012_289493176379299059684225362985624763369

7

25,000

do us good for it was a great change after being cramped up for a week on board
ship. Ships cannot approach to within a mile or two of the town though there is a long
jetty of granite which is said to have cost many thousands of pounds but which is of little service
as it does not extend to deep water. There is [indecipherable] money voted or to be voted to
extend the jetty along which a rail runs out into deep water and then Townsville will go
ahead with greater speed as mail and other ships will be able to lay alongside the jetty.
We left early on Monday morning. Gave Old Tom a glass of whisky, my birthday.

Monday, July 24

At Townsville we took on board another sullen passenger who will probably have
to stow himself wherever he can as there is no berth for him.
He is very tall about six feet three or more. Last night he slept on deck [?]
but found it rather cold. The thermometer is about 70 in the shade
and last evening in coming off to the ship we found it quite chilly though on
shore it was warm. Townsville people are very proud of their town and so the only drawback
is the advent of occasional hurricanes which blow frightfully. As to this paper from Townsville
they publish their paper which comes out twice a week so there is no opposition as they
take different days. Mrs [indecipherable] reminded me very much of Mrs [indecipherable]
both in voice and appearance. Bought some tobacco on board from the steward but it is of
poor quality to the right stuff.