Difference between revisions of "Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 19/10/1872 (2)"

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I made au early start next morning for Moulnmein, the distance is twenty-five miles. The first distance guide come to was Bimbernett, nine miles, where there is a stockyard belonging to the Moolpar station, hut no habitation. Crossing plains, pine ridges, and a few creeks, almost swimable, another ten miles was got over, and Landale's woolshed was passed to the right. Following a wire fence running parallel with the road for about five or six miles further, Moulamein was reached.

Moulamein , situated at the junction of the Billabong with Edward, is remarkable as being the oldest township in Riverina. Before Deniliquin was proclaimed a township prisoners were brought to Moulamein for trial. Hay, Balranald, Deniliquin and even Wagga Wagga have since come into existence, and in point of progression, left Moulamein a long way behind. The best building in the township is the post and telegraph office, a neat structure of brick, with slated roof. It is under the charge of Mr Edward Manners.

The Moulamein Hotel is a well-conducted country inn, carried on by Mr William Burgess. He is the oldest publican in Riverina, and perhaps the most jovial of all. It is the only hotel in the town, and does a good trade. Opposite the hotel is an excellent country store, the property of Mr Thomas Linton. It is well supplied with drapery, grocery, and the usual class of general goods for bush requirements.

The public school, a good building, was closed at the time of my visit. The cause was not explained. Nearer the centre of the township, I was shown a large wooden building undergoing alterations and improvements. I was informed that it had been purchased by two squatters of the neighbourhood, Messrs. Learmonth and Valiant, for church and school purposes. These gentlemen had further shown their liberality by appointing a teacher at a salary of £100 a year. These acts of generosity deserve the highest commendation.

On the boundary of the township is the Mooloomoon station, the property of Robert Landale, Esq, JP. It has a frontage of eight miles to the Edward, and seven miles to the Billabong. It is under the management of Mr G C Jaffray. From Mr Burgess, of the hotel, who as I before remarked, one of the oldest residents, I learned that Messrs W and J Jackson first took up country here. They were succeeded by Carne Brothers, Firebrace and Brown, Landale and Robinson, and Mr R Landale (the present occupier) in the order named.

It was raining in torrents the morning I left Moulamein for Deniliquin, in company with the mail contractor. It had been raining almost unceasingly for several weeks before, and I was strongly advised not to travel, for the reason that it would be impossible for me to swim the creeks.

An urgent engagement at Deniliquin, however, compelled me to push on. Leaving the road, and keeping wide of the Edward, we travelled through many miles of water, which seemed to cover the country. It was often up to our saddle-flaps. Box Creek No. 1, two miles from Moulamein, was safely passed; Boxwood Creek No. 2, four miles further was also got over; but at Gum Creek, six miles distant, we had a swim, which made the ride a most uncomfortable one, for we were there drenched through. Four miles beyond, and ten from Moulamein we got to Woorooma station, Mr Lachlan and M'Bean's. The residence here is a very fine one of brick, but as no person in charge was at home at the time of my visit, I could obtain no information.

I left the mail contractor at Woorooma and resumed my journey amid torrents of rain. For four dreary hours I paddled through water-often up to my horse's girths. The vast body of water spread over so many miles of country was truly astonishing. For two or three miles at a time I saw no vestige of a track, and it is a mystery to. myself how I found my way on that dreary day with a jaded horse. Towards nightfall a habitation, a welcome sight, appeared in view and in a few minutes afterwards I found myself at Murgab, Mr F A Gwynne's station. Here, as in every other place on Riverina, I was warmly welcomed, and treated most hospitably.

I have before referred to Messrs Gwynne Brothers as being among the small band of pioneers who first took up country in Riverina. Their adventures and battles with the blacks at that time, would make a most interesting volume. As a proof of the remarkable decrease in the number of the aboriginals, it is stated by Mr Gwynne that about twenty-eight years ago, when Messrs Walker, Morris, and he, were on an exploring expedition for new country, they saw, between Moulamein and Hay, at a low calculation, at least 3000 blacks. At one place in particular, close to the junction of the Edward and the Wakool, a body of warriors 300 strong received them. They were splendid fellows, and not without military tactics, judging by the fact that the dense dark mass was drawn up in the form of a triangle. Murgab is a sheep station.

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