2011 - Theses - Flinders University

proceeds? Have you? Did you? Why? I stiffen in my chair, reading the letter, all at sea. Inever expected this.Maynard’s Well, December 2007I feel so tired for Jim. The correspondence between himself and Chief Protector McLean goesback and forth, but neither seems to believe in it. McLean thinks Jim’s sketch has thewindmill in the wrong position and won’t release the funds. 170 Jim remains polite in hisdetailing of the tragically familiar progress on their ‘new well’:The natives have sunk down another well to depth 35 ft with good indications of water.They have undertaken it on their own, but have been unable to continue through lack ofsupplies…The site has been divined and various ones have suggested it is a good site. 171McLean has the grace to inquire what supplies might be necessary, and Jim replies that theywould need to employ four men on the well, or alternatively engage Prices Well Borers ofPeterborough who just happen to be in the district. 172 McLean does neither: he agrees to sendextra rations for the ‘four men’. And because Jim has neglected to say if he needs detonators,and the grade of gelignite, the Chief Protector prompts him to do so. 173I wish it could have been a little easier.Nepabunna October, 1935Jim sits outside his hut, leaning back on its walls still warm from the days heat. He is lookingout across the cleared flat which looks blue and silver in so much star light. He listens to thesounds of singing and clapping in the night beyond the camp. The lick of golden campfiresmarks the ceremony ground that is so plain in the daylight, and the smoke curls a slow dancebefore disappearing into the still air of the heavens.113