A Monthly Bulletin devoted to matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, 5 Hamilton Street, Sydney

Another successful year has ended; another Christmas has added its quota of memories to our store; and here we all are, setting out along the unknown track of the New Year. May it lead us all to many pleasant camping spots! And may some, at least, of your New Year Resolutions be kept – we are looking forward to receiving those accounts of your trips you have resolved to write!

Did you read “The Sydney Bushwalker” for November? When we read tho account of Charles Darwin's trip over the Blue Mountains which we published in that number, we said, “Ha! An explanation of the strange Bottle-neck Gorges which intrigued that eminent scientist would probably make an interesting technical article for our December issue! So we cornered the Club's far-from-tame geologist - up in the winds of Tamworth, where she was doing a spot of bratwhacking - and explained our needs.

The throes of examinations, and other tortures, delayed her simple explanation of the topography of the Blue Mountains, so December went to press without it, but now you can all learn something Charles Darwin did not know. We hope you will be interested, and that you will all respond just as promptly and cheerfully whenever we call upon you for articles.

The above title was invented as a trap to ensure the unwary and fool-minded bushwalker; actually the title suggested to me was “The Bottle-Necked Gorges of the Blue Mountains”, or words to that effect. Says I to meself, why not go the whole hog and get something really high-sounding along the lines of “The Geological Structure of the Werrie Basin; Note on the implications of the irregular strike lines of the Mooki Thrust System” – but relented; so here goes.

The observant have probably noted (and pointed out to their nonobservant and politely uninterested friends) that our mountain rivers behave in the usual topsy-turvy Australian fashion and reverse the way of life of respectably brought up rivers. A normal stream starts off in its headwater, or youthful, tract with a narrow, steep-sided valley; travels through a much wider, more open valley in its middle tract; and finally dithers and meanders across a plain till it reaches the sea.

Now consider the Cox-Wollendilly-Warragamba System; certainly the headwaters of most of the tributaries rise in rugged enough country; but then the Cox-Wollondilly proceeds to flow through the comparatively open Burragorang Valley, with its level valley floor; after which, instead of settling down to a placid old age, it becomes the Warragamba and roars Debertishly through the steep, narrow gorge until it emerges from the mountains on to the plain again.

The explanation of this odd behaviour is that the rivers were there before the mountains; they were wandering across a plain very near sea-level when earth- movements caused the eastern portion to sink (some of it below the sea), but raised the western section to about 3,500 ft. The chief bending of the rocks took place along a line through Glenbrook-Kurrajong, called the “Blue Mountain Monocline”. As the land rose, the rivers became more rapid and cut nearly vertical gorges through it, keeping pace with the uplift. As the land was raised to a greater height in the west than in the east, the rivers, in the western part of their courses, were able to chop rapidly through the top layer of sandstone, and reach the softer shales underneath. The latter form much more gentle slopes, and are readily eroded, so that the more open valleys such as the Burragorang wore formed.

In the eastern part, along the Blue Mountain Monocline, the sandstone layer was much thicker and extended well below sea-level. It is therefore in this area that the rivers have cut, and are still cutting, those deep trenches into the massive, rectangular-jointed sandstone, which we term “Bottle-Neck Gorges”.

O Beauty, lot me know again
The green earth cold, the April rains the quiet waters fiuring sky,
The one- star risen.

So shall I pass into the feast
Not touched by Kings Merchant, or priest;
Know the red spirit of the beast,
Be the green grain;
Escape from prison

John Masefield.

In the absence of the President through illness, Mr. J. Debert presided at the December Meeting, and welcomed as New Members MaX O'Halloren, Dorothy Langworthy, and Sheilah Porter. He also announced that the Committee had re-elected the following Honorary Members:- Mr. & Mrs. Docksey, Messrs. D.G. Stoad, R.F. Bennett, and L. Plimmer.

Mr. Arthur Salmon volunteered and was duly elected Room Steward for the ensuing month.

A letter was received from Mr.J. Sharpo announcing that he has opened “Bran Jan” as a guest house. Letters of congratulation on the 1938 Concert were received from the River Canoe Club and the Coast & Mountain Walkers. The Treasurer's Report showed that the profit from the Concert was £6.16.8.

It was rosolved to move the box Surf Line back from Burning Palms to North Era, but to have the line tested first.

Mr. W. Knight reported a fall of rocks onto Lilyvale Station platform at the end of November, and asked that a letter be written to draw attention to the danger of further falls.

Under the amended Constitution, the S.B.W. is entitlod to 4 delegates to the Federation, so Miss Dorothy Lawry and Mr. Ira Butler wore elected. Also the power to appoint substitute delegates was exercised, and two were elected - Messrs. Brian Harvey and L.G. (Mouldy) Harrison.

By Dorothy Lawry.

Different climatic conditions make big differences in “bush” and bushcraft, and in the characters of clubs and their members. Often we growl and fail to realise that the conditions of our enjoyment are so easy that some folk might say, “You don't know you are alive.” This article is offered to show the reaction to their environment of some of our overseas “cobbers”.

The climate of N.S.W. has led to the growth of fairly open bush, through which one can walk quite easily, and the comparative warmth of even winter nights makes camping an all the year habit of bushwalkers. The effect of these easy conditions on our characters was again demonstrated recently. Chas. Rolfe called for volunteers for a working-bee to divert a short section of track down part of Heathcote Creek. On the day arranged, one helper turned up!! It has been claimed that the S.B.W. is a walking club; it is certainly not a working club!

By contrast, here are some extracts dealing with the activities of some of our American friends. There the climate is much more extreme, shelters have to be used instead of tents, and trails have to be cut through the thick growth of the forests, and kept open. Working bees are a recognised form of recreation in the U.S.A., as well as in New Zealand.

Here is an extract from a publication of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Washington, D.C., which is dated February 1936.

“The Appalachian Trail is a wilderness foot trail. It is a footway, as distinguished from a motorway. Its route is, in the main, along the crest of ridges of the mountain system generally known as the Appalachians, extending through fourteen eastern states from Katahdin in the central Maine wilderness to Mount Oglethorpe in northern Georgia.

“Originally estimated as a 1,200-mile trail, its construction and measurement have shown the route to be some 2,050 miles in length. At the present time - 14 years after the completion of its first section - the project has been completed with the exception of two sections, approximately 20 miles each, in the Maine wilderness…….

“The Appalachian Trail project is in every sense a mammoth amateur recreational project, almost entirely the result of voluntary efforts of outdoor organizations and interested individuals. As a route for foot travel only, it is the longest marked path in the world.

“Undoubtedly the stimulus which carried the Appalachian Trail project so close to completion within the short span of only ten years' labor has been a reawakening of the dormant pioneer spirit. A driving force has been the inspiration drawn from the very nature of the project - the urge for a trail of such magnitude that for the purpose of the ordinary traveller it should be without end. Of almost equal importance has been the lure of exploration far from the more frequented regions - particularly into the little-known and seldom-visited southern Appalachians. Benton MacKay, the originator of the Trail project, has written of its purpose thus:

'The old pioneer opened through a forest a path for the spread of civilization. His work was nobly done and the life of the town and city is in consequence well upon the map throughout the country. Now comes the great task of holding this life in check - for it is just as bad to have too much urbanization as too little. America needs her forests and her wild open spaces quite as much as her cities and her settled places.'”

The Trail is then described in detail, section by section, but only one paragraph need be quoted here..

“The Trail in general parallels the Skyline Drive but in most places, because of the rough terrain and thick forest growth, it is inadvisable to take a short cut from Trail to highway or vice versa. Short cuts should not be taken unless the tramper is absolutely sure of the direction; a supposed short cut may be a very long one and lead to serious difficulties.”

From an article by Leverett G. Richards in “Travel” of July, 1937, we learn that the western States are constructing much longer trail “along the backbone of North America, among the crags of the Pacific Coast ranges of Washington, Oregon and California from Canada to Mexico.”

The article continues:

“Here, beyond sound of machines, beyond sight and scent of civilization where only the groaning of glaciers, the song of the wind in the trees and the minor melodies of brooks can be heard, here Nature lovers can find perpetual sanctuary. For the trail, almost throughout its length, is forever preserved from the contaminations of civilization. Only 260 miles lie outside the protecting embrace of national forests or national parks, and of these 150 are guarded by the forbidding sands of the Mojave desert.

“While the trail system, now officially designated as the Pacific Crest Trail System, included more than 4,000 miles of high mountain and remote wilderness trails, the shortest possible route from Canada to Mexico by the trunk trail itself is about 2,300 miles. Mileages in both cases cannot be exactly computed, because alternate trails are available along the route, especially in Washington, where the trail is not yet finally located through some of the wilder areas.

“Once the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Florida along the broad back of the Atlantic ranges held the title of the world's longest trail. The shortest route along this trail is officially fixed at about 2,000 miles, side trips and alternate trails running the maximum length to about 3,200 miles, which makes it shorter by several hundred miles than the strenuous Pacific Crest Trail System.

“The Pacific Crest Trail was conceived in the mind of Clinton C. Clarke of Pasadena, California, some five years ago. Clarke, at 63 still one of Nature's ardent admirers, had studied the trail systems of England, Germany and Soviet Russia where hundreds of thousands spend their summers and their week-ends knap-sacking along safe but secluded routes. Returning to the United States he read that the Appalachian Trail along the Atlantic Coast had been built by volunteer trail clubs with the extensive aid of Forect and Park Service and the useful Civilian Conservation Corps.

“If the East had spirit enough to conceive and achieve such a trail, why shouldn't the West achieve a tougher trail along the impassable and largely unexplored crest of the Pacific Coast ranges?

“Clarke broached the idea to the National Forest Service and the National Park Service and got quick co-operation. The Forest and Park Service began surveys and within two years had fairly complete maps shoving existing trails which could be connected to for one continuous trail, with some minor and a few major gaps.

“With the aid of the COC most of those gaps have been closed. The trail is now completed from Mexico through California and Oregon to the Columbia river, graded, signed and safe for experienced and hardy hikers.”

“Washington, mighty mother of mountains, remains the missing link in this international trail of adventure. Trails of a sort exist from the Columbia river in Washington north to Mt. Adams (12,307 ft.).

“North of Mt. Adams the grim phalanx of the almost unknown Goat Rock range lies like a jagged hurdle across the path of the trail…..

“Once safely across the glacial passes of the Goat Rocks the trail drops to easier altitudes to meander to Stevens Pass, about 300 miles from the Columbia, through a forest where Alpine firs grow in cathedral clumps like Druids bowed in prayer, where elk are seen in every aisle and fish in a thousand lakes are hungry enough to bite anything, if it's only a worm.

“As the trail approaches the Canadian borders however, it gets lost in a lonely land that lies smothered in a shroud of snow and ice eight, nine or ten months of the year. Here, up where clouds are born, a chaos of crags and glacier-jewelled peaks rear their fangs in fantastic array like the very teeth of Hell. Through these crazy crags no trail yet wends its way except by long and arduous detours. No trail, in fact, can ever be built along the actual crest of the Cascades through these mad mountains……….

“Alternate routes around this mountain country, however, have been located and can be followed by an explorer with the aid of a map, a compass, courage and plenty of experience. The same is true of much of the high country of the Sierra Trail in central California,”

Perhaps the foregoing extracts may make the most superior amongst us realise that our achievements are insignificant compared with what the American members of the bushwalking fraternity have accomplished by hard work - and the willing help of Government Services. Let us deserve similar co-operation from our own Government Services!

Yet, Freedom! yet thy banner, torn but flying,
Streams like the thunderstorm against the wind;
Thy trumpet voice, though broken low and dying,
The loudest still the tempest leaves behind;
The tree hath lost its blossoms, and the rind,
Chopp'd by the axe, looks rough and little worth,
But the sap lasts, and still the seed we find
Sown deep, even in the bosom of the North;
So shall a better spring less bitter fruit bring forth.

Lord Byron.

No wonder the Federation Council Meetings go on and on and on. Here are some of the things that were dealt with on November 25th.

A PUBLICITY BUREAU having been decided upon, and nominations received, the following were elected:-

Mr. George Loder (convenor), Miss Dorothy Lawry, and Mr. Frank Duncan.

Information was received from The National Park Trust that it was making a BOX SURF LINE available AT MARLEY BEACh, and that any Honorary Rangers appointed for the Park would have to undertake night duty.

A reply was received from the Secretary for Railways stating that the Federation's request for a WARNING NOTICE at LILYVALE STATION could not be complied with.

The resignations of Messrs. G.K. Phillips and R. Savage from the CONSERVATION BUREAU were received. Mr. R. Mitchell was appointed Secretary of the Bureau, and consideration was given to the important question of reconstituting the Bureau to increase its effectiveness.

An interim report regarding “THE BUSH WALKER, NO.2” showed Revenue £54.18.7, Expenses £46,7.7, and surplus £8.11.0, with sales still going on.

A report was received from the SEARCH & RESCUE SECTION, and Messrs, Rory Lofts, Wilbur Morris, And George Batty were co-opted to the Section.

The CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT moved by the S.B.W, was considered and - after amendment to exclude Honorary Members from the computation of club membership - was adopted. As a result, the basis of representation on the Federation Council is now —

New delegates will be present to the first time at the January meeting as, owing to the Christmas Holidays, there is no meeting in December.

At the January Mooting a further amendment to the Constitution will be moved and considered :-

“by omitting Clause 9, and by inserting in lieu thereof the following clause – '9. Banking Accounts.

'All moneys of the Federation shall be paid to the credit of such accounts in the name of the Federation as the Council shall determine, and such accounts shall be operated on in the manner directed by the Council,'”

The present provision of the Constitution is for one banking account only, and the proposed amendment is put forward to enable the Council to have others.

by Paddy.

It's a queer world. The enjoyment we get out of anything seems to depend on how much we put into it. The nights of planning, spent before a long trip, are well repaid by the extra enjoyment obtained.

The motorist who glides without effort to the top of some mountain doesn't get the same thrill from the view as we who have scrambled breathlessly up the steep mountainside. The chap who has to sacrifice a night out at a dance or a picture show to save his fare, enjoys his trip much more than the fellow with “oodles” of cash who doesn't need to economise.

Put in before you can take out seems to be the rule. It is certainly true of walking.

Our many photographers get a reward out of all proportion to their efforts. It seems a pity, however, that so many of the other possibilities of walking are neglected. For a fraction of the effort and at no cost at all (compared with the admittedly heavy cost of photography) walkers could acquire a good knowledge of one of the many branches of bush knowledge. How many of us know birds, beyond crows and kookaburras and half a dozen others? Yet we all must see and hear dozens of varieties on every walk - or we would if we only sat down and kept quiet occasionally.

Most of Us lump trees into gums and wattles and leave it at that, yet it is claimed that the shrubs and trees around Sydney are unique and of great interest to botanists throughout the world.

Which of us has seen a duck-billed platypus in his native haunts? He is one of the wonders of the world, and probably we have filled our billies within a few feet of his burrow.

And what about rock carvings?

Why, the very ground we tread on, and the stars in the sky, have a fascinating story to tell us! It seems foolish to close eyes and ears to such things when they could so extend and increase our enjoyment in the bush.

What can we do about it!

One of the problems that confront us is the difficulty of getting books on these subjects which the layman can understand. There are, however, many walkers and others with the necessary ability who would gladly share their knowledge if facilities existed. Articles could be inserted in club magazines. Walks for those interested could be arranged, and lectures given.

Such omtivities might well be part of the Conservation Bureau's programme, for the first step in conservation is appreciation. Conservation begins at home. If every walker had a knowledgeable appreciation of the bush, we should have several hundred ardent conservationists whose enthusiasm would be more effective than a hundred times their number of lukewarm adherent to the cause.

Here's hoping!

The Club Library contains the following books which will be of interest to those members who wish to increase their knowledge of the plants, birds, etc, that they see in the bush.

There may be others, but these were the most obvious on the evening we scanned the titles and made this list. Ed.

(Conveying the feelings of many who have camped near him).

It is easy enough to be pleasant
When you can sleep soundly and snor\\e But the man worth while,
Is the man who can smile
When he's kept awake by the roar!

J.D.

On December 10th and 11th the Trustees of the Blue Gum Forest paid the Forest a visit of inspection, which turned into a working-bee. The river was low so the Trustees indulged in some log-rolling, stone-throwing, etc. Oliver Glanfield, of Tuglow Caves fame, paid his first visit to The Blue Gum Forest to give the Trustees some expert advice on the erosion problem. Of course they had him working hard to., In a restful interlude on the Sunday morning (when the gale had died down) he took a sight on the topmost branches of one of the trees and measured its height 154 ft.

Without adventure, civilization is in full decay.

A.N. Whitehead.

by “Mumbedah”.

With the advent of each summer, one finds oneself listening expectantly for the shrill notes of the first cicada - somewhat hesitant in its preliminary efforts, a passing cloud across the sun being sufficient to still its voice to silence - but, with ever-increasing numbers to swell the song, they become more confident, until at last they shrill forth in deafening crescendo – the Voice of Summer.

Embedded in the Triassic shale in the Brookvale district have been found four hundred million years' old cicada fossils, their form being almost identical with our present day variety! Even in those early days the prehistoric creatures had a lot to contend with, but small boys are a new addition to their troubles. It is an interesting speculation, and one that may be not far removed from the truth, that the song (?) of these primitive creatures was among the first animal sounds to break upon a silent world. The shrill notes have fallen upon the ears of early Chinese, Greek, Roman and other writers, who personified the music, and stated it was… “like to the gods”, so perhaps the cicada of old sang a sweeter song than that with which we are so familiar.

The life cycle of the insect is full of interest. The eggs are deposited in cracks in branches and, on hatching, the baby cicada, which resembles a large flea, descends to the ground and immediately commences to tunnel into the earth with amazing vigor. On contacting a root, it forms a clay cell and, by thrusting its long probosis into the sap, obtains all its nourishment therefrom. The nymph, as it is termed, remains here (so far as is known) for a period of four to six years in Australia, whilst in America one species is known to occupy its underground home for seventeen years! The growth is slow, and the nymph sheds its shell several times to allow for increase in size.

At long last a restlessness pervades the insect, and it commences to ascend to the surface, where it awaits favourable climatic conditions, just beneath the top layer of earth, before emerging into the sunlight. These conditions fulfilled, we find a bleary-eyes, hunch-backed and muddy little fellow, like a gnome from the underworld. Making for the nearest tree, the cicada climbs a few feet and, digging its well-developed foreclaws into the bark, rests motionless for a while. Suddenly the tightly-stretched skin splits, and through the rent there emerges a green fleshy mass, which resolves itself into the perfect insect as it withdraws. Leaving the empty shell attached to the bark, it rests a few inches away and allows its wings to unfold. By next morning the wings are hardened, and away the cicada goes to join its brethren in the top branches.

Undoubtedly the most interesting fact is this - should the cicada be a male it will join in the chorus, whilst if a female (unlike bushwalkers of the same sex) it is dumb! Oh! What a boon! The song of the cicada is a love serenade. Shall we men live to see the day when it will become necessary for us to join in chorus around the camp-fire to attract our lady loves? I fear that, unless the present talent is improved, the bushwalkers then will be a vanishing race.

(County of Camden)

A large reserve for public recreation and preservation of native flora and fauna was gazetted on 2nd September,1938. A total area of 45,000 acres includes the original Tallowa Primitive Reserve of 7,700 acres and the Yarrunga Valley - Fitzroy Falls existing reserve of about 3,500 acres. The net gain, therefore, is about 34,000 acres - an area somewhat larger than THE NATIONAL PARK. The fine new reserve is a substantial and welcome addition to the wildlife and bushaland conservation areas of the State.

Other than the Tallowa and Yarrunga reserves, the additional areas include the greater part of Parish of Moollatoo (between Kangaroo River and Bugong Creek, and fronting onto Shoalhaven River), the southern half of Parish of Moryla, and a wide strip of Parish of Burrawang lying on the left-hand (eastern) side of lower Yarrunga Creek and continuous with the Yarrunga Valley reserve.

Almost the whole of the new reserve lies within the County of Camden, the only exception being an area of about 3 square miles between Shoalhaven River and the line of cliffs which bound the gorge on south side, and which firm the southern boundary of the original Tallowa Primitive Reserve for aboat 6 miles along the river. This particular strip of reserve lies within tho County of St. Vincent and Clyde Shire.

The whole 45,000 acres reserve is to be administered by a board of trustees.

The chief figure in the campaign organized to secure a substantial reserve in the Southern Highlands tourist district was tho late Mr. Mark Morton, M.L.A. He was ably assisted by certain very enthusiastic local citizens. The project was strongly supported by the various conservation Societies including the N.S.W. Federation of Bush walking clubs and the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council.

Because there appeared to be no comprehensive plan of the project in existence the N.P.P.A. Council decided to research the matter thoroughly. In due course the Council constructed a design which allowed for three adjacent State Parks, a Shoalhavon River Gorge primitive reserve, and included new reserves in Cambowarra Shire. The Central South Coast tourist interests favoured this scheme, and it was adopted by the Parks and Playgrounds Movement and the N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking clubs. Before submitting this design to the authorities it was decided first to discuss it with Mr. Morton, but this proved difficult and finally became impossible. Actually this comprehensive regional design reached the authorities rather too late to be of any use as a basis for discussion.

The boundaries of the now reserve, as gazetted, indicate that although Cambowarra Shire benefits to tho extent of almost the whole of Parish Moollattoo, the setting aside of additional reserves in the northern part of the Shire would be a good move. The boundaries also show that the great Shoalhaven River Gorge has not yet been dealt with in the manner which its rugged nature and scenic beauty deserve. Therefore the N.P.P.A. Councils' design still remains, to a great extent, a highly desirable project to be advanced in the common interests of the Council, the N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs, and the P. and P. Movement, Wild Life Preservation Society and other conservation bodies, together with the interests of Cambowarra and Clyde Shire Councils, Central South Coast tourist interests, and Berry, South Shoalhaven and Nowra Municipal Councils.

The N.P.P.A. Council intend to advance their projects for a Clyde-Bundawang National Park and Beecroft Peninsula (Jervis Bay) Primitive Reserve; and in addition to push for an adequate Shoalhaven River Gorge primitive reserve and compounded new and existing reserves in Cambowarra Shire.

Myles J. Dunphy

Hon. Secretary N.P.P.A. Council.

On December 6th the Convenor of the Mapping Committee of the R.C.C. wrote to us that:-

“The following official canoe club river maps have now been completed:-

1. Shoalhaven River (Badgery's Crossing to bomaderry Creek, Nowa).
2. Nepean River (Maldon Suspension Bridge to North Menangle)
3. Nepean River (North Menangle to Camden)
4. Hawkesbury River (Phillip to Cattai Creek Junction)
5. Cattai Creek.
6. Kangaroo River (Kangaroo Valley Suspension Bridge to Shoalhaven Junction).
7. Nepean River (Penrith to Phillip; including the lower Grose River).

“We advise you of the above as they are available for inspection by any member of the affiliated clubs, and, apart from their significance from a canoeing point of view, are of some value to walkers due to the fact that they clearly set out camp sites and give some indication of the walking conditions along the banks of the streams so far mapped.

“The committee has material in hand for the production of several more maps, and we aim at producing at least six maps per years Information will be supplied you from time to time with regard to the completion of additional maps.”

We congratulate the Mapping Committee on its achievements and aims, and also on the spirit of service of which they are the manifestation.

We feel that the members of the affiliated clubs who are readers of this magnzine will want us also to express their thanks to the River Canoe Club of N.S.W. for its courtesy in making its maps available for inspection.

Nancy Morgan of the Melbourne Women's Walking Club has been visiting Sydney, and was the guest of the S.B.W. at its December Meeting, and at its Christmas Party. We hope this slightly compensated her for missing her own club's Christmas party; and we hope the Melbourne Women had as much fun as the S.B.W. did.

Did someone tell Jack Thwaites of the Hobart Walking Club that “a change of work is as good as a holiday”? He has been Hon. Secretary of the club for many years, but has now been elevated to the position of President. Congratulations, Jack, and lots of Good Camping!

We have just been browsing in the December issue of “Into The Blue”, the C.M.W's quarterly. Twenty-five pages of entertainment and interest - and all produced by voluntary effort! Good work. Not that we do so badly ourselves, with fourteen pages per month, but we do enjoy reading the other fellow's magazine and learning what he and she have been doing, and thinking.

Did you hear the big noise on the 13th, or were you helping to make it? It was the Club's Christmas party and it went off with gusto. We did hear that the sound of gaiety travelled far through the city; certainly the echo of the “Hoys” from the Lambeth Walkers must have been heard for miles.

About a hundred S.B.W's gathered to the fray and demolished food with the usual amazing rapidity. An immense home-cooked pudding (of Trimble brew) was carried in by a Chef with a very hungry gleam in his eye, and it was with relief that the folk received their portion. Debert ruled out the eating of pudding until after the procession to the lucky dip, so that the rush to gather a gift from the bag of mystery was even more hectic than it might have been.

It was a great party and everyone agrees that it was the “best yet”. A large number of enthusiasts finished the night by supping at the Monterey in traditional S.B.W. style.

Well, at the Christmas party we saw the last of “Fitzie the Fireworks Fiend.” Whether she will behave as a respectable young matron should, when next we see her as Mrs. Harry Savage, remains to be seen. Just the same we wish, very heartily, the Fitz-Savage union every happiness.

By the time this goes to press Frank Cramp will havo joined the ranks of the newlyweds. He is marrying Thelma Colley and though we have not met Thelma, we hope that sho and Frank will have every happiness.

Betty Pryde and Perce Harvey have announced their engagement, and we offer them both our congratulations.

Our old friends Nannette Gorringo and Jack Lynch have also become engaged, we hear. We don't see very much of them, but we are sure they will be having all the happiness we could wish them.

Poor old Mouldy had an appendix. It was removed before Christmas, and he had to miss out on his motor holiday with Lawry & Co., much to his and the party's disappointment. Just the same, Mouldy seemed to bo making the most of his bad luck and was having as good a time as one could in hospital.

Norm Colton and his wife are going abroad very shortly. Apparently the wireworks at the concert proved a fascination, as Norm hopes to be back in time to help Norrio at the next concert.