Claudius Buchanan Whish diaries

These entries were written by Claudius Whish while serving in India with the 14th Regiment of Light Dragoons During this time he was employed as an Interpreter and Bazaar Master for the Regiment. The diary is in fragments and separated into several parts:

1. A single sheet which begins 1 January 1855 "my appointment as Interpreter" and describes the march of the Regiment from Meerut to Kirkee (2 sides)

2. This part begins [16] January and describes in detail the regiments movements up until 21 April (44 pages)

3. A single sheet which begins "To connect this with my diary which begins 3 Nov", he is offered an appointment with the Executive Engineers in the Rewa Kannta district (2 sides) [Whish had attended the Thomason Civil Engineering College, Roorkee, north of Delhi between 1852 & 1854]

4. The part begins 3 November as he undertakes his duties surveying roads and other works, and finishes 7 December (12 pages)

5. The final part continues the narrative of 7 December through to 31 December, describing his activities clearing and surveying roads, but ends the year with a fever (24 pages)

Diary written by Claudius Whish, whilst serving with the 14th Regiment of Light Dragoons He is stationed at various garrison towns and camps in India, and is employed as Assistant Quartermaster General of cavalry on General Jacob's staff during the Persian campaign of 1856.<

In this diary Whish records daily activities while serving with the 14th Regiment of Light Dragoons as part of the Bombay Expeditionary Force under Sir James Outram; their voyage from Bombay to Bushire [Bushere] in southern Iran aboard 'The Result' returning to India in October. Whish sailed for Australia aboard SV 'Simla' on 1 December commissioned to purchase remounts for the regiment.

On the flyleaf is an extract from orders by Brigadier General John Jacob C.B. (Persian Expeditionary Force) dated Bushire, 18th August 1857. "This officer is one of the most able, active and deserving staff officers I have ever met".

Whish arrived on 8 January in Melbourne, making his way to Sydney, he travelled extensively through NSW, purchasing remounts for the army. He departed Sydney for Bombay on board the 'Admiral Boxer', which almost came to grief on the Barrier Reef, losing one third of the horses in a storm. Just weeks after his return to India he married Annie Dow Ker (1831-1890) on 16 September. They made their first home at Kirkee near Poonah before he was sent on patrol to Mhow during the latter stages of the Indian Rebellion.

This diary gives an account of further activities in India for the year 1859. In January Whish left Mhow with Captain Parker, and goes on patrol from Kirkie [now Khadki] to Mahabuleshwur via Sattarah. Whish returned home to Poonah in late March, he describes his work commitments, social activities and by December exclaims "How many more Christmas Days are we to have in this country". Annie who was expecting their first child left for England in November on board the 'Northam'.

Whish prepares to leave India in January, and arranges to sail on the ship 'Sydenham', an account of the voyage is included. By June the Regiment is stationed at Newbridge south-west of Dublin. He takes leave from late June to August to visit Annie and his baby daughter Annie Maud (1860-1928), who are staying with his family in Manchester, and returns to duty until the end of the year.

In January 1861 Whish, his men and family left Newbridge, relocating to Liverpool. In March, he took leave for the birth of his second daughter Mary Evelyn (Eva), 1861-1921 and during this time gathered information about farming in Queensland. He received a letter of introduction to James Landsborough in Australia and wrote to his C.O. of his intention to leave the regiment. His mother Mary Hardwick Whish, nee Dixon (1790-1861) died in August of this year.

This diary contains an account of Whish's voyage to Australia aboard the 'Young Australia'. Having embarked early May 1862, they reached Moreton Bay, in August, 85 days later. Whish took with him five apprentices, Harry Delpratt (Joseph Henry Delpratt 1845-1873), Herbert Holderness, Henry Ditmas and two brothers Raines, John and Henry. Harry Delpratt’s sisters Lucy and Julia also accompanied them as well as Mr & Mrs Bishop, who were to be employees in return for the cost of their passages.

Whish as a free settler and former army officer was entitled to claim land orders under the Real Property Act of 1862, which was legislated to encourage the production of exportable crops, such as corn and sugar cane. The family initially rented rooms in Brisbane, while Whish explored favourable areas for possible land purchase. He negotiated with Captain Louis Hope to acquire land at Cleveland, but was disappointed and instead decided upon a property of 468 acres on the banks of the Caboolture River.

Annie gave birth to their third daughter Ethel Augusta (1962-1934) in November, and not long after Whish left his wife and young family, having purchased tools, horses, and supplies, and set out with his crew of men to establish his plantation. Whish also hired John Buhot 1831-1881 an experienced sugar-refiner; and carpenter Mr Stewart.

This diary contains detailed entries from 1 January describing the establishment of the property he called 'Oaklands' at Caboolture, in readiness for the arrival of his family. He recounts moving Annie and their daughters from Brisbane via ship and sailing up the Caboolture river to their new home. While in Brisbane Judge Lutwyche appointed him Justice of the Peace. Whish set to work clearing land for crop production, building shelters for stock and planting a food garden.

Of particular interest

Whish describes his interactions with 'blacks' or members of local Aboriginal communities who were put to work clearing the scrub, but who also sought to trade with him, bringing fish, honey and sheets of bark. He also writes of 'saltwater blacks' arriving with a sea turtle to trade for flour. The volume ends on 11 September, the remaining four pages consist of notes regarding the farm's operations.

Entries begin on 11 September 1863 when Whish received a visit by two neighbours Letham and Stewart offering advise for planting corn, and on the same day he recorded planting his first cotton crop. Much work continued planting food crops and ploughing and grubbing cleared land.

Whish purchased a 'cutter' the 'Celia Anne' and regularly visited Brisbane for business and supplies, including medicines and crop seed. He continued to employ Aboriginal people clearing and burning scrub; they brought him honey, fresh fish (mullet) and one of his men obtained a native dog (dingo) from them.

Whish experimented with different varieties of cotton, digging out the 'New Orleans' and planting 'Sea Island' seed, and visited other established properties near Kilcoy. In December 1863 he recorded the death of a German labourer August Schwenzle who drowned while swimming in the Caboolture River; and entered into partnership with ‘Colonel’ John Trevilian, former officer of the 3rd Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) British Army who purchased a half share for ￡2500 and bought the next two blocks to the west.

In January 1864 Lucy Delpratt who had accompanied the Whish's to Australia, married Reverend John Tomlinson, a year later they returned to England.

In September 1864 Harry Delpratt left Whish’s employ and moved to the cattle station of William Ducket White on the Logan River, later purchasing his own property of 3000 acres and ‘Tamborine House’ in 1870.

The entries conclude 30 September 1864.

Entries in this diary begin 1 October 1864 and describe in detail the difficulties of managing the property - tools, working horses and bullocks were of prime importance to its success. Whish employed a nurse to assist his wife Annie who was expecting their fourth child, Edith Buchanan (1865-1930) who was delivered 9 February 1865.

As the crops matured he looked for advise and markets, and employed a brickmaker to utilise the clay deposits at 'Oaklands'. He consulted Walter Hill, Superintendent, Brisbane Botanic Gardens who advised on the cultivation of sugar cane in the colony.

Of particular interest

Many sheets of bark were supplied by the local Aboriginals who also continued to offer fish; large groups arrived in the region in August; they joined with the Doorondur [Durundur] tribe for a corroboree in December; and supplied shells to burn in his lime kiln.

The entries conclude 18 December 1865, the day after 33 South Sea Islanders labourers arrived and were put to work. Whish had negotiated with his business partner John Trevilian to procure the workers to provide a large labour force to cultivate the cane in sufficient quantities to make the operation profitable.

This diary contains entries for almost four years beginning 12 January 1866. The following is a brief account of major events that were recorded.

1866

• January: Whish purchased several hundred cane plants ; engaged a nurse as they were expecting their fifth child ; and retained Hugo William Du Rietz to begin construction of their home
• August: Claude Arthur Whish was born ; Maud badly scalded herself and required nursing for several months
• November: 'Tolo' one of the Islanders died and was buried
• December: An order of hydrometers and thermometers arrived ; he made his first sample batch of sugar

1867

• January: Whish purchased 'Cabulture Bay Plantation' [Bay View] 640 acres at the mouth of the Caboolture River
• April-May: Much experimenting with sugar production
• June: 'Bagging sugar' ; Whish unsucessfully stood as member for East Moreton in the Queensland Legislative Assembly
• July: Crushing cane juice ; ordered a 250 gallon still and obtained a distillers licence ; paid £150 in advance for 50 Islanders to Graham Mylne MLA and Henry Ross Lewin ; two Mare men - Terence and Kiaki arrive, two others were returned and paid off
• October: Produced his first batch of rum, which became popular at Government House and found a market in Brisbane
• November: Whish looked over another 'shipment' of Islanders who had arrived on the 'King Oscar' ; entreats the Agents Fenwick, to 'send back' the Islanders, unsuccessfully

1868

• January: Whish unsuccessfully petitioned the government to grant him more land in recognition for his services to the sugar industry ; his sugar is selling well and rum being ordered
• February: Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Queensland ; Whish traveled to Brisbane to attend the laying of the foundation stone for Brisbane Grammar School [Roma Street] by the Prince.
• August: Making molasses

1869

• January: Sugar Planters met about the 'Polynesian' question and formed an Association

The rest of the volume is a list of outgoing correspondence for the period 2 February 1870 to 27 November 1871 

This diary for the year 1870 shows Whish making Canary Rum and rum shrub (syrup) which was transported to market by steamer; the cane crop at his other plantation 'Cabulture Bay' was growing well. His partner John Trevilian procured equipment for processing sugar-cane - a Wetzel pan & 2 centrifugals. In March they experienced a very high flood that destroyed much of their crop at 'Oaklands' and Whish expressed interest in obtaining Indian coolie labourers for his plantation.

Whish continued to 'employ' Aboriginal and South Sea Islander labourers at his plantation as well as several Chinese, one of whom died after being scalded by liquid sugar.

In September the 'Barbara Jane' arrived bringing 25 Islanders from the schooner 'Spunkie' for which he paid £230, but public resentment against their employment caused Whish and Trevilian to return them to their home lands.

In October he planted several different varieties of sugar-cane 'Black Cheribon Java' and 'Guatamote New Caladonian' given to him by George Raff.

In November desperate for workers he engaged 30 newly arrived German emigrants and made hasty arrangements to sail to the South Seas for more Islanders with George Raff, 1815-1889 and George Gray, 1844-1924, engaging the 'Harriet King' but the venture did not succeed.

The diary also includes two entries for letters sent November 29 and December 28 1869, mainly to his business partners Black and Trevillian endeavouring to make arrangements to repay the money they have invested.

The diary for 1871 begins with prayers for a better year as Whish looked for funds and potential buyers for his 'Oaklands' plantation. Once again he engaged the schooner 'Harriet King' to obtain labourers from the South Seas and soon after Captain Winship of the 'Lynntona' was accused of kidnapping three boys, which were found to be working on Raff's property at Caboolture.

In January 10 hogsheads of rum were despatched for sale, the first in Queensland produced in commercial quantities.

Whish continued to improve his property 'Cabulture Bay' sourcing equipment and workers, and in February another 20 Islanders arrived. Much time was spent clearing and planting, milling corn for flour and setting up a second sugar house. He records building special accommodation for his new workers and purchasing clothes for them - shirts, trousers and caps, and all the while attending sessions in the Legislative Council.

In April his partner John Trevilian gave notice of his intention to disolve their partnenrship, and later that year announced his engagement to Blanche Vincent, and returned to England.

Whish put forward a motion decrying the investigation into the Polynesian Laborers' Act as their labour was essential to the success of the sugar industry. In June he engaged further Islanders, 8 men and 2 women; he was called to investigate the death of an Islander named Lisca and two of his own workers died in June. He also constructed a tramway to aid the movement of crops to the mill and products to market.

This diary is labelled January to May 1872 but also contains entries written in the rear of the volume titled "1871 Overseers journal for Oaklands" with a list of 'Home letters 1872'. The transcript reflects the narrative in chronological order.

The overseers journal describes in great detail the process of crushing and producing sugar, written by the mill overseer James Upward.

James Upward established the 'Good Hope Estate' at Maryborough

In 1872 Whish was unable to meet his expenses and auctioned much of the equipment, stock and machinery from 'Oaklands'. The bulk of the machinery was sold to Mackenzie of Rockingham Bay and George Raff of Morayfield. Whish moved his family to his property at 'Cabulture Bay' but sought more secure employment and was offered a position with the Surveyor General's Office of "Road Surveyorship". Having secured his appointment he moved the family to more suitable accommodation and rented a house named ‘Ballymore’ located at Herston.

Entries contained in this diary are from 8 May 1872 to 20 May 1873 ; there are also two bundles of loose pages which record entries for 21 May-22 July 1873, and 23 July-11 Sept 1873.

Now residing at ‘Ballymore’ at Herston, Whish gives an account of their life in Brisbane and in June he commenced a Government position as Surveyor of Roads; his work takes him to Moolola, Tinbeerwah, Buderim, Camp Mountain, Mackay, Bowen.

Whish arranged for McLean to employ his Tanna boys [South Sea Islanders], and in September finally succeeded in selling 'Cabulture Bay' with its cottage and 64 acres, 32 under sugar, for £859 - a sum much less than expected, and moved to another home 'The Terraces' at Bulimba.

This diary contains entries from 15 September 1873 to February 1874.

Whish petitioned for insolvency in September and attended court to answer questions of creditors; as a consequence he was asked to resign his position as surveyor, and was immediately re-employed as 'acting'.

Whish knew the value of a healthy stable of mounts which he was obliged to use for his work and in November 1873 employed Frederick de Jersey (1856-1934) as a groom and general hand, at 12/- [shillings] a week.

Much renovation is done on the property he is renting known as 'The Terraces' at Bulimba; and his work includes surveys of Bulimba, Redbank, Sideling Creek (Lake Kurwongbah) ; the editor of the 'Telegraph' A.M. Francis offers him work.

Whish was reappointed road surveyor in January 1874 at £300 per year plus £400 for staff, wages and equipment.

Entries in this diary are from 17 February to 5 August 1874.

Whish continued his work as road surveyor west of Petrie and Kalangur ; he called for the arrest of one of his employees who had become threatening ; he took over a more senior surveying position advising on roads and bridge crossings - Ipswich, Bundambah, Nerang, Yatala, Mudgeeraba, calling into many properties such as Yahwulpa homestead, and the Pimpama plantation.

In June Annie gave birth to their sixth child, George Irwin (1874-1938) ; and Whish took his other son Claude out on camp with him for the first time.

This diary covers 6 August 1874 to 17 March 1875, and concludes with a short list of letters written home.

Whish's work took him to many locations surveying and costing bridge crossings at Logan, Mudgeeraba, Nerang, Waterford, and Yatala ; he is promoted to Inspector of Road Surveys for the Southern Division, at £600 per year with a team of five surveyors: Alder, Collins, Unsworth, Walne & one other. He investigates a new method of sinking piles in sand; a scheme to open up the 'Tweed country' ; as well as planning sections of Breakfast Creek and Eagle Farm Roads. His work also took him north west to the properties of the McConnels of Durrundur, and Butlers at Kilkoy.

Entries cover 18 March through to 3 October 1875 and describe his ongoing work as a surveyor, visiting many pioneer properties to investigate and report on access requirements - roads, bridges and causeways at Yahwulpa, Cleveland, Pimpama, Mudgeeraba, Kynnumboon, and Murwillumbah.

The entries are candid in their descriptions of people living remotely in rural Queensland, to whom his work to facilitate road making was essential, he was often made very welcome.

Whish rented a property on higher ground at 'Eildon Hill' mindful of the consequences of flooding, and supervised works on Kedron Brook Bridge, Sandgate Road and Bowen Bridge Road.

This diary continues from October 1875 through to 17 February 1876.

Whish's surveying which was primarily based at Ipswich took him to Samford, Pine Mountain, Tarampa, Samsonvale, and Yahmanto where there was much work on designing river and creek crossings. These include Lockyer's Creek Bridge, Wivenhoe and Kholo Bridges.

Whish traveled great distances by horse interspersed by trains from Brisbane to Ipswich. During the heat of December his youngest son became seriously ill and some of the family relocated to Deagon's Hotel, at Sandgate for several weeks to to allow him to recover.

Entries in this diary are from 18 February to 31 July 1876.

In February 1876 parts of Queensland received heavy rains which flooded many creeks and rivers. Whish inspected the levels of creek crossings at Wivenhoe, Spring and Lockyers Creeks, noting the unexpectedly high water levels. Much work was done assessing road and crossing requirements in the Ipswich area, as well as Gallanani Creek, near Esk, Cressbrook and Cabbage Tree Stations, Moondoolan, Sally Owens Plains (Marburg) and Rosewood.

Owen Jones, a civil engineer worked alongside Whish designing roads and railways, his son Inigo Owen Jones became a distinguished meterologist. Whish this year also reviewed the idea of building or buying a home.

This diary begins in August 1876 and continues through to 2 March 1877.

Whish continued his survey work, travelling by train to Bundamba and Ipswich and from his home in Eildon Hill. Whish replaced Chief Justice Sir James Cockle 1819-1895 as churchwarden at St Andrews Church, Lutwyche ; he was also a synodsman and diocesan councellor. The family attended the first Intercolonial Exhibition [Ekka] which was held at Bowen Park and visited many properties including Cambooya, Eton Vale and Yandilla ; he marked the location of beds of kunkur (limestone) at Emu Creek.

Entries in this diary cover 4 March to 30 September 1877

The Whish family attended Sir & Lady Cockle's ball held in the grounds of their home 'Oakwal' in Windsor ; enoyed the St Patrick's Day fireworks at Government House ; and farewelled 10 year old Jane (Joey) Cockle who returned to England in April. Whish was asked by Ipswich council members to report on a drainage issue in the town; and in May they attended the opening of Queensland Parliament.

With the help of Crown Ranger, John Ballenger and his crew, Whish assisted the settlers at Ma Ma Creek by authorising the clearing of a road through nearby scrub to Sandy Creek railway siding ; there is much discussion of the use of rangers verses surveyors by the department ; and in August he assists the Weinholts in moving into Goomburrah Station, near Warwick.

Of the many localities & properties he visited during this time were: Jimbour Station (Bell), Cumkillenbar Homestead (Moffatt), Highfields, Westbrook, Eton Vale (Scholefield), Irvingdale (Kent & Weinholt), Teviot Brook, Telemon, West Talgai, Tamborine, and Malungmavel Plantation at Pimpama

Entries in this diary cover 25 October 1877 to 28 February 1878

Whish is asked to survey Coochiemudlo Island for a suitable barge landing ; he negotiated for a promotion ; contruction began on his new home on land purchased at Windsor, which he has named Arwin Tel. Daughter Maude produced a holiday newsletter [Refer Item 77] ; they enjoyed a summer camp at Deep Water Point, Southport with the Roe and Box families. The family temporarily relocated to 'Sunnyside' near Bowen Bridge, while their home was under constuction and there celebrate Maude's 18th birthday.

Whish visited many properties to advise on proposed roads and bridges including: Kurrawah, Yandilla (Gore), Mount Kilcoy, Yabber, Manumbar Station (Mortimer), Widgee, Kilkivan diggings, Gigoomgan (Mant), Miva, Connondale, Eton Vale (Donkin), Umbiran Homestead (Hodgson), Southern Homestead (Tooth), East Talgai, Jondaryan, and Cecil Plains (Cory).

Entries in this diary cover 1 March - 30 June 1878

Much of the entries concern Annie Whish and their young son George who were both taken seriously ill with typhoid fever ; Annie spend time recuperating at Kingsholme House, Teneriffe and several of the children were cared for at Sandgate.

In June, Whish authorised a demonstration of the use of dynamite for the purpose of clearing land, on his property, at the time described as 'Captain Whish's paddock' on Bowen Bridge Road.

Although much of this time was spent in Brisbane due to Annie's illness, he visited the following properties: Dugandan, Coochin Coochin, Eton Vale (Donkin), Bromelton, Tamorrkum Station, Tabragalaba, Numinbar, as well as calling on Harry Delpratt at Tambourine.

Entries in this diary cover 1 July 1878 to 1 February 1879.

Whish has made friends of many of the well known families in the south of the colony including - McConnel, Archer, Box and Roe, with whom they gather socially on many occasions. He travelled to many properties - to the south - Tallebudgera, Mudgeerabah, Hellensvale and Beenleigh, taking an opportunity to demonstrate land clearing with dynamite to an interested party.

Later he visited properties on the Darling Downs; some of which were: Cumikillenbar Homestead (Moffatt), Rosalie Plains, Oakey, Heddington Hill, Glengallan Homestead, Killarney, Canning Downs (Hoffman) and before the end of the year travelled north to: Yandina, Noosa Heads, Gootchy, Bundaberg, and Gympie, stopping to inspect his horses at Durundur where they are being agisted.

In December the family group known as the Whirobo [Whish, Roe & Box] gathered for their annual holiday at Southport where they enjoyed camping, fishing and shell gathering.

Entries in this diary cover 1 February to 21 August 1878

Arthur Whish (1866-1925) now age 12 started at Brisbane Grammar School with his fathers' high hopes for success. Whish traveled to Oxley, Mundoolun Station (Collins), Cryna (Webb) and Tamborine, where he was agisting horses with Harry Delpratt, before making his way to Maryborough to inspect surveying work in the region.

Here he visited Yengari, Goochy, Tiaro, Gympie, Tewantin and Lake Cootharaba before returning via Bundaberg. He learnt of the death of Sir Maurice O'Connell (1812-1879)  President of the Queensland Legislative Council.

In June a large storm damaged many homes in Brisbane including his own, and in July, Reginald Roe proposed to Maud Whish and asked for his consent and that the wedding take place before Christmas.

Entries in this diary cover 24 August 1879 - 26 March 1880. Whish's surveying work took him to the Logan district, visiting Beenleigh, Tingalpa, Tabragalba, Mt Cotton, Moondoolan, Nindooinbah, Pimpana, Nerang and Coombabah. Included is detailed discussion of works on the Nerang Creek bridge, where men used diving suits to apply cement underwater, and he supervised the sinking of piles.

Maud and Reginald's wedding took place on 23 December, the reception was held at Whish's home 'Arwin Tel'; they later resided at Roe's home 'Winholme' in Wickham Terrace.

In January Whish fell from his horse and badly gashed his head, which he believed exacerbated an injury he had acquired in Roorkee, India, resulting in severe pain to one eye. Having recovered he returned to his work, visiting the Bon Accord Sawmill at Moggill before heading north to Tewantin and Gympie where he addressed a request by George Groundwater to survey a road near to Pie Creek Bridge.

Entries in this diary cover 27 March to 9 October 1880. During this time Whish's position as Inspector of Road Surveys was transferred to the newly formed Survey of Roads branch of the Department of Lands, retaining responsiblity for laying out roads on Crown Lands; and he worked closely with the Minister for Public Works and Mines, John Macrossan (1833-1891) reporting on the need for roads vs railroads.

Whish travelled to Oakey, Leyburn, Grandchester, Clifton, Coolmunda Station, McIntyre Brook, and Canning Creek. Later he travelled north to via SV Keilawarra, primarily to assess the MacKenzie Bridge at Gayndah which needed replacing.

In May the family celebrated with their friends Alexander 'Sandy' Archer (1828-1890)  and his wife Mary 'Minnie' (nee Mackenzie) on the occasion of their 9th wedding anniversary, at their home 'Arley' in Toowong ; and in June, Supreme Court Justice George Harding (1838-1895)  offered Whish a position as Judge's Associate, which he declined.

In September his daughter Maude and Reginald Roe had a baby girl, Maude Mary.

This diary begins on 10 October and continues to 21 December 1880. Whish notes many days of bad weather as he continues his survey work, visiting properties in the Blackall region; Stanley Creek; Obi Obi Creek; Villeneuve (Nichollson) and Mooloolah, relying on local settlers to show him the best tracks.

He makes the acquaintance of George Traill (1835-1916) of Landsborough, who joins him for several weeks. Whish introduces him to the '15 puzzle'; Traill shows him the Charlier method of shoeing horses.

While working in the Kilcoy region he is joined by Frank Nichollson (1843 -1898) from his Villeneuve property, as they surveyed roads for bullock drivers to bring down timber and goods to the wharf at Mooloolah. On this trip he gathered many ferns and palms for his garden in Brisbane.

He is saddend at the news of Harriet Raff's death; and the fatal shark attack which killed 12 year old Alexander Drury in the Brisbane River, near the Kangaroo Point Sawmills.

Whish is advised of moves to return the Roads branch to the Works Department at the end of the year.

This diary begins on 22 December 1880 and continues to 4 March 1881. The family takes its regular camping holiday to Southport after Christmas, enjoying the beach and sailing to Stradbroke Island. Reginald Roe has a mishap with his sailboat but is unhurt.

Whish engaged Donald Turner to assist with his work, although his brother Tom takes over when he becomes unwell. Whish visits Shailer's Flat, where he tries Mr Shailer's wine; they meet Mrs Tilly of Tamrookum Run near Knapps creek, who is recovering from a murderous attack with an axe by Patrick Reynolds; and spends some days at Harry Delpratt's property at Tamborine, swapping over and branding horses.

This diary begins on 5 March and continues to 17 September 1881. Whish and his team of surveyors visit many properties during this period including: Bon Accord Station (Simpson), Dalby; Jimbour (Bell), Jondaryan, Goomburra (Weinholt), Canningdowns (Macansh), Delaney's Creek, Ellensvale, Dugandan, Bandamba, Franklyn Vale (Percy Ricardo), Lockyer's Creek, Tarampa, Cressbrook (McConnel), Northbrook Station (Bolden), Wivenhoe, Mooloolah, Tewantin, Nunderie, Cootharaba, and Glenbarloom.

In April his daughter Ethel was badly injured after falling under a buggy which tipped while she was a passenger. Later in the year, during the visit of the royal brothers Prince Albert and Prince Geroge, the family attended a ball in their honour at Government House.

This diary begins 18 September 1881 and concludes 31 March 1882. Whish revisits a number of locations to resolve disputes over roads and compensation, often staying overnight with property owners. They include: Gootchie, Marodian Station, Antimony Mine at Gympie, Tewantin, Yandina, Mooloolah, Burpengary Creek, Pine Mountain, Woogaroo, Piimpama, Helensvale, Tamborine, Kholo, Laidley, and asseses the Gatton Bridge over the Lockyer which is in bad disrepair.

George Raff is keen for him to put forward the idea of 'coolie' labour; his daughter Maud has her second child, a son in October. Whish sponsors the newly arrived Lizzie Costello, a qualified midwife and obstetrician, who meets great resistance from the established male physicians of Brisbane. Whish is greatly moved by the sudden death of Sir Joshua Bell, who was the same age, 55; and he spends much time arranging for the well being of his horses, vital for his work.

This diary begins 1 April and concludes 31 October 1882. During this time Whish visited many familiar properties and was engaged in resolving disputes over roads, bridge surveys and placement. They included: Samsonvale; Dugundan, Kooralbyn, Fassifern, Franklyn Vale, Laidley, Grantham, and Northbrook.

His son-in-law Reginald Roe fell critically ill and recovered several months later. Whish spent several days with the Landsborough's near Caloundra while surveying in the area; and designed a plan for Cressbrook Creek Bridge for George Challinor. Many of the family attended the Citizens Ball held in honor of the Marquis of Normanby; and he was saddened at the news of the accidental death of Frederick John Cobb Wildash (1826-1882).

Entries in this diary begin 1 November 1882 and conclude 12 June 1883. Whish surveyed a bridge over Emu Creek near Kilcoy, and visited: Redbank Dam, Maryvale Station, Canning Downs (Howell), Boomburrah, Leaning Apple Tree Station (Adam Moody) and Mt Irving. He recorded along the road to Maryvale Station most of the bridges were burnt or washed away; the bridge at Laidley was still in need of repair; and the Miva crossing of the Mary River was incorrectly constructed.

Ethel Whish received a proposal of marriage that her father dismissed as absurd; and he feared for his daughter Maud's health after a boating incident and a fall while heavily pregnant; happily she later gave birth to a healthy son.

Of note: Whish engaged another Islander boy (Harry) who had recently arrived aboard the schooner 'Emily' captained by Robert Pearn; the boy later absconded.

Entries in this diary begin 13 June and conclude 31 December 1883. During this period his surveying work took him to many locations including: Cressbrook Creek, Downfall Creek [now Chermside], Little Oakey Creek (Dalton), Perserverance Creek, Ma Ma Creek, Little Liverpool Range, Franklyn Vale (Charles Mort), Walloon, Rosewood, Northbrook Creek, Tamrookum (Robert Collins), Bundamba, Samsonvale (G Farrow).

He was called into assess an area of Victoria Park, Herston; and while camped at One Eye Waterhole he noted there were also many Aboriginals camped there. [Milbong or One-eye Waterhole was known to the Ugarapul people].

Miss (Dr) Costello was appointed Superindentant of the Childrens Hospital; many of his family members contracted measles. Other events recorded include: the loss of his daughter Maude's 3 horses, which were eventually recovered months later in Coomera and Tambourine; Whish was thrown from his cart, landing badly; his son Irwin was knocked of his pony after a dog lunged at it; and the family spent Christmas at Sandgate and New Years eve aboard the 'Mavis' with the Hales.

This diary begins on 1 January and concludes 18 June 1884. Whish started the year with a family picnic on the Brisbane River; his surveying work took him to many familiar locations, and required diplomatic resolution of disputes over roads that did not serve the property owners interests.

These locations included: Scrubby Creek, Biggars Creek, Coombabah, Lodders Creek, Tamrookum (Collins), Bromelton, Undullah (Elliott), Peak Mountain Station (Winks), Franklyn Vale, Crows Nest, Highfields (Peechey), Coochin Coochin (Bell), Warrill Creek (Craig), Plainby, Bowenville, and Goomburrah (Weinholt).

He commented on the state of the lagoon at Laidley that he had never seen it lower; he had the opportunity to discuss the question of 'black labour' with Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave; and his old horse Bruno died after becoming bogged in a waterhole.

Entrist in this diary begins 19 June and conclude 19 November 1884. During the second half of 1884 Whish undertook a three month assignment north to Rockhampton and the surrounding district. He sailed up the coast aboard SS Ranelagh, stopping at Maryborough and Bundaberg, and arrrived at Rockhampton 4 days later. Intending to stay at the Leichhardt Hotel he is invited to stay at Robert Stair Graham Macdonald's substantial property Balnagowan, near Port Curtis.

His surveying duties took him to many properties including: Fitzroy Vale (Berkman), Gracemere (Archer), Carrawal, Mulambin (James Ross), Taranganba (Robert Ross), Woodlands (Broome), and Bogantungun. Whish took the opportunity to visit the gold diggings at Mt Morgan and the copperfields of Clermont, returning to Brisbane with Macdonald's son Somerled who he arranged to attend Brisbane Grammar.

Entries for this diary begin 20 November 1884 and conclude 15 May 1885. Whish continued his surveying work, resolving disputes and visiting many properties and families previously known to him; he makes comment on how the children and properties have or have not prospered.

The localities include: the Glass House Mountains, Durundur (Archer), Mount Brisbane (Bowman), Northbrook, Cressbrook, Lockyers Creek, Lowood, Samford, Caboolture (Landsborough), Undullah (Elliott) and the Albert River and Logan districts.

Edward Deshon advised Whish they wish to employ him under the new Land Act; Willliam Jardine Parkes (1862-1937) seeks permission to marry his daughter Ethel Augusta Whish (1862-1934) which he grants.

Entries for this diary begin 16 May 1885 and conclude 25 January 1886. Whish was much occupied with duties in Brisbane and family activities. His daughter Edith made her debut, they dined several times at Government House and one of his grandchildren was christened. He noted the death of Lady Palmer; a large warehouse fire in Mary Street which destroyed £100,000 worth of liquor; he wrote to the editor of the Brisbane Courier on the subject of the Chapel at Bishopsbourne; and was a member of the committee for the 7th Synod of the Brisbane Diocese which took place in November.

Reginald (Rej) Roe, headmaster Brisbane Grammar School erected a 'home' on land purchased on South Stradbroke Island which in later years became known as 'Roes Kamp' where he and his wife Maude took groups of children to enjoy the activities available there.

Survey work took Whish to familiar properties including: Upper North Pine (Rospigaroff), Gowrie, Canning Downs, Heddington Hill (Davenport); Samsonvale, Waraba Creek, Neerum Creek, Moondoolan (Delpratt); Tamrookum (Collins) and Kooralbyn (Haygarth).

Entries for this diary begin 28 January 1886 and conclude 13 October 1886. Whish continued with his many visits to properties close to Brisbane, surveying and attending to requests for access roadways. They include visits to Samson Vale, Villeneuve Saw Mill, Durundur, Mooloolah, Caboolture, Rosalie Plains, Fassifern, Kooralbyn, and Nerang.

The family had an Easter vacation on Stradbroke Island and he gave permission for his daughter Ethel and Jack (William Jardine Parkes) to marry. During the year he was also heavily involved in arranging for the design and building of new facilities for the Bishop.

This diary begins 14 October 1886 and continues through to 16 April 1887. The Whish family prepared for the wedding of Ethel Whish and Jack (William Jardine Parkes) in October, which many of their friends attended.

Whish continues his work surveying roads travelling to the following areas: Terror Creek, North Pine, Fassifern, Spicers Peak, Coochin Coochin and Franklyn Vale areas. In April several family members holiday during Easter on Stradbroke Island.

Entries in this diary commence 17 April 1887 and continue to 5 November 1887. Whish remained in Brisbane attending to his duties as surveyor, attending church meetings and reviewing parish boundaries and electorates. His daughter Ethel gave birth to her first child Claude Jardine Parker in July, and Maude to her third child Edward Heber Roe in August. The family celebrated a double christening in October.

Entries in this diary commence 5 November 1887 and end 31 May 1888.
During this time Whish works primarily in Brisbane, drafting a submission for an assistant inspector and several draftsmen; he assessed land suitable for the Church to purchase, and made preparations for the family's annual holiday at Camp Stradbdroke. Their holiday which lasted 4 weeks saw a number of friends and families join them. Whish celebrated his own birthday there on the 5th January. Later in the year he visited several properties including Warra on the western downs where he inspected the construction of a bridge over the Condamine River; as well as Dungandan, Maroon, Rathdownie, Coochin Coochin and Fassifern.

This is the final Whish diary held by State Library of Queensland. The diary begins 13 February 1889 at Franklyn Vale and records his daily activities for the year. He describes in detail the weather conditions; working from his home 'Arwin Tel' in Brisbane, visiting Durundur, Jimboomba, Tamrookum, Etonvale, Samsonvale, Caloundra, Kilcoy, and Crows Nest. The diary ends on 15 October 1889.

Whish and his wife Annie perished in February 1890 when RMS Quetta [ship] foundered in the Torres Strait, enroute to Thursday Island.

Handwritten transcript of Claudius Whish's diary of 1862 which describes their voyage to Australia aboard the 'Young Australia'.

Diary kept by one of the daughters of Claudius Whish for the time spent during 'Christmas holidays at Morayfield' beginning 27 December 1876 and ending 19 January 1877.

Diary kept by one of the daughters of Claudius Whish entitled “Our Xmas at Southport” 1877 beginning 7 January 1877 and ending 23 January 1877.

This diary which begins 20 December 1878 and ends 7 July 1879 was written by one of the Whish daughters, most likely to have been the eldest Annie Maude Whish (1860-1928) who later married Reginald Heber Roe (1850-1926).

This manuscript was devised by Claudius Whish's grand-daughter Mollie (Maude) Roe, and was written as a commentary on the diaries of her grandfather, and includes transcriptions and comments on her grandfather as she knew him.

The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church According to the Use of the Church of England. A leather bound bible presented to Eva (Mary Evelyn) Whish by her godmother and aunt Charlotte Buchanan Ker, 17 March 1880.

Several pages have been annotated; one lists family members and when they died; page 12 of the Order for Morning Prayer, has a lock of golden hair. The spine of the book is damaged, some pages are loose.

Mary Evelyn (Eva) Whish, 1861-1921

Charlotte Buchanan Ker, 1805-1825

Painted reproduction – man in military dress with sword, likely to be a representation of Claudius Buchanan Whish.

Door plaque – embossed “Clerks Room” from the ship ‘Quetta’. This item is a souvenired brass plaque mounted on a piece of polished silky-oak. The plaque was supposedly salvaged from the ship wreck after being submerged for 17 years. It is accompanied by a newspaper clipping.

RMS Quetta was a British-India Steam Navigation Company liner that travelled between England, India and the Far East. The Quetta was specifically built for the Australia run, with refrigeration capacity for the frozen meat trade. The ship was launched in March 1881 and made her first voyage to Brisbane in 1883. 

On the night of 28 February 1890 the ship's master Captain Sanders, with Captain Keatinge aboard piloting the ship through the Torres Strait, destined for Thursday Island, the ship struck an uncharted rock in the middle of the channel near Albany Island.

The Quetta sank in 5 minutes, 134 of her passengers died, including Claudius Buchanan Whish and his wife Annie. At the time, Quetta's loss was thought to be the worst maritime disaster of Queensland.

Certificate of appointment for Claudius Buchanan Whish, Cornet for the 14th Regiment of Light Dragoons, Bombay. Cornet was originally the lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop; the modern equivalent being a second lieutenant.

The Regiment of Light Dragoons was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, raised in 1715. It first saw service in India in 1841 and was involved in operations such as the 1845 during the First Anglo-Sick War; the Battle of Ramnagar in 1848, the Battle of Gujrat in 1849 and the Anglo-Persian [Iran] war in 1857.

Returning to India in May 1857, the regiment took part in the Central Indian campaign and the latter stages of the Indian Rebellion; the regiment was ordered home in February 1860. The title of the regiment was simplified in 1861 to the 14th (King's) Hussars.

Certificate of Commission, to Claudius Buchanan Whish, to be Lieutenant for the 14th Regiment of Light Dragoons, Bombay.

Certificate of training & letters of recommendation (handwritten copies) relating to the service and activities of Claudius Buchanan Whish.

Extracts of Letters and Recommendations for Decorations for conduct in the Battle of Khooshab [Khushab].

Refer to Whish's diary of 1857 for his entries describing his participation in this operation.

Hand-copied extract of a letter from Brigadier General John Jacob (1812-1858) to Sir James Outram (1803-1863)

Certificate of appointment to the Legislative Council Queensland; envelope.

Photographic reproduction of item which details “Proposed Grant to Captain Whish”. Copies of Legislative Council Papers, regarding a proposed Grant to Captain Whish - under the Crown Lands Sale Bill.

Letter written to Miss Ker from Frederic Shield, London thanking her for sending her own copy of a literary work.

Letter written to Miss Ker from Frederic Shield, London who is forwarding her a copy of one of his own literary works.

Letter to Mr Roe from David Garland, Holy Trinity Rectory, South Brisbane, offering his congratulations for preparing Scripture Lesson books.

Letter to Mr Roe from Francis W. Padwick, Horsham, England regarding his son Claude who has been staying and is described as an enthusiastic worker.

Included are photocopied notes regarding the Padwick family, https://www.photohistory-sussex.co.uk/HorshamphotgrsLL-P.htm

Memorial card featuring a picture of the plaque inside St Andrew's Anglican Church, Lutwyche, to the lives of Captain Claudius Whish and his wife Annie, who lost their lives at the wreck of RMS Quetta, in the Torres Straits. Captain Whish was known to be an early benefactor of the church.

Letter to Mr Whish from Thomas Whish, 3rd Officer, SS Neumark, Wellington, New Zealand, who writes wondering if they are related.

Letter to Mrs Roe, from E S Jackson, Glen Olive, Toowong, who shares an article on Australian Pioneers, which mentions the Roe and Whish families.

Notes relating to Whish family genealogy.

Newspaper clippings (3) two relating to the ship Young Australia which sank in Moreton Bay in 1872; one relating to the retirement of George Irwin Whish in 1933.

Article from the Brisbane Grammar School Magazine relating to the news of the death of Mrs R H Roe, daughter of Claudius Whish and wife of the late headmaster Reginald Heber Roe. Annie Maude Whish, 1860-1928

Newspaper article published in The Evening Observer Brisbane, 3 March 1890."Wreck of RMS Quetta", which is very fragile. A photocopy is included. The article can also be viewed at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3512322

Scrapbook maintained by the Roe family which contains items that date from 1876, on subjects such as Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane 1893 flood, geology, education, sociology, literature, Major Charles Mullins, Reginald Roe and others.

Scrapbook maintained by Claudius Whish in which he has recorded copies of letters to the editor of the Courier Mail on the subject of Polynesian labour, and printed copies of the same; letters of condolence on the death of Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave, and the appointment of an assistant Bishop for the Diocese of Brisbane.

• Playscript “The Good Idea” The first scene begins : "A comfortable sitting room at night. Four middle-aged women finishing a game of bridge, Anne (hostess) & Margery playing against Susan & Daphne (handwritten – 20 pages)
• Poem "The perfect hostess" by A.M. Roe (1 page)
• Manuscript "And that was all right" (handwritten, 11 pages)
• Notebook pages (blank) and backing with blue drawing

• Manuscript entitled “How the poppy was made” (2 pages)
• Music score “Oh the merry days”
• One stanza which begins “Build him no mockery of stone” Essex Evans
• Manuscript entitled "Written for an evening at the Pioneer Club", in 1901 (1 page)
• Poem entitled “A Parting Ode” written on the eve of departure of Mr C.W. Roe, by C.L.E. 21 April 1925

Typescript relating the story of “The Wreck of the ‘Quetta’. The narrative appears to be excerpts taken from newspaper reports published in the newspapers of the day.

• Manuscript which begins “There was a Young man who was very blue” (6 pages)
• Loose pages of a manuscript entitled “O’Roukes Folly” (11 pages)
• Loose pages of a manuscript entitled “The Fire Bug” (10 pages)
• Loose pages of a manuscript entitled “The Old House” (5 pages)
• Loose pages (85 and 86) of a typescript story which begins "preserved from the nightmare trip that was in store for me"

Family 'newsletter' entitled “The Monthly Number of the Pickwick Club” containing stories, poems and items of interest relating to holidays taken by the families Box, Roe and Whish – 4 issues, Feb., Mar., Apr., and May.

6 pages of poems: "Farewell to our home"; "I was on the fair Broadwater"; "Where is now the merry party?"; "Will any fellow come to bed?"; "As swift as the Emma".

• Loose pages of a manuscript which begins “Rather an alluring advertisement folder came from England" (9 pages)
• Loose pages of a manuscript which beings “The Atmosphere of the breakfast table chilled by several degrees" (38 pages)
• Loose pages – “It may be that Other People are More Fortunate…” (2 pages)
• Loose pages 13, 14 and 15 of a story.

Literary manuscripts:

• “Behaviour” (28 pages)
• “I can see very clearly why it is that the Committee…” (3 pages)
• “It was Decided by the Community that…” (2 pages)
• “Strength” (6 pages) 
• “The Other Day, Chance in the Shape of a Desire…” (2 pages)
• “This Freedom” (7 pages)
•  3 pages of an ant story 10, 11, 12 which begins “In the course of trying to…”

Literary manuscripts:

• "Mrs Whish loquitor ... on hearing from the cutter" (2 pages) 
• "How we tried to reach the Coomera Ferry" (1 sheet) 
• "Song, on board the Emma" 18 January 1879 (1 sheet) 
• "Lay of the cutter lunching out party" (2 sheets)

Exercise book – “Whirobo Songs”. Whirobo was a made up name of the three families Whish, Roe and Box who holidayed together.

Minutes – “Australian Round Table Organisation" – Minutes of conference of Groups (7 pages)

Publication – “Indian Studies No 1” & "Indian Studies No 2" (presented with the compliments of the Secretary, Queensland Round Table Group”.)

Letter to the Librarian (State Library of Queensland) from Frederick W Robinson which includes a list of the Whish/Roe papers.
Note: not all items on the list were received.