Aug.,1 

 1917 J 



IlosENHAlN, A Thousand Miles on River Murray-. § t 



into Lake Victoria), the natives were massacred in great 

 numbers — to such an extent that the waters of the creek were 

 said to have run red with the blood shed on one occasion. It 

 is stated that the creek obtained its name " Rufus " from this 

 l)loody battle. 



As regards the trip itself, we were a happy party of nineteen 

 tourists. Leaving Echuca at 6 o'clock in the morning, we 

 very soon settled down to making each other's acquaintance 

 and the routine of the ship as regards hours for meals, &c. 

 I feel personally indebted +0 the Gem Co. and its chairman, 

 Mr. Drew, who, I was informed, in the face of much opposition, 

 succeeded in getting the company to inaugurate the trips. 

 Everything was done to make tourists feel comfortable, happy, 

 and contented. The ship was clean ; the cabins (all two-berth 

 deck cabins) were large and well ventilated ; the beds were 

 comfortable and bedding clean ; electric light throughout the ship ; 

 hot and cold plunge or shower baths ; ladies' saloon, gentlemen's 

 smoking room, and large diningroom. The meals were good, 

 well cooked, and nicely served, and quite a number of courses 

 at every sitting. Besides the usual chief three meals, there 

 were extra appetizers at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m., so we 

 were well looked after in that respect. The crew consisted of 

 one captain, two mates, one purser, two engineers, two 

 stewardesses, six deck hands, one cook, one " slushey." The 

 cook was a Chinaman. His pantry and kitchen was a model 

 of good order and cleanliness ; he was an epicurean artist. The 

 steamer has three decks the full length of the vessel (140 feet). 

 I can absolutely recommend this trip to everyone who desires 

 a week or fortnight's real rest and enjoyment second to none 

 in Australia. The scenes from the top deck were most 

 inspiring — gliding along in perfect spring weather, line stately 

 red gum eucalypts lining each side of the river as far as one 

 could see, a few ducks, swans, and pelicans now and again 

 skimming along the water or flying overhead. From both 

 sides of the river came the songs of the various birds which have 

 their habitats there. On the whole, there was not much bird- 

 life on the river. The Murray has very few long stretches — 

 it continually turns and zigzags ; in fact, the captain, when 

 appealed to on one occasion after we had made a long detour 

 of about three miles, which could have been covered on land 

 by about 100 yards or less across, said it would break a snake's 

 back to try and navigate the river. 



Our first stopping-place after leaving Echuca was about 

 mid-day, when we had to take in wood for fuel. This allowed 

 us about an hour ashore, and enabled us to penetrate inland 

 a little. After taking in sufficient tuel, a start was made for 

 Barham Sawmills. This is a large mill on the New South 



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