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+===== First Perambulator To Kanangra Tops. =====
+=== January-February, 1931 - Part II. (Conclusion) ===
+Next day was misty and cool and raining off and on. With our small but efficient camp fire and snug quarters we enjoyed it. It was a great environment for the little bloke and a certain amount of wild life filled his day with interest, and we had time to tell him about it. Old Mr. Cunnynghame left his little hut and its column of blue-white wood smoke and came along for a lengthy yarn. He did not know what to think about the pram; he was staggered; it was too much for him, but he appreciated company. He must lead a very lonely existence on this roof of the mountains. Mr. Don Wallace and two mates drifted along, bound on their first adventure into these big hills. They allowed themselves to be persuaded about certain things along the Kanangra-Gingra route by a sticky-beaking old timer (not Cunnynghame), and the day closed with a rabbit shoot, some pleasant discussion and a camp in common. The old timer learned something about packs and packing. As for our venture, we had covered what I considered the most difficult part of the way and success appeared possible.
+Next day we pushed off for Boyd Creek, 7 miles away. The first 2 miles were difficult and had to be taken slowly. At the head of Little Morong Creek I got mater from the secret spring and we had lunch at the side of the road. After lunch we hit the granite and some more teeth-rattling going for awhile, then the downhill section to the Boyd was comparatively easy. Arrived in good time and fixed a comfortable camp. The creek was not running; there was plenty of water in the rock holes but it had dried up several inches so far. By this time we realized our pram was a wonderful vehicle indeed. An ordialary pram would have fallen to bits long before this. The advantages of the solid iron frame were now obvious. The two-way spring system as fitted to ordinary prams would have thrown boy and load out on many an occasion or upset the pram. Nothing had gone wrong except that 3 tyres were worn - torn is a better word. The fourth tyre was not natural; nothing had happened to it. The little 10 inch wheels were miracles of strength. Plenty of oil in the bearings eased the pushing business and prevented undue wear on the hubs. So far so good. Under her load Marg. was toughening up quite well and was enjoying the venture. As for myself I had developed quite a decent rearward action about the legs. Without the pram I was inclined to scratch gravel too heartily and fall on my nose. The 4 pound boots with their ground-gripping hobnails were right good friends. Although nearly new, the middles of the heavy soles (they were American Army boots) were beginning to wear away. These boots were extraordinary articles; no other boots would have stood up to the work so well.
+Next day we set off on the last stage and managed well until near Rocky Top where the pram. had to be hauled up the rough ascent to it, while Milo walked (I forgot to state we planted some reserve tucker in a cache cairn of stones near the Boyd Crossing. This eased the general load somewhat). Lunched on top in the sun because the pleasant day was cool at this altitude of 4160 ft. The descent of the Kanangra Pass onward was a "touch and go" bit of business. I felt sure it would be the graveyard of the little bus. For a short distance Milo walked but the large, loose stones were too rough for the little chap so we put Marg's swag in the pram, whilst she carried him. The whole downhill stretch of nearly a mile and a half was done by walking backwards whilst pulling and easing the wheels between and over the rocks. I never realised just how rough the track is until I found myself on this stunt. It was a wonder that the thing with its 120 pounds on four narrow, little wheels did not fall to pieces when being hauled and thumped over the gibbers of this rare track. I began to respect that pram, and its makers also for they certainly knew their onions when they designed it. I had an idea that the next and final stretch to Kanangra would be easy, as certainly it is when walking with a pack but it wasn't. Whilst two wheels ran easily along one of the ruts the other two were forced to bump over grass tree roots, grass clumps, stones and sticks. Really it was a very rough passage. The pram. was no place for the boy; his brains would have been churned up, so Marg's swag and he changed places. At length Inglis's mud house came into view and the big prospect south lifted into sight. Time 2.30 p.m. We were there - and there stood the perambulator at Kanangra. Having to cut down weight I had no camera so the memorable event was not recorded pictorially. Pity, because it was a rare sight. Since the pram. had proved itself so indestructible I felt no compunction in proceeding to heave it along the track behind the mud house to our camp spot near the creek. The rocks stopped us for awhile but finally it was done. We realized that it could never be wheeled back to Rocky Top; it would have to be carried there. Really I felt like leaving it there by the camp for good.
+We spent four happy days at Kanangra exploring the various plateaux: Mounts Seymour, Maxwell and Brennan to the east; Mounts Pindari, Bungin and the Wallaby Pass on the way to Mount Colboyd; also we went west over Kittani to Mount Ianthe and had a swim in one of the pools of the Thurat Rivulet just above the great Kanangra Falls.
+At 10 past 5 one afternoon I left Marg. and Milo at the camp and set off for Rocky Top with the packed pram (62 lbs) on my back. It was a back-bruising and difficult load which I could neither rest under nor slip off, because had I done so I could not have hoisted it again. Arrived at Rocky Top I thought I had better take it on to Boyd Crossing, so continued. Some men who were rounding up and half-hoppling a number of horses asked me to wait awhile, so for 10 minutes I stood under the stress then moved on after them. At the Boyd I placed the pram. at the camp spot then shot back to Kanangra at a great pace and reached camp and tea at 10 past 8, having done the job in 3 hours.
+Next day we walked out with our normal loads (2 swags this time), Milo walking and being carried by turns, and camped the whole afternoon on the Boyd. The waterholes were noticeably lower. Next day we reached Cunnynghame's and spent the following day there. Three very sick-looking tyres were wired to the wheels at 2 inch intervals, but the fourth tyre was still going strong, being only a little worn. Next day the 9 miles journey back to our camp near the Ginkin turnoff on the Oberon Road was hard work, even with the lessened load and cool weather. At camp, first thing Junior did was pile wood on the fireplace, even to pulling up the fireplace crotches and adding them to the pile. It was lucky I made a practice of using very thick and short, square topped tent pegs in case he ever fell upon one for this evening he ran towards me, tripped on a small clump of snow grass and fell fair on the big end peg. It struck his mouth and luckily his teeth were shut together so that the blow was spread over them. His underlip was split and at first we thought he was badly damaged, but fortunately it was not nearly as had as it appeared.
+The following day we scooted down the long hill to Edith, 8 miles from Oberon, and camped by the roadside. The miraculously good tyre fell off as we mounted the bank to the site. We reckoned there was no point in finishing the Oberon stretch with its to uphill lengths of loose metal, so 'phoned for a car to pick us up next day. Four events happened this night and just how far they were connected with each other it is impossible to say. About 8.30, I think it was, a magnificent meteor fell about west of us. I was outside and saw it plainly and I never saw a better one. It fell very low down to the horizon and if it hit the ground there was no apparent report. Now for the next. About an hour and a half or two hours later there occurred a single and peculiarly sharp detonation, obviously at a distance but very loud. It had a kind of rocketting quality as if the hills obstructed some of the sound waves. I remarked to Marg. that it was a great explosion and that something remarkable had happened and also that it could hardly be connected with the meteor because of the long interval between. So much for what we saw and heard. Next day when we returned to Sydney we discovered that the initial fall of the great Dog Face Rock avalanche at Katoomba happened this same night, at 9.30 I believe. Several days later I learned that a marked earth shake had occurred over a limited area of swampy country (I think it was) somewhere south or Bathurst!! The name of the district was given me but I have forgotten it. Now, what do you make of that?
+Anyway, we established the fact that the type of strong "hamper-pram" such as ours and fitted much the same way is quite the thing for ordinary roads, but the thicker kind of tyres would be better, no doubt. The Kanangra road is too rough for any perambulator and we advise other couples with a bairn not to attempt this back-breaking enterprise but to cut down weight as much as possible and walk there, no matter how slowly. Legs are better than wheels on such a track. Still, young Milo Kanangra reached the place he was named after (maybe the first kiddie to get there) and my pal Margaret enjoyed her first visit to the magnificent scenery which cannot possibly be seen in a stay of less than three days; a week is not too long. I lost a lot of weight because of the dinkum hard work. No doubt ours is the first perambulator to be shoved to Kanangra, but I think it will be the last until a better road is made - and I hope that never happens anyway. Next time we walk.
+Myles J. Dunphy. Perambulatourist (for once).
+----
+=== Paddy Made. ===
+__Who's planning a trip.__
+__Someone__ is you can be certain.
-FIRST PERUBULATOR TO KOANGRA TOPS. January-February, 193T- Part II. (Conclusion)
-Next day was misty and cOol and raining off and on.- With our small but efficient camp fire and snug quarters we enjoyed it It was a great environment for the little bloke and a certain amount of mild life filled
-his day with interest, and we had time to tell him about it. Old Mr. Cuntrnghame left his little hut and its column of blue-white wood smoke and came along for a lengthy yarn. He did not know that to think about the pram; he was staggered; it was too much for him, but he appreciated comany. He must lead a very lonely existence on this roof of the mountains. Mr. Don, Wallace and two mates drifted along, bound on their first adventure into these big hills. They allowed themselves to be persuaded about certain things along the Kanangra-Gingra route by a sticky-beaking old timer (not Cunnynghame), and the day closed with a rabbit shoot, some pleasant discussion and a camp in common. The old timer learned something about packs and packing. As for our venture, we had covered what I considered the most difficult part of the may and success appeared possible.
-Next day we pushed off for Boyd Creek, 7 miles away, The first 2 miles were difficult and had to be taken slowly. At the head of Little Morong-Creek I got mater from the secret spring and we had lunch at the side of the road.' After lunch we hit the granite and some more teeth-rattling going for awhile, then the downhill section to the Boyd was comparatively easy. Arrived in good time and fixed a comfortable camp. The creek was not running; there was plenty of mater in the rock holes but it had dried up several inches so far. By this time'we realized our pram was a wonderful vehicle indeed. Anordialary-pram. would have fallen to bits long before this. The advantages of the solid iron frame were now obvious. The two-way spring syttem as fitted to ordinary prams. would have'throvn boy-and-load out on many an occasion or upset-the-pram. Nothing had gone wrong except that 3 tyres were worn - torn is a better word. The fourth tyre was not natural; nothing had happened to it. The little 10 inch wheels were miracles of strength. Plenty of oil in the bearings eased the pushing business and prevented undue wear on the hubs.. So far so good. Under
-her load Marg. was toughening up quite well and was enjoying the venture. As
-for myself I had developed quite a decent rearward action about the legs. Without
-the prat. I was inclined to scratch gravel too heartily and fall'on my nose. The L. pound boots with their ground-gripping hobnails were right good friends. Although nearly new, the middles of the heavy soles (they were American Army
-boots) were beginning to wear away. These' boots were extraordinary articles.; no other boots mould have stood up to the work so well,
-- Next day we set off on the last stage and managed well until near Rockir
-Top Where the pram. had to be hauled up the rough ascent to it, while Milo walked (I forgot to state we planted somii-reserv6 tucker in a cache cairn of stones near the Boyd Crossing.- This eased the general load somewhat). Lunched on top in the sun because the pleasant day was pool at this altitude of 11160 ft. The descent of the Kanangra Pass onward was a "touch and go" bit of business. I felt sure it mould be the graveyard of the little bus. For a short distance Milo walked but the large, loose stones were too rough for the little chap so
-we put Mares swag in the pram, whilst she carried him. The whole downhill
-. ,,-,,--",74'-v"-rs" N.cirwroisorowtom-,,44.1004wAvey,4, ,,,,,,,, ,!,,,,.., , ,  ,
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-WA 4:O.'''.
-WHO'S PLANNING A TRIP.
-Someone is you can be certain.
 Perhaps to New Zealand on an Alpine Glacier Trip
 or
 Tasmania to any of the spectacular places there
 or
 Driving to Perth for the Games
-or Doing a Kowmung trip
 or
+Doing a Kowmung trip
+or
 Loafing down at Burning Palms.
-Nherever you are going we have some gear to trip easier and more of a pleasure -
-Crampons for Glacier
+Wherever you are going we have some gear to make your trip easier and more of a pleasure -
-Sou-Wester tents for tough Tassie Jerry Cans (for water)
-Air beds
+  * Crampons for Glacier
-Karkampa tents
+  * Sou-Wester tents for tough Tassie trips
-Gas Cooking Stoves for Perth or otherwise bound motorists
+  * Jerry Cans (for water)
-Pack:linings for Kowmung trips or all the accessories for loafing at the Palms.
+  * Air beds
-make your
+  * Karkampa tents
-trips
+  * Gas Cooking Stoves for Perth or otherwise bound motorists
-WHATEVER YOU ARE PLANNING, PLAN A TRIP TO PADDY 'b
+  * Pack linings for Kowmung trips or all the accessories for loafing at the Palms.
-!A *D\' P
-Lightweight Camp Gear
+Whatever you are planning, plan a trip to Paddy's first.
-o1 CASTLEREAGH Si SYDNEY
-B M 2, 68=5
+Paddy Pallin Pty Ltd. Lightweight Camp Gear
-. The Sydney Bushwalker November 1962
-stretch of nearly a mile and a half was done by walking backwards whilst pulling and easing the wheels between and over the rocks. I never realised just how rough the track is until I found myself on this stunt, It was a wonder that the thing with its 120 pounds on four narrow z little wheels did not fall to pieces when being hauled and thumped over the gibbers of this rare track, I began to respect that pram, and its makers also for they certainly knew their onions when they designed it. I had an idea that the next and final stretch to Kanangra would be easy5 as certainly it is when walking with a pa ck but it wasn6t Yhilst two wheels ran easily along one of the ruts the other two were forced-to bump over grass tree roots, grass clumps, stones and stickS. Really it was a very rough passage. The pram. was no place for the boy his brains would have been churned up, so Marg's swag and he changed places, At length Irglis's mud house came into view and the big prospect south lifted into sight. Time 2.30 p,m. We were there - and there stood the perambulator at Kanangra. Having to cut down weight I had no camera so the memorable event was not recorded pictorially. Pity,
+Castlereach St., Sydney. BM2685.
-because it was a rare sight. Since the pram, had proved itself so indestructible
-I felt no compunction in proceeding to heave it along thu track behind the mud house to our camp spot near the creek. The rocks stopped us for awhile but
+----
-finally it was done, We realized that it could never be wheeled back to Rocky Top; it would have to be carried there. Really I felt like leaving it there
-by the camp for good.
-We spent four happy days at Kanangra exploring the various plateaux:
+=== S.B.W. Xmas Dance. ===
-Mounts Seymou, Maxwell and Brennan to the east; Mounts Pindari, Bungin and the Wallaby Pass on the way to Mount Colboyd; also we went west over Kittani to
-Mount Ianthe and had a swim in one of the DoOls of the Thurat Rivulet just above the great Kanangra Fallsa
+Come dressed as an historical figure!!!! (If you can't do this, at least come dressed).
-At 10 past 5 one afternoon I left Marg0 and Milo at the camp and set off for Rocky Top with the packed pram (62 lbs) on my back, It was a back-bruising and difficult load Which I could neither rest under nor slip off, because had I done so I could not have hoisted-it again. Arrived at Rocky Top I thought
-I had better take it on to Boyd Crossing? so continued. Some men who were rounding up and half-hoppltng a nuMber of horses asked me to -wait awhile, go
+__Place__ - North Sydney Town Hall.
-for 10 minutes I stood under the stl'ess then moved on after them. At the Boyd I placed the pram0 at the camp spot then shot back to Kanangra at a great pace and reached camp and tea at 10 past 8: having done the job in 3 hours.
-Next day we walked out with our normal loads (2 swags this time), Milo
+__Time__ - Who cares?
-walking and being carried by turns, and camped the whole afternoon oh the Boyd. The waterholes-were noticeably lower. Next day we reached Cunnynghame's and spent the following day there, Three very sick-looking tyres were mired to the wheels at 2 inch intervals, but the fourth tyre was still going strong, being only a little morn, Next day the 9 miles journey back to our camp near the Ginkin turnoff on the Oberon Road was hard work, even with the lessened load and cool weather, At camp, first thing Junior did was pile -wood on the fireplace,
-even to pulling up the fireplace crotches and adding them to the pile, It was lucky I made a practice of using very thick and short, square topped tent pegs
+__Date__ - 22nd December onwards. (A Saturday, we think).
-in case he ever fell upon one for this evening he ran towards me, tripped on
-a small clump of snow grass and fell fair on the-big end peg. It struck his mouth and luckily his teeth were shut together so that the blow was spread over
+__Cost__ - A mystery. (though well worth it).
-them. His underlip was split and at first we thought he was badly damaged, but fortunately it was not nearly as had as it appeared.
-November 1962 The Sydney Bushwaflcer 13.
+----
-The following day we deooted down the long hill to Edith, 8 mile from Oberon, and camped by the roadside. The miraculously good tyre fell off as we mounted the bank to the site. We reckoned there was no point in finishing the Oberon stretch with its to uphill lengths of loose metal, so 'phoned for a car to pick:us up next day. Four events happened this night and just how far they were connected with each other it is impossible to say. About 8.30,
-/ I think it was, a magnificent meteor fell about west of us. I was outside and saw it plainly and I never saw a better one. It fell very low down to the horizon and if it hit the ground there was no apparent report. Now for the next. About an hour and a half or tmo hours later there occurred a single and
+===== Meet Mrs McComish. =====
-\/ peculiarly sharp detonation7 obviously at a distance but very loud* It had a kind of rocketting quality as if the hills obstructed some of the sound maves, I remarked-to Marg. that it was a great explosion and that something remarkable had happened and also that it coUld hardly be commected with the meteor because of the long interval between, So much for what we saw and heard. Next day when te returned to Sydney *e discovered that the initial fall of the great Dog Face Rock avalanche at Katoomba happened this same night, at 9.30 I believ e.
-/ Several days later I learned that a marked earth shake had occurred over a limited area of swampy country (I think it was) somewhere south or Bathurst!! The name Of the district was given me but I have forgotten it. Now, what do you make of that?
+When the small apparently frail lady rose and moved across to the table covered with shells, paper clippings and island bric-a-brac, I thought to myself "This will be dull!" I lit my pipe and settled back to pass the time as comfortably as possible.
-Anyway, we established the fact that the type of strong "hamper-prae'such
-as ours and fitted much the same way is qdit the thing for ordinary roads, but the thicker kind of tyres would be better; no doubt. The Kanangra road i6 too rough for any perambulator and we advise other couples with a bairn not to attempt this back-breaking enterprise but to cut down weight as much as possible and walk:there, no matter how slowly. Legs are better than wheels on such a track. Still, young Milo Ehnangra reached the place he was named after (maybe the first kiddie to get' there) and my pal Margaret enjoyed her first visit to the magnificent scenery Which cannot possibly be seen in a stay of less than three days; a Week is not tiio long. I lost a lot of *eight because of the dinkum hard work. No doubt ours is the first peraMbulator to be shoved to Ehnangra, but I think it will be the last until a better road is ,made - and I hope that never happens anyway. Next time we walk.
+Two minutes later, I was sitting forward, pipe out and I stayed that way for seventy minutes; Mrs. McComish's vitality and zest for life belied her admitted three score years and ten - a v. and z.f.l. which infected everyone present.
-MYLES J. DUNPHY Perambulatourist (for once).
- S.B.W. XMAS DANCE.
+She told us how her interest in nature began as a girl of five, when she kept bugs in boxes under her bed much to her Mother's horror. As she grew, this interest began to centre on the Pacific Isles and to see these became something of an obsession with her, later to dominate her life.
-Come dressed as an historical figure!!!! (If you can't do this, at
-least come dressed).: Place - North Sydney Town Hall.
+She married in England, but lost her husband soon after in the Great War. Her two brothers having emigrated - one to Australia, one to New Zealand - she set to work to persuade her parents to follow. Those of us who met her and came under the spell of Mrs McComish's vocal ability, would agree her parents had little chance once she'd made up her mind! So the family settled in Cairns. Not good enough! Once more she started to drip away on the parental rock - this time to visit the smaller islands - in a lugger. (She has a healthy loathing of tourist liners). Admitting to having nearly driven her parents to drink in the process, she finally got her way, but only on the condition she found a suitable travelling companion, female. Off she took herself to the shipping agency where she began to drip on the manager - regularly - every morning.
-Time -5 Who cares?
-Date - 22nd December onwards. (A Saturday, we think). Cost - A nqystery. (though well worth it).
+All she wanted was a travelling companion - now that shouldn't be difficult. Only qualification required - female, not to mind travelling in luggers or dugouts, living with natives, sleeping on the ground, travelling light, swimming creeks, collecting bugs... there should be plenty of them.
-The Sydney Bushwalker November 1962
-MEET MRS.  MeCONISH
+Eventually, her persistence wore down the opposition and she was off to her South Sea Islands, and there she has spent the rest of her life, marrying a second time to an historian and botanist (not bigamy - just one man) whose interests and outlook on life were identical with her own.
-When the small apparently frail lady rose and moved across to the
-table covered with shells, paper clippings and island bric-a-brac, I
+Over the years Mrs McComish has visited most of the Pacific Islands, learning about their people, studying the natural life and in particular, painting the indigenous flowers. We had the opportunity of inspecting one of her fourteen volumes of hand paintings of these flowers, and they were really magnificent. It is of great satisfaction to nature lovers therefore to know that these fourteen volumes comprising thousands of paintings and pressed flowers will eventually become the property of the Mitchell Library.
-thought to myself "This will be dull:" I lit my pipe and settled back to pass the time as comfortably as possible.
-Two minutes later, I was sitting forward, pipe out and I stayed
+We were given a glitpse of life on Thursday Island (because of the large numbers of empty bottles around, Mrs. M. preferred to think of it as Thirsty Island). Thursday Island is the centre of an active pearling industry, and, true to form, Mrs. M. must know all the intimate details, so she shipped out on a pearling lugger to find out - the hard may. The toughest part was the all pervading stench. The natives open the shell fish, hang the meat in the rigging, and leave the shells on the deck. The sun-dried meat forms part of the natives' diet, but a rather high-powered diet to the uninitiated. Despite this she found out all about pearling with the help of handfuls of sea-sickness tablets.
-that way for seventy minutes; Mrs. McComish's Vitality and zest for life belied her admitted three score years and ten - a v. and z f.l, which infected everyone present.
-She told us how her interest in nature began as a girl of five, when
+On Thursday Island, Mrs. M. first met the whispering natives from Saibai. They literally never talk about a whsiper. The reason for this was found to be the water on Saibai which damages the vocal chords. (Visitors now take their own water). It is not difficult to conjure up some uses for the waters of Saibai.
-she kept bugs in boxes under her bed much to her Mother's horror. As she grew, this interest began to centre on the Pacific Isles and to see these became
-something of an obsession with her, later to dominate her life.
+Near Thursday Island lies Hammond Is. which is owned by the Catholic Church and used as a training school for natives. On Hammond Island there is a unique church, built by native labour for a total cost of £80. Mrs. M. found the priest on Thursday Island only too happy to show her over the island with its school and church. The church walls were made of hand-packed local rock. To make the windows, circular concrete frames of about three feet diameter were cast, and these were then filled with beer bottles (empty) laid on their sides, bottoms inwards. Mrs. M. (although a t.t.) described the effect inside as inspiring.
-. She married in England, but lost her husband soon after in the Great War. Her two brothers having emigrated - one to Australia, one to New Zealand - she set to work to persuade her parents to follow. Those of us who met her and came under the spell of Mrs McComish's vocal ability, would agree her parents had little chance once she'd made up her mind: So the family settled
-in Cairns. Not good enough: Once more she started to drip away on the parental rock - this time to visit the smaller islands - in a lugger. (She has a healthy loathing of tourist liners). Admitting to having nearly driven her parents to drink in the process, she finally got her way, but only on the condition she found a suitable travelling companion, female. Off she took
+With the sun shining on them, the windows cast a golden amber light in wonderful patterns of circles in circles. The ever-present island breezes blowing across the open necks of the bottles produces inside a constant symphonic background of a thousand blending notes.
-herself to the shipping agency where she began tcr drip on the manager - regularly - every morning.
-All she wanted was a travelling companion - now that shn'aldn't be difficult. Only qualification required - female, not to mind travelling in luggers or dugouts, living with natives, sleeping on the ground, travelling light, swimming creeks, collecting bugs ... there should be plenty of them.
+An inspection of the school activities further amazed Mrs M. Here the native Children were being taught Western Cultures and were learning them with enthusiasm and spectacular results. On a beat-up old piano, bare wood keys and all, Mrs. M. heard a recital from a 12 year old native girl that would have done credit to any conservatorium student.
-Evehtually- her persistence wore down the opposition and she was off to her South Sea Islands, and there she has spent the rest of her life, marrying
-a second time to an'hitorian and botanist (not bigamy - just one man) whose interests and outlook on life were identical with her own.
+Mrs M. was prevailed upon to entertain the children in return which she did by demonstrating the Maori haka. She had her audience gripped until she came to a part where you lean forward and poke out your tongue. When Mrs. M. performed this feat, not only her tongue came out but her top plate as well! The nuns were aghast, the native children terrified, the priest helpless with 1aughter. Mrs M. later taught these children the haka, and as you may guess, when they came to this crucial part, they all poked out their tongues and frantically tried to pull out their top teeth! She is now as famous on Hammond Is. as a certain shooner captain who once visited the island. He had a detachable wooden leg.
-Over the years la-s McComish has visited most of the Pacific Islands, learning about their people, studying the natural life and in particular,
-painting the indigenous flowers. We had the opportunity of inspecting one of
-her fourteen volumes of hand paintings of these flowers, and they were really magnificent. It is of great satisfaction to nature lovers therefore to know that these fourteen volumes comprising thousands of paintings and pressed
-flowers will eventually become the property of the Mitchell Library.
-November 1962 The Sydney Bushwalker 15.
-. We were given a glitpse of life on Thursday Island (because of the large numbers of empty bottles around, Mrs. M. preferred to think of it
- as 'Thirsty Island). Thursday Island is the centre of an active pearling
- industry, and, true to. form, Mrs. 14:: must know all the intimate details, so she shipped out on a pearling lugger to find out - the hard may. The trughest part was the all pervading stench. The natives open the shell fish, hang the meat in the rigging, and leave the shells on the deck. The sun-dried meat forms part of the natives' 'diet, but a rather high-powered diet to the uninitiated. Despite this she found out all about pearling -with the help of handfuls of sea-sickness tablets.
-On Thursday Island, Iffrs. M. first met the whispering natives from Saibai. They literally never talk about a mhsiper. The reason for this was found to be the water on Saibai which damages the vocal,chords. (Visitors now take their own water). It is not difficult to. conjure up some irses for the waters of
-Saibai.
-_
-. Near Thursday Island lies Hammond Is. which is owned b:y,the.Catholic Church and used as a' training school for natives.  On Hammond Island thiare is a unique church, built by native labour' for a tqtal cost of Z80. Mrs. M. found the priest on Thursday Island only too happy to show her over, the island with its school' and church. The church walls were made of hand-packed local rock'. make the windows, circular concrete frames of about three feet diameter were cast, and thes were then filled with beer bottles (empty) laid on their sides, bottoms inwards. Mrs. M. (although a t..b.) described the effect inside as inspiring.
-With the sun shining on them, the windows cast a golden amber light in wonderful patterns of circles in circles. The ever-present island breezes blowing across the open necks of 'the bottles produces inside a constant symphonic background of a thousand blending notes,
-An inspectiOn'Of the school activities further amazed Mrs M. Here the native Children were being taught Western Cultures and 'were learning them with enthusiasm and spectacular results'. , On a beat-up old. piano., bare wood keys and all, ill's. M. heard' a, recital' from a 12 year old native girl that would have done credit to  any cohservatorium student.
-Mrs M. was prevailed upon to entertain the children in return which she
-did by demonStrating the Maori haka. She had her audience gripped until she came to a part where you lean forward and poke out your tongue. When Mrs. N: performed this feat, not" onlyher tongue came out- but her top plate as well: The nuns., were aghast, the native children terrified; the priest helpless with 1aughte. Mrs M. later taught these children the haka, and as you may guess, when they,i came to this crucial part, they all poked out their tongues and frantically tried to pull out their top teeth: She is now as famous on Hammond Is. as a certain shooner captaih who once visited the island. He had a detachable wooden leg.
-The Sydney Bushwalker November 1962.
 Mrs. McComish has seen her Pacific Islands, including the Australian continent from end to end - not superficially as a tourist, but intimately as a friend of the inhabitants and a scientist interested in everything that lived and breathed around her.
- When Jack Gentle passed a vote of thanks to Mrs M., he said that this was. the most entertaining talk the club, had had the pleasure of hearing for some time. (He was obviously excluding some of our more vocal members at General Meetings). For once Jaek had everyone present right with him.
+When Jack Gentle passed a vote of thanks to Mrs M., he said that this was the most entertaining talk the club had had the pleasure of hearing for some time. (He was obviously excluding some of our more vocal members at General Meetings). For once Jaek had everyone present right with him.
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 REPORT ON FEDERATION MEETING HELD 18.9.62.
 Business ArisinglIaLlanutes,. The vacancy for an auditor will be left open until the member clubs have had time to deliberate on the matter.