017_110777018593822578043763313024062017967

the fact that one of the iron water tanks was placed down in the hold of the schooner where it
blocked the way between the horses both for locomotion and for [indecipherable]. As the horses were
constantly adding to the heap of manure the stench at least became almost unbearable. Some of the
horses were continually bleeding at the nostrils from the effects of the ammonia given
off and even for the short time the men had to go down to water and feed them, they complained much of the stench.
I suggested that they should remove a tank first using the water it contained which would otherwise probably become bad
but Kilfoyle with characteristic obstinancy refused to do it. "It would be all right" he said and nothing could
move him so water was passed down from the tanks on deck while that in the hold was allowed to remain
untouched until it stank. Then when the water was spoilt they commenced using it and I protested against giving
the horses such water as likely to kill them living as they were in such atmosphere. Kilfoyle
proceeded to mend matters by mixing off a tank of good water with the tank of stinking water
thus spoiling good with very little improvement on the bad. No reasoning served to move him from his purpose.

Next morning a horse was found dead probably grippe which may or may not have been caused by the water.
The supply of stinking water was then stopped for a few days after which it was again resumed and again a horse
was found to have dropped dead. Some said he had dropped down on the rope and chocked himself but Sid pointed
out that he was low the day before so Durack agreed. It was therefore evident that it was not a case of choking. Moreover
the rope was too low altogether to choke him. I again urged the necessity of getting rid of the
stinking water and taking up the tank and Sid spoke strongly on the same subject so at last it was done
and everyone on board the schooner remarked what a great improvement was at once manifest in the atmosphere
of the hold.