Hugh Capel's Australian History Pages: Nothing after 1901
Interesting Items/Snippets from Australia's Colonial Past

LAZY MANEROO SHEPHERDS

Sydney Mail, May 10, 1862

(Extract from "Men Who Have Been Raised" - sketches of politicians)

THOSE MANEROO SHEPHERDS Those Maneroo shepherds are about the laziest and crawlingest animals as I ever came across. They've got such fine, large, open plains to feed their sheep on, that they can stand on a hill top and see 'em feeding all day without moving a peg. Why, they won't so much as move when you ask 'em a question. I recollect once coming up to one of 'em, as was lying on the broad of his back, under the shade of one of the few trees as you'll find on the plains, and his straw hat over his eyes, and he a snoring like one o'clock. "Hullo! young feller," says I, "Which is the road to Harnett's?" Now what do you think he does? He doesn't say a word - doesn't so much as sit up and point, but he kicks out his left leg, as much as to say, "Over there!" Well, another time I was a coming across the plains, and a long way ahead of me I see a flock of sheep rounded up, but didn't see no shepherd, as he was planted away somewhere asleep. They must have been camped for some time, for I could see 'em breaking away, a few at a time, and making away round the point of a hill. As I came on, more and more broke away, until at last the whole lot had moved off and got away round the hill. Well, when I came up to where they'd been rounded up, what should I see but the shepherd planted away on the shady side of a ghiber (boulder), having a comfortable doze. The sound of my horse's feet woke him up, he lifted his head and looked all mazed like at not seeing his sheep, but he never got up, and as I reached him, says he to me, "I say, matey, did ye see e'er a flock of sheep as ye came along." Now if they ain't as fine morals of laziness as ever you came across, just tell me what's finer, that's all. But that ain't the reason as I mention the thing here; it's just because Bill Redman puts me in mind of the shepherd; not as he's lazy, not at all, for he ain't, for he'll go on talking for everlasting without ever seeming tired. But it's when he stops in the middle of one of his speeches, looks round the benches and sees nobody but Cowper (the Premier), Weekes and Forster in the house, and calls the Speaker's attention to the state of the House. It's then as he reminds me of the shepherd a asking, "Did you meet e're a flock o' sheep?" * * * And the members get away when he begins, just like the sheep breaking out o' the ring. First you see some of 'em sidle out of their places up to a seat near the door; then they slip out one or two at a time when they think as nobody's a looking at 'em. Then the old stagers will walk right bang out and make a bow to the Speaker as they go, as much as to say "Goodbye, old feller. Sorry to leave you, but I can't stand it, but you must and I pity you." Now I tell you that it is about one of the wearyingest things as I ever knowed, to sit down and listen to one of Bill Redman's (speeches). Such a lot o' rubbish of all kinds jumbled up together, I never came across in all my life. Poetry, flash sayings, bad jokes, attempts at fine language, dull anecdotes and false arguments are all bundled out one atop o' the other without any order until he has to go all round the country to get into the straight running again. And then the consequential way he does it is about the worst of all. Laying down the law, as pompous as a judge, with a pen or something or other in his hand which he points at the Speaker as much as to say, "There now, pay attention to this for I shan't say it no more!" And he pulls himself up and tip toes, till he fancies that his five foot four is seven foot at least, and that he's a giant of intellect. I think it takes him down a peg or two though, when he finds the members agoing out and leaving him all alone to talk to the Speaker and to the chaps in gownds at the table.... It's worth something to see Charley's (Cowper's) mug when Redman comes into the House, late in the evening, and after the members have been agetting on like a house on fire with the business. When he catches sight of him you can see his jaw drop, as he shrugs his shoulders as much to say, "It's all UP. No more work tonight.".... But law, it's hardly worth my telling people about Bill Redman and his long speeches, for everybody knows 'em by this time, as there ain't hardly a constituency in the country as he hasn't pretty well used up by a long speech. I recollect when he tried it on at Windsor and made a speech at the nomination, beginning at half past twelve and going on till half past six, when it got dark, and then says he, "After these preliminary remarks, I shall address myself to the various topics of the day, if some one will favour me with a candle." If there wasn't a cry of horror and despair sent up by the independent electors assembled, who not having votes, wanted to have something to do in the elections by holding up their hands for somebody. But they weren't so green as to bring him a light - my word, they saw through him clear enough without a candle..... What I wanted to do (by these sketches) was to show the jolly clever electors all over the country what everlasting donkeys they'd made of themselves, by letting themselves be bamboozled by a dodge into putting men into Parliament who weren't no more fitter for members than I am for riding a hurdle race, as I'm nearly sixty, and weigh sixteen stone. I've just pictered 'em as I see 'em, and I just ask the independent electors to look at the precious portraits and say whether they ain't jolly well ashamed of themselves. J. SMITH Congewoi, Lower Hawkesbury

Back to Top