> 1st August 1967 (Tuesday)
0630 Bitterly cold 28*, went down to 26*. Athol went round traps - all animals in breakbacks frozen stiff as though they had been in an ice tray. 2 Notomys alone survived in cage trays. 9 Mus musculus, 2 leggadina - all dead (5 Mus & 1 Leggadina discarded) WR nos. 179-183.
0715 Spencer from SmithWhite came up to say that he could not find microscope lamp - told him to look in microscope box. He is 70 m. E of Blackstone in Cavanagh Ranges.
SCHED. 7.30 1. Telegram fr Perth. 13 words 4.22 yesterday
RIDE 8WNX KALGOORLIE SUNFLOWER SEEDS SENT TO WARBURTON MISSION VIA WESTERN MINING AIRCRAFT TERRELL.
Arranged SCHEDS
(i) with Ruth & Eric Swan 8 W.O.Y. at 0710
(ii) with Harry Butler at 0715 8WFS.
Telegrams sent .
1. DOUGLAS PHONE 491175 PERTH BRUCE COLLECT YELLOW BOX MUSEUM STOP UNPACK STOP NOTIFY PAT POSSIBLY STAY FULL TRIP LOVE : ATHOL
2. PROFESSOR WHITE CARE GENETICS MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY MELBOURNE UNABLE TO FIND MORABINES YAMARNA OR LAKE BAKER STOP WHERE DO THEY GO EVERY NIGHT : DAVID RIDE.
1(1Aug cont.)
[WR 179] Mus musculus f. Creek bed in spinifex near Sharpe's Bluff. Coll. A.M.D. 1/8/67.
[WR180] Mus musculus m. creek bed in spinifex near Sharpe's Bluff Coll. A.M.D.
[WR181] Mus musculus, creek bed in spinifex near Sharpe's Bluff. Coll. A.M.D.
[WR183] Leggadina hermansbergensis, creek bed in spinifex near Sharpe's Bluff Coll. A.M.D. [WR182] Mus musculus. Creek bed in spinifex near Sharpe's Bluff, Coll. A.M.D.
[WR184 - 185] Notomys both kept alive and sent to Perth. Collected in cage traps baited universal bait and oatmeal. Spinifex and sandy slope near Sharpe's Bluff. Coll. A.M.D.
Left camp at 09.10 drove down to the cutline nearest camp which bears 169*.
Cutline goes off at 320* ed down over hill onto major direction of 217*, crosses per creek (presumably at 387668, Turn left into 117*, cross over cutline on 32* (suspect this is the cutline which we have used over last few days to take usdown to the peninsula in square 4067).
Cross another cutline in a bearing of 60*. This goes up over the hills at the southern end of the lake & is marked with a metal post and tag no. 3/152 - possibly Hunt Oil.) Cutline ends with a rt. angle turn towards the South-West. No good to us. Back to 3/152. Take 60* cutline at 3/152. Reach creek over a sand dune. The creek flows into the lakes and to presumably 408666, time 12.10. Collected artifacts which had blown out of the dune where we stopped. Climbed down & saw island about 2 m. north across the lake with good exposures. Decided to walk. Little time because we would have to leave by 14.15 if we are to get back before dark. Crossing down to lake shore find Australite in on ones with flake tools on side of dune. Walked across to island, about 2 miles, took little over 1/4 hour walking across the crusty surface of the lake. Pleasantly warm in the sun - saw a couple of willie-willies in the distance. It would be a fierce place in summer. I have only seen it then from the top of Sharpe's Bluff with great willies tearing across its surface in the glowing[?] heat. Exposures on the island of about 20 ft., all gypsum crystals and evaporate [?] mud. Obviously the mainland basin [?] is a truncated bit of this overlain by sand dunes. No sign of australites. No fossils - only root tubes in the sand. Walked back. Collected another larger australite from the dune with the artifacts. This one is not chipped.
Back to vehicle. Had a bite of lunch at 14.10 hrs at turnoff down the road back. Turned right into cutline, stopped for Sched. 3 telegrams.
1. Melb., Vic. 12 w. 12.35 Ride 8WNX
IF PRESENT MORABINES SHOULD BE ON LOW ACACIA SHRUBS : MICHAEL.
2. Perth 15w 10.40 A. Douglas Museum Party. 8WNX
I RECEIVED CHEQUES THANKS ALL WELL LOTS OF LOVE : MOLLIE
3. Perth 15w.10.40 Ride 8WNX
FLOWERS JOY ALL TICKETS SOLD PENNY HAS SON LETTER WITH SEED LOVE MARGARET.
By interruption caused by station trying to get advice for Dr. who was in aeroplane on how to remove kangaroo tick. Advice hot needle (to neck, to tick, or stick into tick ?) - reply torch tick, then apply antiseptic ointment follow with penicillin 6 hourly - Suspect that this treatment wont work & will hear more of it. Sent 2 telegrams:
1. MR & MRS BANNISTER PHONE 284411 PERTH.
SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS DELIGHTED YOUR WONDERFUL NEWS : DAVID.
2. PROFESSOR CALLAWAY UNIVERSITY WA CRAWLEY HAVE JUST HEARD SEATS BOOKED OUT STOP PLEASE CONGRATULATE ALL PERFORMERS AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO SAINT COLUMBA COLLEGE APPEAL STOP AM SURE THAT SUCCESSFUL CONCERT WILL FOLLOW STOP WISH I COULD HEAR IT STOP WOULD LISTEN TO EACH INSTRUMENT IN LAST ITEM WITH PARTICULAR APPRECIATION STOP PLEASE ALSO ACCEPT THANKS YOURSELF REGARDS RIDE.
Went to drive on and find we had a staked tyre. Changed it. Reached our old cutline 32*, turned down it in order to find that out here across Sharpe's Buff is on own cleared track. Reached camp just before dark. Decided to leave here for Warbo tomorrow. After Athol & I finished our meaning[?]. He dug out a couple of burrows during the day. He also prepared a Notymus shell [?] for Jack Mackey[?] which I will send off from Warbo. Yesterday Bob removed section of Sharpe's Bluff. Must get more properly fixed in this feature. [Sketch showing layers of sediments ]. went to bed at 23.20 hrs. Cold. Spent rest of time on Notomys.
> 2nd Aug (Wednesday)
Sched 0730 hrs. Sent telegram to organizer of Crent Gueal[?]
C.P. Bird. Phone 33884 Perth
PLEASE GIVE ALL LADIES MY THANKS FOR SUCCESS RIDE.
Spoke to Dick Husthem[?] and told him that we would be over during the day and informed tht we had recd his message about the tyre. Harry Butler reports that he has Judmide[?] but nothing else so far. Spent morning cleaning up and getting packed. 12.15 had lunch. Saw Athol off first. Left camp at 12.45 hrs for Galimba and Warburton Mission. Arrived Galimba 13.55 hrs. Tank showing empty. Filled up both vehicles since last fill & 1 hour of charging & used 7 gals. Picked up 3 full drums of petrol, piping it up into empty drums placed in the centre aisle of the lab. Athol set off gingerly for the Hunt Oil turnoff. Missed Hunt Oil turnoff which, according to Dick Husthem is marked by an airstrip which crosses the road. This should be a few miles before road bearing North & then West to ? Sutherland Range now.
Reserve sign. Stub (Photographed) [C3721]. Arrived Warburton Mission. Athol and I had meal with Husthem and 2 mission visitors Bob sent to Western Mining for the accomodation[?]. Arrived at Western Mining Office, stayed night , met Bob Hewlett (geologist in charge), a crew-cropped Victorian, Les (his offsider - assays).
> 3rd August (Thursday)
7.30 Sched. Telegram sent TERRELL PHONE 384411
PERTH AT WESTERN MINING CAMP WARBURTON NO TYRE NO SCREED STOP WORKING AREA LIGHTNING ROCKS. RIDE
Having talked it over with Bob Hewlett last night he said that they had located an area of travertine[?] among the pre-cambrian over near Lightning Rock. Bob Savage and he looked at it on the photomosaic[?] and it looked like a possible small sedimentary basin. Decided to go over for a few days. Bob & I saw another fossil - a metamorphosed schist. Went and had lunch with David Kinnimont Native Welfare Mrs Kinnimont. She is interested in mammals. Mrs Kinnimont gave me a Notomys which she had bought from an old man for a stick of tobacco (20c.) last night, it had died during the night [WR186] Notomys. Athol purchased 5 Notomys (for $1 each - a greatly inflated price) alive at the native camp [WRS187-191] : hermed[?] later on 5th Aug., rest at end of next book. Decided to hire Johnson Lane, a Wongai man at $7.75 per diem to come out to Lightning Rock. Left Warburton Camp at 1458 hrs for Lightning Rock. End of rearee[?]. Out of petrol in tank, refilled with 1 jerrican. Athol stopped vehicle just before Lightning Rock ("Lightning Rocks close up here")and ran down a Notomys [WR192]. Arrived Lightning Rock, made camp in the dark. Athol and I put out 60 shewners[?], setting down at 10" intervals for the camp site. Low sand-wind grass and spinifex occasional scattered trees, mostly acacias. To bed at 11.30.
> 4th August 1967 (Friday)
Lightning RocksUp at 6.00. Cronough[?] R.V. clear to the east across the plain. Sched at 7.00 to Harry Butler - very poor reception. He is olc and has Leggadina, Notomys and Tadarida[?]. Spoke to Kevin Ewings at Yamarna, told him to use our spare drum and give us credit. Spoke to Spencer South White[?]. Sam McKay[?] had broken his leg and had to be flown out from Wingelina yesterday. They are now at the junction of the Giles & Sandy Blight Junction roads.
SCHED at 07.30 Telegram from Terrell to Ride 8WNX
TYRE SENT HAWTHORN OF WARBURTON MISSION AT LEONORA ON 26TH JULY STOP SUNFLOWER SEED SENT VIA WESTERN MINING KALGOORLIE 31ST JULY AND TO WARBURTON VIA THEIR CHARTER PLANE ON AUGUST 2ND STOP TYRE AND TUBE LOCATED LEONORA STATION TERRELL
replied TERRELL PHONE 284411 PERTH -
THANKS WESTERN MINING SEARCHING STOP PROBABLY REROUTE TYRE RAWLINNA HOLD LEONORA UNTIL INSTRUCTED STOP INFORM ME REGARDING SACRED STORE WARBURTON AREA : RIDE.
Had breakfast and a very bad spasm of toothache, took Boscopan but it laid me out until 10:00 when I went over to Bilbring rock to see paintings found by Job. Johnson had already told us that there were waterholes in the rock. Photographed paintings [C37122-5] Sketch. Also took colour photos of Cavenagh Ra. to east , towards north west. To south and to Lightning Rocks across our camp [C3726-30].MUST INFORM LANDS AND SURVEY LIGHTNING ROCK NOW ON OTHER SIDE (i.e. NORTH) OF ROAD. Traps this morning had a Notomys [WR193], a Leggadina [WR194]. On the way back from rocks Athol fell in a mouse in the cup [WR195] Mus musculus.
Left camp to look for T....te[?] exposure bedore the Cavenagh Range which should be six miles from here. In valley between red dunes W of Cavenagh Range collected quail thrush at Athol's request. In low acacia silicate [?] and calcrete [?] outcropping. Numerous tracks of what seems to be a very small..iepod[?]. Photos 1.[C3131] of Bob at exposure 2. [C7732] of general view of Acacia[?] for Quail thrush habitat. Bob collected Cinclusoma specimens. Stopped took photos of Cavenagh Range esl & small plant in the dune to serve as background for ....l[?] [C34-36]. Back at camp. Johnson had found 2 dead mice mummified [WR5196-7] went out with Johnson in afternoon and looked at tracks.
Dangawal(ah) or Wulwul - Notys
Mingay = mouse
Wynde = possum (sounds very like Wylde) still extant in big trees.
Wylburdee *= at night eats carrion. long nose & tail
Ninoo = digs holes in thicket country = M. lagotis
Wanoo = rock wallaby
Maalaa = holes like rabbit. finished now. Wallaby = B. lesmeuri
Marloo = red
Killigidee, Tonigabadoo = emu
Goolbit - Cosmo, Warburton etc not his place but on the Rawlinna Road plenty Cundeelee
It looks as though Wulil Wulil is not Antechinery's at all as John Kinsela thought. Must check with Mrs Kinnimont and "that feller John in Western Mining Camp."
The travertine exposures are a dead loss. There are nodular calcrete structures which seem to be fixed within the dunes - they may later be silicified to form nodular siliciates and even given a fenicrete surface. No fossils here. Bob collected specimens which illustrate all stages including a secondary stage in the calcite function which results in a superficial over blace[?] to comglomerates. One of the Notys Athol kept has a broken leg, killed it [WR187]. Back at camp at 9.30. Shot a pigeon for the pot at sundown.
* John Cam suspects this is Myrmicodia.
> 5th August (Saturday)
Up at 6.45, a cold night 28*- pyjamas split up the back so I couldnt get warm. Still feel better. 7.30 Sched. Telegram from Terrell etc in reply RIDER 8WNX 26words
TWO HUTS DESPATCHED BY DNW BY RAIL IN JUNE ERECTION OF SAME PENDING ARRIVAL OF PROJECT OFFICER IN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS STOP MEASHER STOP ADVISE ARCHER REMAINS HERE BEGINS SORTING IDENTIFYING IMMEDIATELY MERRILEES BAYNES.
Walked up the hill with Johnson and got a somewhat unsatisfactory interpretation of the paintings. He says that they were done a long time ago. The white ochre comes from over near Wimbourne Hill and the red from all about here. Athol had considerable success : 2 Notymus, 1 Leggadina, 1 Antechinus macdowellensis : Notymus [WR187], [WR188], Antechinus macdowellensis [WR199], [WR200], [WR201], [WR202], [WR202], [WR203], [WR204], [WR205] Leggadina, [WR206] Notomys. Left Lightning Rocks for Warburton Western Mining camp. Giles Tank took photographs of inscriptions "Sir John Forrest 15:8:74[C3805], "Giles Tank" D.C. Cable 21:8:1930 (sandlewood cutter of Laverton) whose inscription so nearby seems to have been responsible for them. View of the watchhole "tank" [C3806]. View across the Cavenagh Ra. from the tank [C3807]. Run out of petrol i.e. 1 complete jerrican used since 97.7 i.e. 63 miles about all in 4wheel drive i.e. 17 m.p.g. Caught Mus musculus in light of spotlight [WR no number, discarded]. Drove back to Western Mining camp in dark. Had meal with Les who told me that the Macrotis which had been the pet of John Carr of Western Mining had escaped. Turned in at 10 pm, very tired indeed.
> 6 August (Sunday)
After breakfast had Sched to try to talk to Ruth Swan[?] to get her postal address, arranged for 2pm. Drove over to talk to David Kinnimont. Paid $30.95 for hire of Johnson Lane, $5.00 for Sacred ornament, $1.60 for 8 Notamys (1 dead - discarded). Position with stoves for Sacred Bonds is that half of each stone is to go here and the other half at Leonora. They will be brought up by the Mission & there will be a bill for cartage. David Kinninmont will forward this through DNW. Kinninmont will be away until 21st of August and can be expected to stay at Warbo for 6 weeks. Ceremonies are about to start when people come from Musgrave Park and and will last about a fortnight. Man making ceremonies, kangaroo geyle[?]. one boy from here has been sent to Musgrave Park and they are waiting for him to come back - could be 100 people over from the Musgraves. Regarding the postion of female anthropologist, Betsy Gould was allowed to witness a little of the beginning of sacred ceremonies but David K. would not advise having a woman involved in the store for sacred boards. A person known[?] in the area should be employed in the negotiations or at least known by reputation (of our people only Crawford[?] is known). Of bush natives left, a camp of 3 males, 3 females & 3 children are 50 m. south of Windy Corner, they will be contacted by Bob Verburct of Woomera Research Centre next week. David & Bob leave here on the 12th or 13th of this month & will be met 4 or 5 days. The group is thought to have been at Warbo 6 or 8 years ago & is probably Pintibi[?]. Except for 4 (man, woman, 2 children) in the Sir Frederick Range.(trucks seen by United Carrier[?] Exped), this is probably th last guys outside the missions and stations. Bob V. went back & checked the trucks of the Windy Corner lot but the U.S. Exped. report is not confirmed Petrol at Gambamba[?], David Kinninmont will pick up the 1 1/2 drums & issue an LPO to the Museum. 1430hrs Sched a failure too much electrical machinery. Filled up at Western Mining, tank showing[?] empty. Left 1 2/3 drums there & 1 empty drum.[Must write to David Kinninmont about this]. John E. Carr. Friend of the South Australian Museum. Carr came in an hour or so before we left for Rawlinna. He is a keenly interested naturalist & friend of John Mitchell. Has excellent Kodachromes of Notomys also he is making a collection from the area for S.A.M. Have given him a note for John Mitchell suggesting that John Gets a permit for him to collect. He ha a photo of a Sminthopsis worth following up. Left Warburton Mission 1545 hrs. Left new road on the old Warbo road to the south, went along it until it petered out. Turned back to new road - no Athol - back to look for him. Puncture. Back at new road, decided to drive down as far as the Yowalga Oil Well. Camped there for the niight 25.1 miles from Warburton Mission.
Very tired & fed up. Mechanic at Warbo Western Mining misinterpreted the attitude of the International and had told Athol that it was dangerous - this produced a crisis which resulted in it being impossible for me to load petrol into the rear of the vehicle. So we have only our tanks and normal fuel drums to get us there. Little to play with.
> 7th August (Monday)
Up at dawn, a beautiful but very cold morning. Talked to Harry Butler at 0700. He is at a position 15m N.E. of Elduna Rockhole & 5 miles from Kalura Rockhole on his way to Wanna Lakes. Spoke to Ruth Swan[?], got her address for M. and tea[?] women to write. Told the Swans composition of our party and to expect us at the weekend. Telegram sent:
1.RIDE PHONE 862242 PERTH :
LEFT WARBURTON FOR RAWLINNA STOP YOUR LETTERS WARBURTON MISSING WRITE CARE SWAN KANANDAH PRIVATE MAIL BAG KALGOORLIE 6434 LOVE ALL:DEE
2. TERRELL PHONE 284411 PERTH.
WARBURTON AREA UNPRODUCTIVE STILL NO TRACE SEED OR MAIL STOP FIND AND REROUTE KANANDAH PRIVATE MAILBAG KALGOORLIE 6434 STOP ALSO REROUTE TYRE RAWLINNA STATION STOP MERRILEES WHOLEHEARTEDLY APPLAUD YOUR DECISION STOP SARA WHO IS GOING STOP WILL WRITE OR TELEPHONE CAUTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE : RIDE
Left camp at 10.30 hrs. to drive to the Rawlinna turnoff. Airstrip crosses road on top of hill. Drove back tp the first major turn off southwards or per Hawthorn's instructions. Turn off. Road goes off on 111* (31.2 m. from mission[?]). Cross laterite hill. Road starts to wind through dunes. Evapinate[?] on top of hill (v. low; about dune height) to east of road ; presumably blue spots show at 447718-7. Bulldozer exposed silicified sandstone & a mail-like or having spangilite-like [?] white rock rather like that of the Cretaceous along the Gunbarrel Highway. Collected Amphibolous at exposure. Stopped at Cretaceous outcrop for lunch at 1330, probably Gold Rocks 453706. Started again at 1400 hrs. road bears 160*, breakaway on left with ? trig point on hillcrest on right. Road bears 175*. Road follows around top of breakaway, camped at top of breakaways. Numerous small caves & rockshelters with plentiful stick & stone auberat[?] structures[?]. Decided to have traps set all over to try to find out what makes these structures[?]. Numerous small common-type scats around the piles. Sched. Telegrams recd.
1. PERTH 21 words 2.31 DR RIDE 8WNX
TYRE REROUTED TO RAWLINNA STOP SEED MAP ETC SENT TODAY VIA WESTERN MINING TO WARBURTON WEDNESDAY PLANE STOP PROJECT OFFICER A.T.PARKER OF KALGOORLIE SARA ON LEAVE THIS WEEK. TERRELL.
2. PERTH 14w. at 1.19 RIDE PORTABLE 8NNX
THANKS THREE LETTERS WRITING TODAY CARE SWAN CONCERT HILLARIOUS SUCCESS LOVE MARGARET.
Set. 1. TERRELL PHONE 284411 PERTH.
ALREADY LEFT WARBURTON PLEASE REROUTE MAPS SEED KANANDAH RIDE.
West for a walk to see if I could get a euro. Scats around the breakaways. No luck. Found that one of the Lake Baker Notys had given birth during the day to 3 young surprisingly large. Did not touch them for fear of having them eaten ; however marked H & B in a bit of paper approx 31 mm.[WR 212] Antechinus macdonnellensis f., died in captivity 7 Aug 1967. Caught Lightning Rocks A.M.D. 6/8/67. Fried chop fat in cage trap. No young in pouch, 6 very small teats each separate by spaced from the other (not in groups like some dasyurids).
[WR 213] Notomys male 6/8/67.
The Pearl Shell Ornament : [Told to David Kinnimont by David Gill, a Wongai, originally from the Mt. Davies Area.]
This is Bilbit - breast bone of kangaroo.
Belongs to Marloo, belongs to David Gill ; got it the other side of Talawan. Come from Ernabella long way from Alice Springs.
Boy from Mt. Davies was blown away by wind. Men went to look. Two men, one Marloo and one Euro, started at Mt. Davies. A different Marloo came over Warburton way and went back. Went right round this side Alice Springs looking for one boy. The Marloo and Euro went to many places. The different Marloo man was coming around other side Winbal (Winburn Rocks) picked up boy at Punti-put, north-east Winbal went to Bungala yulgoari. The Marloo man put the big boy in his pouch to Billbarin, where he was made a man, which is south east of Mt. Davies. Marloo man left him (the Bilbit) this side of Alice Springs. Someone gave him to my brother who gave him to me. Part of the journey is marked by a rock formation near Alownis [?] which looks like a kangaroo lying on its back. [The carving on the ornament has no significance for the Wongai-or the story above] [C3808-11].
