MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM COX, J.P.
Lieutenant and Paymaster of N.S.W. Corps or 102nd Regiment
Extract from the Journal kept by Mr. W. Cox in making a road across the Blue Mountains
from Emu Plains to a new country discovered by Mr. Evans to the westward.
THE MOUNTAIN ROAD: October 1814
October 1.
Began on Friday to put up the building for the second depÙt. The situation is very pleasant, being on a ridge high enough in the front (which is due east) to overlook the standing timber altogether, and at the back there is a considerable quantity of ground without a tree, and a rivulet of fine spring water running through it. On this ground there is the grass tree and other coarse food, which the bullocks eat and fill themselves pretty well. The building for the store is 17 x 12, with 3 ft. sides, gable-ended, all weatherboards, and a door on the east end. Got well on with it this evening; finished on the 8th inst. Cost me eight men, six days. It is just 28 miles from Emu ford. [The site of the old Weatherboard Inn, now Wentworth Falls.
October 3.
Sick list: Handrigan, Lowe, sprained ankle. Several men have bad colds, but none laid up. Sawyers, carpenters, and 'smith are at work at the depÙt. The remainder gone forward, road-making. Went forward to see the workmen. At the 29th mile is a very handsome long reach, quite straight, which I call, from the layer of it out, "Hobby's Reach."
Finished the road this evening to the 30th mile. The carpenters getting well on with the depÙt. Nothing left to he done but weather-boarding part of the roof. Sent Walters to the first depÙt to bring forward the sergeant and Gorman to the second depÙt. Gave charge of all the bullocks to Walters, and ordered Cryer to labour for his bad management and inattention to the bullocks. There are many large emmets, or ant-hills, in this part of the mountain. I measured one at the 26 miles, of a sugarloaf shape; it was 6 ft. high, and 20 ft. round at the bottom. S. Parker laid up with a cold today. The blacksmith employed in steeling axes and grub hoes, and repairing tools; at other times making nails for the second depÙt. At 5 p.m. my servant arrived with horses from Clarendon, and to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock intend returning there, leaving the party under the direction of Mr. Hobby and R. Lewis. Wrote to the Governor to inform him of my going, stating to him my arrangements, etc., I had made.
October 22.
Having made my arrangements, etc., at Clarendon and Mulgoa with respect to my sheep and ensuing harvest, and attended his Excellency the Governor at the muster, I left Clarendon on Saturday afternoon in a single horse chaise, and slept at Castlereagh.
October 23 (Sunday).
At half-past 5 this morning left Rev. Mr. Fulton's. Remained two hours at the first and second depÙts to examine the stores, and make arrangements for forwarding the provisions, etc., for the people; and at 6 p.m. came up with the working party at the 39th mile, to which place the road was completed, having finished, during my absence of two weeks and four days, nine miles. Found Mr. Hobby and all the party in good health. On Monday morning Mr. H. returned in my chaise to the Nepean for a week or 10 days, and for want of grass I also sent back my saddle-horse, to Clarendon. On Sunday evening R. Lewis returned from the end of the mountain, about 10 miles forward, having been with three men to examine the mountain that leads down to the forest ground.
His report is that the descent is near half-a-mile down, and extremely sharp; that it is scarceiy possible to make a road down; and that we cannot get off the mountain to the north to make a road; that it appears to him much more difficult, now he has examined the hill, to get down than he was before aware of.
October 24.
Set all hands to work road-making, including blacksmith, carpenter, stonemasons, etc;, being extremely anxious to get forward and ascertain if we can descend the mountain to the south before we get to the end of the ridge.
Tuesday and Wednesday the men continued the same work, and getting on extremely well. Wrote to the Governor for a further supply of gunpowder, to enable us to blow up the rocks in our way; as also rope and blocks, to expedite us in building bridge and getting off the mountain.
Monday and Tuesday, wind at east, with cold showers.
Wednesday, at west, blowing very high and cold.
October 27.
Wind at east; very cold, with rain. All hands working only half a day.
October 28.
Removed forward to 42nd mile. Wind south, with constant rain. No work done, except the cobbler mending shoes. Sent the cart back to the second depÙt for rations. Two other horse carts employed in bringing forward provisions from first and second depÙts, which they appear to do very slowly. Heard nothing of the bullock cart belonging to Walters.
October 30 (Sunday).
Rain until about 5 o'clock in the evening. Wind at south-west. Blankets belonging to the men very wet and uncomfortable.
October 31.
The weather appears to have broken up. All hands went to work at half-past 5 a.m. The men removed to the 44th mile this day. The high, short ridge of mountains seen from Windsor was this day observed at 43º miles, bearing north, 60deg. east, distant about eight miles. A table rock seen by us from the rocks near Coley's pile to our right, and from all high lands since, was observed to-day, bearing east-north-east, distant about two miles. Two parties of natives are seen on the low lands to the west. One within two miles of us; the other about six miles.
