cats in the water-holes. The
rats had gone and the cats having had plenty, did not follow, but died
in the water-holes.

Our team driver was James Gordon, one of two brothers who owned the
selection which later became famous as Mount Morgan. We sold this team
to Warenda Station, and James Gordon went with it.

During this year (1879), Vindex Station was purchased from Scott and
Gordon by Chirnside, Riley and Co., of Victoria, who, like other
investors, spent money lavishly to develop the country.

The manager was Mr. J. B. Riley. This gentleman died in 1889, but is
still affectionately remembered throughout the district.

To those who knew him, his death was felt as that of a staunch personal
friend. By none was his death more regretted than by those who worked
for him, either as permanent or casual employees, and by whom a monument
to his memory has been erected on Vindex.

Outside the property he controlled, J. B. had three personal hobbies, a
good horse, the Winton Divisional Board, and the local Hospital. Of
these three hobbies his principal one was the hospital and its sick
occupants. On his death it was felt that the most appropriate monument
to him would be a new ward for eye complaints to be added to the
hospital.

This was generously subscribed to by all classes, and the J. B. Riley
ward of the institution served to remind us of one who, by his charity,
goodness and generosity, was a good man, but whose shyness did not allow
of this being known. His brother, Mr. F. W. Riley, and Mr. R. L.
Chirnside, who were closely associated with him, carried on his good
work, and became as deservedly popular.

Throughout this year (1880) the town and district had made progress, and
new people were coming in.

We were now doing a good business in both store and hotel, consequently
we had to depend on drivers for our teams without supervision.

It was decided that I should follow the teams to Townsville to in some
way dispose of them, and also to bring up a man to assist Fitzmaurice in
the hotel.

When I reached Dalrymple I learnt that one of Fitzmaurice's teams had
been swept over the rocks while crossing the Burdekin River, and that
eight of the bullocks were drowned. It appeared that the river, though
not a-swim, was running strong at the crossing.

The first team crossed safely, but on the other reaching the strong
water, the driver of the team rode around to the off-side to keep the
bullocks up the stream.