A boat trip along the Darling shows off the old river gums and many of the river properties that still have piles of wood cut for the paddleboats. The wood was cut by itinerant workers who wandered up and down the river cutting the fuel for the river transport. The
steamers burnt about a ton an hour, for which the timber cutters were
paid about two bob. The going rate was a florin for a lineal measurement
of cut timber known as a 'chord'.The
men would pile the timber and leave with it a small leather pouch with
their details inside. The paddle boats would stop and collect the fuel
and the purses along the way and at the next port, would leave the purses
with their pay inside for collection. In this way, the 'gumcutters'
had a steady stream of credit whenever they reached the next town. |
Gumcutters Two
bob a ton boys , a florin for a chord Two
bob a ton boys, the old Jane Eliza Here
she is now boys, the whistle's the warning Lets
ride a day boys to old Curanyulpa These
River Red gums are scarred from our axes Pack
up your swag boys there'll be no more drinking ©2002. Words and Music, Andrew Hull and Tonchi Macintosh |