Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 13/3/1875
DENILIQUIN
March 4
Since my last there have been indications of rain and nothing more; the temperature during the day has been warm and rather chilly at night. Altogether I may characterize it as fine, healthy, seasonable weather. More rain is needed to bring forth the fruits of the earth to perfection; but in the meantime there is a good, vigorous growth of grass and vegetation of all kinds. In a sanitary point of view, we cannot be too thankful for the change from the sultry heat of the midsummer months, for disease is pretty rife here in the shape of dysentery, measles, and its satellites.
To say that every alternate household is or has been visited, by the epidemic, is below the mark; and the number of patients in each varies from one to half, a dozen. Only two deaths have occurred - one, a boy nine years old; the other, a girl of fourteen - and both from congestion of the lungs, following the measles. As the rate of mortality varies so much in different localities, I make special mention of this for the information of those who may endeavour to ascertain the cause of this difference. The most serious cases have occurred in North Deniliquin, which is situated on a much lower level than the south side; and these two cases in particular occurred on the very margin of a swamp:
North Deniliquin presents favourable opportunities to the naturalist for studying the habits of the ubis, spoonbill,, arocet, the many beautiful varieties of crane, and other wading birds, who. with their long legs, rather enjoy stalking about up to their knees in water; but the rest of the inhabitants can't appreciate it. It has no representative in the council, all the aldermen being returned from the other aide; but twelve months ago, on the occasion of another death in the same family as one of the above, all the ratepayers on that side signed a petition praying that this surface water might be drained off, but so far nothing has been done.
At the meeting of the council, on Monday last, the financial statement for the last six months, ending February 1st, was read. The income from all sources was £2167 4s 9d, expenditure £1619 19s l0d; leaving balance to credit of £547 4s 11d. The odd money, leaving £500 to the good, would do all that is necessary. Two of the oldest-established mercantile firms in Deniliquin are on that side, and for the sake of the general health it is strange they do not take more interest in the matter.
To give an idea of the nature of the country during the last flood, the water extended eight miles book, and the Hay-road and Wagga-road were navigable for that distance. On the south side, the land is high and dry, and a finer bit of open country than the town common, which extends five miles on each side of its river, could hardly be found in the colony. It is across this the railway line is marked out to its intended terminus at what must eventually be the very heart of the town. I notice the directors have made the necessary deposit of £25,000. as required by the Act, and they speak very confidently of something more than the surveyor's pegs being seen shortly. A line of railway hence to Moama, would have paid years ago, and with the population doubled or trebled since, and daily increasing, there would be plenty of traffic for a couple of trains a day. Very little engineering skill is required, and there are few lines in the country whose average cost per mile will not be larger than this. If a start were made, the shares will soon go up, but at the same time we shall than seem greater aliens than ever from Sydney
About as good a thing as you can de with a horse inclined to ramble, is to put him in your pocket, and this seems the Government policy with Riverina. Circumstances might bring about separation, or annexation to Victoria some day; and £100,000 to the credit of the territorial revenue for the two days land sales here and in the neighbourhood, as Friday and Saturday last is a very suggestive fact, supplemented as it was with 5460 acres selected the previous day
At the police court, the first case was the children (three little girls), of Mrs Jones, who was convicted at the sessions last week of receiving the money stolen by her children, at her instigation, from the council chambers, for which offence she was sentenced to two years imprisonment. The three little unfortunates were sent to an industrial school; but in mercy to poor humanity, I would fain qualify this horrible story, if possible, by stating that the woman is subject to fits of insanity, and was in the midst of a drunken debauch at the time. How this may condone her violation of a mother's duties, I will not presume to judge.
The district court business occupied Friday and Saturday. The business transacted was not of much public interest.
No fat stook have crossed this week, excepting 1060 sheep (Bauson’s), which have since returned. Mr Mann reports the sale of 2500 sheep to some of the neighbouring selector, Breeding ewes are in demand since the rain. Messrs Wouldridge and Wren report the sale of 600 store ewes to Mr Dalgleish, selector, and a draught for local consumption. Mr Manu sold cattle and horses by auction to-day.
On Monday last the committee of the Deniliquin Jockey Club settled the programme for two days' sport on Thursday and Friday, 29th and 30th of next month. 1st day: Sapling Stakes, 26 sovs; Prince of Wales Stakes, £30; Town Plate £75, Hurdle Race, £25; Publicans' Plate, £35; Hack Race £10. 2nd day: Maiden Plate, £30 ; Railway Stakes, £25; Club Handicap, £100 Selling Hurdle Race, £10; Riverina Plate, £40; and Forced Handicap, £30.
Mr Elliott, the brewer, has matched his horse Dexter to trot Mr Parker's Creeping Jane, three miles in harness, for £25 a side, during the races. Mr Elliott will trot his own; and the well known whip, Johnny Purcell, affiliates for Creeping Jane.
Mr Boyce Sharp, plumber, of Wentworth. Having occasion to get out of bed in the night, was bitten twice in the leg by a snake. Dr Goodwill was immediately sent for, but the sufferer expired about 9 o'clock on Friday morning, the second day after the occurrence. Mr Sharp was about 60 years of age and a general favourite in the district. Deep sympathy is felt for the bereaved widow and family.
Mrs Mann, wife of Mr Mann, stock agent, while on a visit to her friends at Woodford, tripped and fell, and sustained a fracture of the leg.
The Murrumbidgee at Hay has risen 6 feet 6 inches, and is raising slowly. The steamers are afraid to venture up.
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