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* Contents derived from the Darwin,Darwin area,Northern Territory,:Northern Territory Library Service,1990 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Young Elsie writes excitedly to her parents, who were spending time in Darwin away from the family farm, about having a letter published, and about Christmas preparations, cooking and the daily happenings at home on the farm.
Note: Poem is incorrectly listed as appearing in Northern Territory Times and Gazette on 1 February, 1924. Correct date of publication in newspaper is 29 January, 1924.
Little Bush Maid describes the joy the wet season brings to cattlemen, and informs readers that she and her family will soon be taking a trip into the 'heart' of Australia.
(p. 5-6)
Untitledi"I am travelling down the O. T. Line and I'm a drover's hand",Elsie Bohning,
single work poetry extract
(p. 6)
While Little Bush Maid and her father stay at the station of a family friend during a cattle drive, she takes a great interest in the water resources of the area and how they are located.
Little Bush Maid informs readers of the exploration for artesian water currently being conducted on her family's property. She also deplores the situation which sees private ownership of bores along stock routes, and struggling cattlemen being forced to pay for water for their stock.
(p. 12-13)
The Racei"We saddled up to have a race",Elsie Bohning,
single work poetry humour
(p. 14)
Little Bush Maid discusses the disappointment of workers striking salt water when digging a bore, but also their folly in continuing to persevere in the hope of finding fresh water. A more pleasant subject for her is the anticipation of having company join the family at the station for Christmas.
Little Bush Maid protests against claims made by a southern politician, Birtles, that Aborigines in the Northern Territory are starving, particularly during the wet season, as she describes the abundance that the wet season brings forth from the land.
'Today should be a red letter day', claims Little Bush Maid, 'a new era is dawning, Motor transport for the N. T.' , and she predicts that about ten years hence, camels will be valueless as motor transport will supersede them.
Little Bush Maid relates some of the reasons why she delights in bush life, and also informs readers of the recent weather and its effects at the homestead.