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| tlm-p_s_diaries [2024/06/24 21:08] – judith | tlm-p_s_diaries [2024/06/24 21:15] (current) – [Diary for 1888] judith |
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| At //Maroon//, an issue of concern to father and son is the take-up of land by small selectors, as shown by the following diary entries: | At //Maroon//, an issue of concern to father and son is the take-up of land by small selectors, as shown by the following diary entries: |
| Tuesday 3rd July: 'Tom wished me to ride about and see the stock and selectors, the scrub around Mt Maroon is almost if not all taken up.…' Wed 4th July:'After lunch went with T[om] de M. up the creek past Harveys. The selection near Pococks had been on fire, flat burnt, but Pocock was putting it out, he did not know how it originated. We followed up the line of my pre-emptive No. 1 between Lightbody's and that to see if there was any country fit to be taken up. Tom did not think so, then by the outside of Lightbody's line till we went down a very steep gully....' Thursday 5th July: 'on way back called at the Selectors at the back of T de M selection, it looks like a good piece of land, there is a hut and a good extent of clearing (Jamieson). He seems a very decent man. Several have taken up selections at the back they say all the scrub is taken up. Geo Harvey has a selection a small piece fenced with a paling fence (very good) - cultivated - potatoes. It seems to me that he was invading, we tried to run the lime of my purchase next to Childs but did not manage well, will have to get a tracing and more time than we had ... There seems to be a great land hunger. Now the more selections taken up the better but I can hardly see how they will make it pay - the labour and expenses of clearing is great; they deserve to succeed.'\\ | Tuesday 3rd July: 'Tom wished me to ride about and see the stock and selectors, the scrub around Mt Maroon is almost if not all taken up.…' Wed 4th July:'After lunch went with T[om] de M. up the creek past Harveys. The selection near Pococks had been on fire, flat burnt, but Pocock was putting it out, he did not know how it originated. We followed up the line of my pre-emptive No. 1 between Lightbody's and that to see if there was any country fit to be taken up. Tom did not think so, then by the outside of Lightbody's line till we went down a very steep gully....' Thursday 5th July: 'on way back called at the Selectors at the back of T de M selection, it looks like a good piece of land, there is a hut and a good extent of clearing (Jamieson). He seems a very decent man. Several have taken up selections at the back they say all the scrub is taken up. Geo Harvey has a selection a small piece fenced with a paling fence (very good) - cultivated - potatoes. It seems to me that he was invading, we tried to run the line of my purchase next to Childs but did not manage well, will have to get a tracing and more time than we had ... There seems to be a great land hunger. Now the more selections taken up the better but I can hardly see how they will make it pay - the labour and expenses of clearing is great; they deserve to succeed.'\\ |
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| Three days later, on Friday 6 July, TLM-P is on the move again, This time accompanied by his daughter-in-law Florence and her eldest daughter Florette, heading back to Brisbane. He notes that 'there was not time to call at Coochin' but this time, 'Bell was waiting for us on roadside plain near the Station. Florence [M-P] went into Bells buggy leaving Florette and an [unnamed] maid with us. We made a good trip reaching McDonalds accommodation house at 11am, after having left Maroon 'a little after 8am.... Mrs Dutton (late Minister for Lands' mother) arrived by the train which was late with Dutton's 2nd daughter en route to Coochin.' They got to Ipswich about 5.30 and Florence and Florette visited 'Minnie' (TLM-P also routinely calls on Minnie at Ipswich). TLM-P did not go as he did not want to risk missing the Brisbane train, noting that mother and daughter 'returned just in time'. The train got into Brisbane at 10.30 - TLM-P took Florence and Florette to 'the Bellevue'[[wp>Bellevue_Hotel,_Brisbane]] while he stayed at the Queensland Club. \\ | Three days later, on Friday 6 July, TLM-P is on the move again, this time accompanied by his daughter-in-law Florence and her eldest daughter Florette, heading back to Brisbane. He notes that 'there was not time to call at Coochin' but this time, 'Bell was waiting for us on roadside plain near the Station. Florence [M-P] went into Bells buggy leaving Florette and an [unnamed] maid with us. We made a good trip reaching McDonalds accommodation house at 11am, after having left Maroon 'a little after 8am.... Mrs Dutton (late Minister for Lands' mother) arrived by the train which was late with Dutton's 2nd daughter en route to Coochin.' They got to Ipswich about 5.30 and Florence and Florette visited 'Minnie' (TLM-P also routinely calls on Minnie at Ipswich). TLM-P did not go as he did not want to risk missing the Brisbane train, noting that mother and daughter 'returned just in time'. The train got into Brisbane at 10.30 - TLM-P took Florence and Florette to 'the Bellevue'[[wp>Bellevue_Hotel,_Brisbane]] while he stayed at the Queensland Club. \\ |
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| The next day (7 July) TLM-P saw the Commissioner of Lands who 'had all the papers etc referring to Malvern Hill, found that G.V. next to T de M's block, re improvements. The dam valued at £1400, the fencing mostly at £40 per mile, this was gazetted before the amended act was passed, and price of improvements inserted. If taken up must be stuck to. The only way would be to write to Minister requesting that improvements be re-valued, which if acceded to would cause the withdrawal and re-proclassing of the block which then would have to be taken up and revalued after. Having the Freehold at Maroon would not prevent taking up selection also its being in the Mitchell District where I am a Lessee would not interfere. District being taken as Commissioners District, being hundreds of miles from Aberfoyle think the risk too great as also delay. Wrote Tom and will consider what to do on return from Melbourne.' He was a fond father and grandfather, so on 10th July when 'Florence had servants etc to look about ... [9 year old] Florette came with me to Parliament House'. Later in the day he bought 'some dolls etc., for Toms children, book for Florette and [her sister] Phyllis'. \\ | The next day (7 July) TLM-P saw the Commissioner of Lands who 'had all the papers etc referring to Malvern Hill, found that G.V. next to T de M's block, re improvements. The dam valued at £1400, the fencing mostly at £40 per mile, this was gazetted before the amended act was passed, and price of improvements inserted. If taken up must be stuck to. The only way would be to write to Minister requesting that improvements be re-valued, which if acceded to would cause the withdrawal and re-proclassing of the block which then would have to be taken up and revalued after. Having the Freehold at Maroon would not prevent taking up selection also its being in the Mitchell District where I am a Lessee would not interfere. District being taken as Commissioners District, being hundreds of miles from Aberfoyle think the risk too great as also delay. Wrote Tom and will consider what to do on return from Melbourne.' He was a fond father and grandfather, so on 10th July when 'Florence had servants etc to look about ... [9 year old] Florette came with me to Parliament House'. Later in the day he bought 'some dolls etc., for Toms children, book for Florette and [her sister] Phyllis'. \\ |
| On 18 July, it is time to catch the train to Melbourne to take part in the official opening of its Centennial International Exhibition. The railway he travels on, connecting Brisbane to the southern states, was opened in 1888. TLM-P comments extensively on the properties and towns they see from the train, and appears as chatty as ever with fellow passengers. He stopped overnight at Tamworth and, on a chance meeting, had dinner with Frank Wyndham and his wife: he had last seen Frank, then a boy, about 40 years ago when TLM-P was acquiring colonial experience at //Dalwood//. His next stop was Sydney where he first went to 'Mrs Darvalls' then was driven (?by Anthony Darvall?} to his mother-in-law's home //Rockend// at Gladesville.((Andrew Darbyshire, A Fair Slice of St Lucia. Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, St Lucia History Group research paper no. 8, p.68n)). \\ | On 18 July, it is time to catch the train to Melbourne to take part in the official opening of its Centennial International Exhibition. The railway he travels on, connecting Brisbane to the southern states, was opened in 1888. TLM-P comments extensively on the properties and towns they see from the train, and appears as chatty as ever with fellow passengers. He stopped overnight at Tamworth and, on a chance meeting, had dinner with Frank Wyndham and his wife: he had last seen Frank, then a boy, about 40 years ago when TLM-P was acquiring colonial experience at //Dalwood//. His next stop was Sydney where he first went to 'Mrs Darvalls' then was driven (?by Anthony Darvall?} to his mother-in-law's home //Rockend// at Gladesville.((Andrew Darbyshire, A Fair Slice of St Lucia. Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, St Lucia History Group research paper no. 8, p.68n)). \\ |
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| On his return, TLM-P again focused on the contentious issue of a road at Maroon. This time Captain Whish accompanied him to Maroon. The next day, 25 August, he, Tom and Captain Whish rode 'to top of range near Coochin gates where we met Mr Nowman chairman of Goodman Divisional Board. We took the track through No. 12 formerly T. de M. M-P selection, from the gate along the fence for some distance and then along the spur and so on tracing the way to where the road joins. Still continuing thro his and Grangers selection to near the rocks where there is a good crossing place, occuring across the corner of my No. 1 Pointrow selection ( which I do not like) then into No. 20 (Lightbodys) crossing the river twice and to original surveyed road near the No. 20 boundary. Marked the road to the crossing place No. 27, this I trust will finish the dispute and satisfy the people though I think the Pointrow road would have been the best for them. We also let the roads from selections down below station be according to the plan as a fair exchange for all other roads given up to us.' The next day (Sunday 26 August) Whish prepared the papers to send to the Goodman Board: 't.de M. M-P signed as Lessee consenting, self as proprietor'. \\ | On his return, TLM-P again focused on the contentious issue of a road at Maroon. This time Captain Whish accompanied him to Maroon. The next day, 25 August, he, Tom and Captain Whish rode 'to top of range near Coochin gates where we met Mr Nowman chairman of Goodman Divisional Board. We took the track through No. 12 formerly T. de M. M-P selection, from the gate along the fence for some distance and then along the spur and so on tracing the way to where the road joins. Still continuing thro his and Grangers selection to near the rocks where there is a good crossing place, occurring across the corner of my No. 1 Pointrow selection ( which I do not like) then into No. 20 (Lightbodys) crossing the river twice and to original surveyed road near the No. 20 boundary. Marked the road to the crossing place No. 27, this I trust will finish the dispute and satisfy the people though I think the Pointrow road would have been the best for them. We also let the roads from selections down below station be according to the plan as a fair exchange for all other roads given up to us.' The next day (Sunday 26 August) Whish prepared the papers to send to the Goodman Board: 't.de M. M-P signed as Lessee consenting, self as proprietor'. \\ |
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| By Monday is is back in Brisbane, and the following day undertaking Legislative Council business. His following days were filled - he was checking taking over some mortgages on the advice of 'Cameron', had his photo taken, visiting family and friends, going to the theatre and dinners, and attended the funeral of Mrs Helen Thornton. On Friday 31st he attends to some transfers of mortgages held by Rosa and his late wife Matilda. With the latter, as Tom 'is his Mothers heir', Tom had to do it. Another entry that day notes that Lizzie had given birth to a boy, and that he had received a letter from his daughter Meta that Nora 'had reached Brighton safely'. Both wives were remembered: on 3 September he recorded that he had been married 42 years ago. He has a loving relationship with his daughters and on 17 September goes to Brisbane? 'hospital to see Nellie Hinderley, Lizzie's nurse at Aberfoyle who is now at hospital training and is going to Toowoomba to be with Lizzie for the next week.' \\ | By Monday is is back in Brisbane, and the following day undertaking Legislative Council business. His following days were filled - he was checking taking over some mortgages on the advice of 'Cameron', had his photo taken, visiting family and friends, going to the theatre and dinners, and attended the funeral of Mrs Helen Thornton. On Friday 31st he attends to some transfers of mortgages held by Rosa and his late wife Matilda. With the latter, as Tom 'is his Mothers heir', Tom had to do it. Another entry that day notes that Lizzie had given birth to a boy, and that he had received a letter from his daughter Meta that Nora 'had reached Brighton safely'. Both wives were remembered: on 3 September he recorded that he had been married 42 years ago. He has a loving relationship with his daughters and on 17 September goes to Brisbane? 'hospital to see Nellie Hinderley, Lizzie's nurse at Aberfoyle who is now at hospital training and is going to Toowoomba to be with Lizzie for the next week.' \\ |
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| Early October was taken up by a political crisis when the Governor refused to pardon a prisoner (Kitts) on the Government's advice: 'The Government had had mis-understanding with H. Excellency and had sent in their resignation'(4 September). When a new government could not form, nothing could be done but 'to wire to London' for advice'(5 October) - Queensland is still very much a colony. The crisis deepened when the Governor refused to accept the Government's resignation (6 Oct). The deadlock was broken when the Governor received instructions from London to pardon Kitts.(8 Oct) TLM-P's good relations with both his wives' families is underlined by his frequent visits to both families, including the Barkers and Tullys. He went out of his way to say good-bye to Mrs [Jane?] Darvall 'before she left for Sydney'.(13 Sept). He subscribed the large sum of .£5 for a 'monument which friends are putting up for the late Henry Walsh'.(20 Sept). Walsh had been a highly divisive fellow member of the Legislative Council, described in the [[https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/walsh-william-henry-4795|Australian Dictionary of Biography]] as 'gauche, nasty, devious, highly egocentric and prone to strident appeals to English tradition' as well as being 'Accused of monomania about maltreatment of Aboriginals, with little help he continued an eloquent fight for the rights of Aboriginals, Kanakas and Chinese for the rest of his life: he was governed by genuine Christian charity and by a distaste for working-class prejudice.'\\ | Early October was taken up by a political crisis when the Governor refused to pardon a prisoner (Kitts) on the Government's advice: 'The Government had had mis-understanding with H. Excellency and had sent in their resignation'(4 September). When a new government could not form, nothing could be done but 'to wire to London' for advice'(5 October) - Queensland is still very much a colony. The crisis deepened when the Governor refused to accept the Government's resignation (6 Oct). The deadlock was broken when the Governor received instructions from London to pardon Kitts.(8 Oct) TLM-P's good relations with both his wives' families is underlined by his frequent visits to both families, including the Barkers and Tullys. He went out of his way to say good-bye to Mrs [Jane?] Darvall 'before she left for Sydney'.(13 Sept). He subscribed the large sum of £5 for a 'monument which friends are putting up for the late Henry Walsh'.(20 Sept). Walsh had been a highly divisive fellow member of the Legislative Council, described in the [[https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/walsh-william-henry-4795|Australian Dictionary of Biography]] as 'gauche, nasty, devious, highly egocentric and prone to strident appeals to English tradition' as well as being 'Accused of monomania about maltreatment of Aboriginals, with little help he continued an eloquent fight for the rights of Aboriginals, Kanakas and Chinese for the rest of his life: he was governed by genuine Christian charity and by a distaste for working-class prejudice.'\\ |
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| In September and October TLM-P is busy meeting with family and friends, stiffing a frilled-neck lizard for Meta, parliamentary business and on 10 October attended the funeral of Queensland's Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave after his unexpected death. After the funeral he, with his son's Hervey's young child Hervey along with Lizzie, her baby, went to Maroon. The season had been dry but the grass was green and the garden had plenty of roses and flowers. The mandarin tree was nearly dead and the orange trees looked 'very seedy'(13 Oct). The children - Hervey, Rosie and Ethel 'are the greatest friends'(13 Oct). The following day he 'had a walk with all the children to try and pick up a fringe violet'. Back in Brisbane, he was concerned with his health: I had been very anxious for some days about what I thought a slight running and sysmptoms to a return of the fistula for which I had been operated some seven or eight years ago so next morning Tuesday [16th] I ... went to Dr Thompsons'. The Doctor reassured him: 'the old cut quite clean and pronounced no sign of fistula, ... Heart still not quite the thing but much better than when I was with him last before leaving for Europe. Felt much happier, he said a good deal of tenderness about intestine and asked if I had not had piles, but it would soon be well.' Was this an early sign of the stomach cancer which killed him three years later?\\ | In September and October TLM-P is busy meeting with family and friends, stiffing a frilled-neck lizard for Meta, parliamentary business and on 10 October attended the funeral of Queensland's Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave after his unexpected death. After the funeral he, with his son's Hervey's young child Hervey along with Lizzie, her baby, went to //Maroon//. The season had been dry but the grass was green and the garden had plenty of roses and flowers. The mandarin tree was nearly dead and the orange trees looked 'very seedy'(13 Oct). The children - Hervey, Rosie and Ethel 'are the greatest friends'(13 Oct). The following day he 'had a walk with all the children to try and pick up a fringe violet'. Back in Brisbane, he was concerned with his health: I had been very anxious for some days about what I thought a slight running and sysmptoms to a return of the fistula for which I had been operated some seven or eight years ago so next morning Tuesday [16th] I ... went to Dr Thompsons'. The Doctor reassured him: 'the old cut quite clean and pronounced no sign of fistula, ... Heart still not quite the thing but much better than when I was with him last before leaving for Europe. Felt much happier, he said a good deal of tenderness about intestine and asked if I had not had piles, but it would soon be well.' Was this an early sign of the stomach cancer which killed him three years later?\\ |
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| His appointment as Presiding Chairman of the Legislative Council (see [[politics & the_post_office]]) then took up much of his time. This was a temporary position due to the death of the Governor. He was disappointed that Parliament sat for longer than expected, meaning that he missed his desired boat to England: (7 November)'__much disappointed__, so will Nora and the children when I am not back at Xmas.'\\ | His appointment as Presiding Chairman of the Legislative Council (see [[politics & the_post_office]]) then took up much of his time. This was a temporary position due to the death of the Governor. He was disappointed that Parliament sat for longer than expected, meaning that he missed his desired boat to England: (7 November)'__much disappointed__, so will Nora and the children when I am not back at Xmas.'\\ |
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| TLM-P's diary ends shortly before he returns to England to be reunited with Nora and the children. It appears to have been an aide memoir when writing to them and for business matters, as well as a means of relieving his loneliness while away from his family. It is valuable for its glimpses of travel and life in 1888 as well its insights into his character - particularly his insatiable curiosity along with the self-confidence to talk to all manner of people on their expertise. For more on this diary, click [[1888]] to read Judith Godden, 'Glimpses of 1888 - the diary of T.L. Murray Prior', //Australia 1888 Bulletin//, vol. 4, 1980, pp.60-65.\\ | TLM-P's diary ends shortly before he returns to England to be reunited with Nora and the children. It appears to have been an aide memoir when writing to them and for business matters, as well as a means of relieving his loneliness while away from his family. It is valuable for its glimpses of travel and life in 1888 as well its insights into his character - particularly his insatiable curiosity along with the self-confidence to talk to all manner of people on their expertise. For more on this diary, click [[1888]] to read Judith Godden, 'Glimpses of 1888 - the diary of T.L. Murray Prior', //Australia 1888 Bulletin//, vol. 4, 1980, pp.60-65.\\ |
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