I entreat thee to recall \----TEE=E-Terhaps half the club was either at the war or labouring
-prodigiously,. The art of walking was almost forgotten.
+__Anopheles__: Membership may have grown, but I entreat thee to recall that perhaps half the club was either at the war or labouring prodigiously. The art of walking was almost forgotten.
-Socrates: One and a half time has the earth pursued its orbit since
-----277.-5-re-ascbnded from Barth, yet recently when a representive - was required for the Federation Reunion Committee, one was zhon whose shoulders were already bowed by two Herculean tasks. Surely some of the leisured could have carried the burden?
+__Socrates__: One and a half time has the earth pursued its orbit since Mars re-ascended from Earth, yet recently when a representive was required for the Federation Reunion Committee, one was chosen whose shoulders were already bowed by two Herculean tasks. Surely some of the leisured could have carried the burden?
-.4.422.a a,L._-es: One at least would have done so--one who had been away
-, at the war.
+__Anopheles__: One at least would have done so - one who had been away at the war.
-Socrates: That point is thino.=-shall wo say there will be
-sufficient for the labours. But thou has said that a was an
+__Socrates__: That point is thine - shall we say there will be sufficient for the labours. But thou has said that it was an "honour" to work on Committee; thou wilt concede that the "club's welfare" makes some inroads upon their leisure. Might not those who labour be rewarded by a manifestation of gratitude? Might not that gratitude be shown by conferring upon such people (the chosen few who have laboured most diligently), "Life Membership?" After all, it is a practice in most sporting and other societies to confer this token honour upon special people.
-"honour" to work on Committee; thou wilt:congede that the
-"club's welfare" makes some inroads upon their leisure. Might
+__Anopheles__: I recoil from the prospect! Consider the invidious task of the committee going through the membership list and distributing the halos - he is worthy - he is not. How on earth or in heaven could they draw the line between the worthy and the unworth1y? Consider, too, the feelings of those whose particular friends were turned down. And the feelings of those who were judged not quite worthy. At first it might be done on good faith. But such is the frailty of human purpose that soon the easy course would be taken - that of admitting all who were proposed, because none would incur disfavour by suggesting that so-and-so did not really do quite enough to be admitted to the band of the chosen. No, as I have said before, Bushwalkers join the club, not for honour, but for the non-competitive recreation of walking and the cheer of good company. What work they do brings its own reward. So long as they take an active part in the Club's affairs they have their reward.
-not those who labour be reWarded by a manifestation of gratitude? Might not that gratitude be shown by conferring upon such people (the chosen few who'have laboured most diligently), "Life
-Membership?" After all, it is a practice in most sporting and
+__Socrates__: "Such is the frailty of human purpose" - shall we not give thanks to those who are not frail? "Consider, too, the feelings of people whose friends" stand for the Presidency and are turned down; the feelings of those who stand for any of the seven major offices and are deamed not worthy. Life has its disappointments, my friend. And as to taking the "easy course," is Committee to be accused of "frailty of purpose?" We could prevent the admission of all who were proposed by conferring life-membership on, say, no more than three per year. Bushwalkers join "for the non-competitive recreation of walking" - and yet, "six years ago," there were often several canditates for a vacancy. Is this not competition?
-other societies to confer this token honbur upon special people.
-Ano4heles: I recoil from the prospect' 'Consider tho invidious
+__Anopheles__: It is if we place the committee in a class apart. But, fortunately for our very democratic club, this has never occurred. What respect the committee was accorded was based on popularity and efficiency as committee members. What else could a club worker want?
-task of the committee going through the membership list and
-distributing the halos.--he is worthy--he is not. How on earth
+__Socrates__: It is probably a great feature of those who do the most that they would ask the least by way of token reward. But I do feel that it would be a pleasant gesture if some people each year were accorded gratitude by election to life-membership. If we do not trust the Committee, than we could do it at the Annual General Meeting - which would give even the "annual" members a say!
-or in heaven could they draw the line ,between the worthy and the
-unworth1y7 Consider, too, the feelings of those whose
+__Anoloheles__: It would not work, as present members would not know many of the people who have done most for the club and therefore would not vote for them. Why Bushwalking should be regarded as a life interest I do not know. Normally, people join the club, walk for a few years, and then find other interests as they marry or grow older. This is as it should be. If they retain sufficient interest in the club, they will remain members or transfer to non-active membership. If they do not, they will remain good friends with their walking companions. Inevitably many life-members would never come near the club; why bother about them when they have lost interest?
-partLcular friends were turned down. And the feelings of those
-who were judged not quite worthy. At first it might be done
+__Socrates__: It would not work? It works with great accord elsewhere. The present members would not know who had done most? This is intended primarily for those who __are doing__ most at any time, and the members do know these. As to bushwalking not being a life interest - there are many perennials in our midst. Those to whom we would show gratitude would be of this last kind.
-In good faith. But such is the frailty of human purpose that soon the easy course would be taken-r-that of admitting all Ai() wore proposed, because none would incur disfavour by suggesting that so-and-so did not really do quite enough to be admitted to
-the band of the chosen. No, as I have said before, Bushwalkers
+__Anopheles__: No, my Socrates. I fear thy wisdom is no wisdom. As thou thyself hast said, those who do most ask little. Why should we embarrass them by a token gratitude? But let us not ramble in this wise for ever. Orion dips his sword at the ascension of the Scorpion, and it is time that thou and I were wrapt in slumber. Let us pursue this argument anon. Until then, goodnight.
-join the club, not for honour, but for the'non-competitive recreation of walking and the cheer of good company. What
-work they do brings its own reward. So long as they take an. active part in the Club's affairs they have their reward.
+__Socrates__: May thy shadow lengthen and thy tribe increase; may thy dreams be sweet and thy rewards for virtue manifold. Goodnight.
-Socrates: "Such is the frailty of human purpose"---shall we not
-give Slisnks to those whn are not frail? "Oonstder, too, the
+----
-feelings of people who friends" stand for the Presidency and are turned down; the teGlings of those who stand for any of the
-seven major offices and are deamed not worthy. Life has It
+=====Era Deserta.=====
-disappointrents, my friend. And as to taking the "easy course," is Committee to be accused of "frailty of purpose?" We could prevent the admission of all who were proposed by conferring
-life-membership on, say, no', more than three per year.
+By "K.M."
-Bushwalkers join "for the. non-competitive recreation of walkine-- and yet, "six years ago' there were often several canditates for a vacancy. Is this not ,competition? -
-A11219121es; It is if we place the commitae in a class apart. But,
+For a variety of reasons I was not at the clubrooms during the month or so before Christmas, and was therefore completely in the dark as to holiday plans. Several members, encountered in the wild lunch-hour shopping scramble, shook their heads when I asked: Are you going to Era?
-fortunately for our very democratic club, this has never ocourzad, What respect the committee was accoraaa was bad on i>orall,.,ritY
-and efficiency as ,coarmitt'eye memb-ears,, What .alae club.
-worker want?
-Socrates: It is probably a great feature of those who do the most
-that they would ask the least by way of token reward. But I do
-feel that it would be a pleasant gesture if some people each year
-were accorded gratitud e by election to life-membership. If we
-do not truat the Committee, than we could do it at the Annual Gneeral Meeting---whfch would give even the "annual" members a sayi
-Anoloheles: It would not work, as present members would not know
-many of the people who have done most for the club and therefore would not vote for them. Why Bushwalking should be regarded aS
-a life intore st I do not know. Nrgaallyv people n the altj
-walk for a few years, and then find oth.::r Intorosts as tn::y
-merry or grow 'older. This is as it should be. If they
-retain sufficiont interest in the club, they will remain members or transfer to non-active membership. If they do not, they will
-remain good friends with-their walking companions. Inevitably
-many life-members would never come near the club; why bother about them when they have lost-interest?
-Socrates: It would not work? It works with great accord elsovtore. The present members would not know who had done most? This is intended primarily for those who are doing most at any time, and
-the mmbers do know these. As to bushwatking not being a life
-interest,--there aro many perennials in our midst. Those to whom we would show gratitude would be of this last kind.
-Anopheles: No, my Socrates. I fear thy wisdom is no wisdom. As
-thou thyself hast said, those who do most ask little. Why should we emb*rrass them by a token gratitude? But lot us not
-ramble in this wise for ever Orion dips his sword at the ascension of the Scorpion, and it is time that thou'an4 I were
-wrapt in slumber. ' Let us pursue this argument anon Until
-then, goodnight,
-Socrates: May thy shadow lengthen and thy tribe increase; may
-thy
-drm ba neet and thy rewards for virtue manifold.
-Goodnight.
-ERA DESERTA.
-By /V
-For a variety of reasons I was not at the clubrooms during the month or so beforG Christmas, and was therefore completely in the dark as to holiday plans. Several members, encountered in the wild lunch-hour shopping scramble, shook their heads when I asked: Are you going to Era?
 "No" they said, "but there's sure to be a good crowd".
-"Yes, I suppose so" I answered, thinking of last year's tenamaxit conditions, when cooking arrangements were so neighb-o-uTly that a flipped egg or beans sautbs were ju st as iikA4ly to land_ ID someone else's frying pan as In on.GTa. own,.
-,
+"Yes, I suppose so" I answered, thinking of last year's tenement conditions, when cooking arrangements were so neighbourly that a flipped egg or beans sautes were just as iikely to land in someone else's frying pan as in one's own.
-_ .
-.'_, .,._) . .',...!; 7, -',., -.J -, 1.,1
- . , .,.
-- - t ') T
-Chr istmciS Eve Saw rne, f ed with, 'goo dw ill anct ra1lot', for- conviviality, 'alight at Viat rfa1,1 and soar; thQ platform- faces. Not an one. Not oven the- aarftal-like :outline- of the
+Christmas Eve saw me, filled with goodwill and a1l set for conviviality, alight at Waterfall and scan the platform for familiar faces. Not an one. Not even the camel-like outline of the genuine bushwalker. Travellers there were, laden with impossible looking burdens, but they were definitely not bushwalkers.
-genuine bushwalker. Travellers there- we,reL.,- laden with impossible
-looking jp.,4rde)as , but they, wore d,efiniteli y not buShwalko rs s'
+Feeling a little dashed I boarded the bus in company with these outsiders, and from the Lookout descended the track alone.
-I r
-Feeling a little dashed,I.13,9'8,t4S-P4 Incompant-withthoso
+Soon, I thought, I shall descry the bevy of tents upon the sward and ant-like figures engaged upon their lawful occasions. But the dress-circle was deserted; not a flicker of life up at Dead Horse; no cheerful smoke spiring on thie still evening air. Ah, at last - a gleam of white - there was a tent beneath the palms. Closer inspection discovered two youths in residence, and another tent, uninhabited, set snugly amongst the lillipillis. Its owners were returning the next night, the lads informed me.
-outsiderS, and froth; th'e' tookeut deS,cencled the traek.-alone... -
-, Soon, I thought, I shall descry the bevy of tents upon the sward and ant-like figUres engaged upon their lawful occasions. But the dress-circle was deserted; not a iflicker of life up at Dead Horse; rio cheerful smolce siii,r4P6 on thie still ,evening , air. Ali, at -last -
+This then was the sum total of the population: three, at Era, on Christmas Eve.
-a gleam Of white - there AR as a t_orit beneath the palms. -Closer
-inspection discovered two youths, ip residence, an another tent, uninhabited, 0 ont 'ahugly amongst the lillipillis. Its owners ,Ware
+Philosophically I made my way to my usual boudoir in the lantana thicket - designed originally, I understand by Dot Batler to accommodate herself and elder daughter. All was much as I had left it last January, but the scrub was fresher and greener than usual owing to the spring rains.
-returning thle'pext :night the lads ,informed,
-This then was the sup, tot4 oX.tpDcApui40ipx...v, thre eir-1,a;,t,', E. Christmas''Eve.
+Darkness descended before I had finished my evening meal, and as Christmas Carols were obviously not to be expected, there was nothing be do but go to bed. The mosquitoes indeed indulged in rather more carolling than I cared about; a patter of rain-drops and a few stirrings of the humbler creation amongst the fallen leaves broke the stillness from time to time, but the night passed peacefully enough.
-Philosophically I made my way to my ,usual boudoir in the lantana thicket - designed originally, I understand by -Dot Batler to - agcommod at ,.harself and., older --daught "NS- - - left it last January, but the scrub was fresher and greener than,usual owing to the spring rains.
-Darkness descended before I had finished my evening meal, and as Ohristm4s Carols were obviously not to be expected, there vva,s nothing be do but go to bed. The mosquitoes indeed_ indulged In rather more carDlling than I cared about; a patter of rain-drops and" a few
+Christmas morning dawned clear, and the cantata of bird notes began - butcher birds, clear and beautiful, the Peter! Peter! of Jacky Winters, chirpings of blue wrens, crack of whip-birds, and crows very high and desolate, voicing their gloomy view of the universe.
-stirrings -of the humbler creation amongst the fallen leaves broke the stillness from time, to time, but the night passed peacefully enpugh.
-Christmas morning dawned clear, -and tlike' cantata of bird notes began - butcher birds, clear and beautiful, Peter!, Peter; of Jacky
+I emerged from my lair pining to greet someone with "Merry Christmas!" but my two fellow-inhabitants were not yet abroad. I tried the conventional phrase on three rabbits nibbling the lawn near my front door, but they fled in alarm. I hailed a lizard as he darted out of the scrub, but one glance of his haughty eye told me that he was a gentleman of ancient lineage, owing fealty doubtless to that old serpent called Satan, but coldly indifferent to anything so new-fangled as Christmas festivals.
-Winters, chirpings of blu e' wrens,--, crack of whip-birds, and crows very high and desolate, vaioing their gloomy view of the universe.
-I emerged from my lair pining to greet someone with ',Merry ChristmasIbut my two fellow-inhabitants were not yet abroad. I tried the
+No it was not a convivial scene: in fact I never remember having such a quiet Christmas; but two incidents made my visit to Era worth while. The first happened while I was dressing.
-conventional phrase on three rabbits nibbling the lawn' near my front
-door-, but they fled in alarm. I -hailed a lizard as he darted out of
+I gazed idly at an object on the leafy floor of my bedroom and recognised it as a hen egg. Strange, I thought, I should not have imagined there were domestic fowls hereabouts. As the old brain emerged from its morning mists, it dawned on me that the egg was part of my luggage. I examined it and found that it was cracked but not lost. The paper wrapping of it had disappeared. Its fellows, in a tin placed in the fork of a tree, were intact, but a paper bag containing macaroni, a slab of cheese and a package of salt, had vanished holus bolus. Certainly I had heard various rustlings in the night but nothing to indicate such a large-scale robbery.
-the scrub-, but one glance' of his haughty eye told me that he was a gentleman of ancient' lineage,. living' fea lty doubtless to that old serpent called Satan, but coldly' indif"fer4nt to anything so new-
-fangled as Christmas festlivaId'.' 4'"
+I pictured rat pere lugging home his treasure-trove to the missus and kids, pointing out to them the succulence of the cheese and the excellence of the pasta - best quality, fatta all'uova. A Christmas dinner straight from heaven. I only regretted that he did not return the salt, as I felt sure it would be wasted.
-No it was not a convivial scene: in fact I never remember Jaavingsuch a quiet Christmas; but two incidents made' my visit to-Era worth while. The first happnod.
+The second incident was the thrilling vision of his grace the lyre bird, stepping delicately among the rocks as I went to fill my water-bag at the pool. He scratched unconcernedly for provender in the leafy mould, speaking an occasional word of cheer to his lady, similarly engaged at a little distance up the bank. For the first time in my life (and I am getting on now) I beheld this miracle of loveliness, with the famous tail streaming and gleaming in the morning light. Something unique in the way of Christmas presents, you will agree. Yes, decidedly this Christmas, 1946, was a memorable occasion.
+----
-I gazed idly at an object on the le:Ify floor of my bqdroom and recognised it as a hen egg. Strange, I thought, I should not have
-imagined there were domestic fowls hereabouts. As the old brain
-emerged from its morning mists, it dawned on hie that the egg was part
-of my luggage. I examined it and found that it was cracked but not
-lost. The paper wrapping of it ttad disappeared. Its fellows, in
-a tin placed in the fork of a tree, were intact, but a paper bag containing macaroni, a slab of cheese and a package of salt, had
-vanished holus bolus. Certainly I had heard various rustlings
-in the night but noshing to indicate such a large-scale robbery.
-I pictured rat pore 110.gging home his treasure-trove to the missus and kids, pointing out to them the succulence of the cheese and the excellence of the pasta - best quality, fatta all'uova. A
-Christmas dinner straight from heaven. I only regretted that he
-did not return the salt, as I felt sure it would be wasted.
-The second incident was the thrilling vision of his grace the lyre bird, stepping delicately among the rocks as I went to fill my water-bag at the pool. He scratched unconcernedly for provender in the leafy mould, speaking an occasional word of cheer to his lady, similarly engaged at a little distance up the bank.. For the first time in my life (and I am getting on now) I beheld this miracle of loveliness, with the famous tail streaming and gleaming. in the morning light. Something unique in the way of
-Christmas presents, you wi.4.1 agree. Yes, decidedly this Christmas,
-, was a momorable occasion.
 Bror Fox.
 (Extract from a letter by Mr. H. A. Lindsay, President of the Adelaide Bush Walkers.)