The Queensland Years of Robert Herbert, Premier: Letters and Papers by Knox Bruce;

Author:Knox, Bruce;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Queensland Press

1. We must presume that Herbert did not include England in “elsewhere”; we must also presume that, at this time, Herbert was still not committed to a career involving colonial affairs. Cf. the Introduction, in which it is shown that he refused the Lieutenant-Governorship of Natal in favour of an Assistant-Secretaryship at the Board of Trade (December 1866).

No. 51

Brisbane

Nov. 17, ’65

[It will be noticed that Herbert repeats in this letter, not only much of the information contained in No. 50, but also several of his images and other points of expression: his habitual addition of flippancy for Janey’s benefit did not let him forget the need to get his letters ready for the departure of the mail.]

My dear Janey,

We are now paying for the delightful cool weather we enjoyed during so many months last winter. The heat has been very great once or twice already, though February ought to be the hottest time of the year. I am now writing at Herston at 4 p.m. with the thermometer 105 in the shade in the coolest part of the verandah. A “hot wind” is blowing from the west, parching up everything. One’s skin and hair become quite dry and harsh under its influence. The sensation is like standing close to a conflagration with a gale blowing the hot air upon you. Most other parts of Australia have had welcome rains, but here day after day the brazen sky is almost unclouded except for a white haze round the horizon. Water is becoming very scarce everywhere and our grass and vegetables are nearly come to an end. It is likely that the Government will be obliged to send a steamer up the river to bring down fresh water for the use of the town. We very rarely have such a hot wind in this part of Australia as is blowing today. I have shut the house up to keep it out, which is the only way of fighting against it. Very serious losses of life and property will I fear attend a long continuance of this drought. The population of Brisbane is so numerous now that the ordinary sources of water supply are quite insufficient; and the new water works are not finished.

So I am to have the pleasure of seeing you all this time next year. I am no longer only talking about it, but have settled it in my own mind and broken the fearful news to my colleagues the ministers. I suppose they are anxious to retain office; and if so they can do so as they will be well supported so long as they adhere to the policy with which I have provided them. I shall be heartily glad to kick off my harness, and “talk a spell” as the Colonial phrase goes. I am certain I could not have got through so many years hard work but for being a bachelor, and keeping very early hours. The anxieties of a family, and the burden of evening parties

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