Reminiscences
of Queensland

1862-1899.

BY

W. H. CORFIELD.

FOREWORD

The reasons for this book are as follow:—Whilsttalking over early days with Mr. Courtenay-Luck,the popular Secretary of the Commercial Travellers'Club, that gentleman suggested that I should writea paper, to be read at a meeting of the HistoricalSociety of Queensland.

In writing that paper, so many long-forgottenmen, places and incidents came back to memorythat I thought my reminiscences might proveinteresting to others. I may be occasionally incorrectin dates, or in the sequence of events, but I relatefacts and personal experiences. As they are, I leavethem to the kind consideration of readers.

W. H. CORFIELD

Sandgate,
   October, 1920.

Reminiscences of Queensland

1862-1899.

CHAPTER I.

[7]

As it is in the blood of most Englishmen from the "West Country" to seekadventure abroad, it is little wonder that the visit of an uncle fromAustralia strengthened a desire I felt to seek my fortune in thatcountry. This uncle—H. C. Corfield—was the owner of some pastoralcountry in the Burnett district, and described in glowing terms life inthe Australian bush. I might say here this was not all it had beenpainted, but that by the way.

And so it happened that on a cold, foggy morning in February, 1862, Ifound myself with an old schoolmate—George Custard—on board of, as itwas then customary to advertise, "the good ship, 'City of Brisbane,'1,100 tons burthen, 'Neville,' Master," which lay in Plymouth Sound,waiting her final complement of passengers for Queensland.

Mr. Henry Jordan, who was representing the Colony, came on board toaddress the passengers, who, he said, were going to a land of promise,where in the evening of his life, a man—as the reward of hislabour—would sit in the shade of his own fig tree and enjoy the rest hehad earned.

Soon the capstan was manned, and the anchor lifted to the old chantey: