The Truth Perth – 30 March 1930, page 7
When the Law of the Outback is Swift and Ready
Another Nor’west Tragedy
It was practically suicide! He would never weather the dry, continuous sun storms. Day upon day the sun beat mercilessly down upon the waterless stretch, and night after night the moon shone with its creamy coolness from an utterly cloudless sky that was but a mockery of the day that had gone and the same dry, torrid day that was to come. He might get there, but if he did it would be more good fortune than good management. So, Manager Castles of Lambo Station, told Patrick Carney when the latter voiced his intention of making the trek from Lambo Station to Margaret River Station.
It was only a 36 mile trek, but the odds were against any man making it, and particularly against Carney, for he was reputed to be no bush traveller and not a good walker. It has the reputation, in the dry season, of being one of the driest and worst travelling stretches in the Kimberleys, and in December last, it was at its worst. But Carney was strong-headed. He had made up his mind to make the trip, and refused to accept Mr. Castles seasoned advice.
It was Carney’s death decision.
He perished, after a hopeless battle with thirst, on the mocking banks of a dry river. A few days later the weather broke. The sun that had killed Carney — and how many others — was beaten back by a thick bank of black clouds, and a storm came and brought with it seven inches of rain. It brought relief to thousands of cattle grazing in that area, and the hope of a prosperous season to roundabout station holders, but to Carney it brought nothing but a wet bed for his corpse. Was it one of Fate’s ironic tricks— that rain, deliciously cool and wet,
Dripping on to those black and swollen lips, and then dripping, un tasted, away again ?
Two days earlier Carney would have sold his soul for one sip of it. It was a month nearly before what was left of Carney was found and not before Constable Hamilton of Hall’s Creek and his search party had also suffered, certainly to some degree, some of the privations that accounted for the deceased. To find a man who was lost somewhere along a 36-mile stage, the police party found it necessary to cover approximately 400 miles. One has only to hark back to the search for the lost giant aeroplane last year to realise the difficulties of finding a lone man in that amazing country. Constable Hamilton, however, took his formidable task merely as a matter of course, and his report, in the form of a daily log, is a story of courage and privations told with the utmost simplicity. And because oi that simplicity it forms, in the reading of. it. an advertisement of inestimable value to the force to which he belongs.
Lost – English Illustrated Magazine 1892
Here is the journal written day by day; written each night by camp fire light after many weary hours in the saddle. Hamilton was stationed at Hall’s Creek, and the first entry is made immediately after the news had reached him that Carney was missing.
West Australian 16 January 1930, page 9
Jan. 4.—Took tracker Jack and proceeded to Lambo Station, where we arrived at 10 a.m. Mr. Castles, manager of Lambo, told me that natives had found a swag hanging in a tree near the road about 14 miles away. We found the swag, and identified it as Carney’s. Carney had left Lambo about December 17. His boots were found rolled up in the swag, and he had apparently proceeded wearing pair of Chinese slippers which he was known to have had with him. He had taken his water bag and billy can with him.
We proceeded to Margaret River Station, where the manager, Mr. J Egan, said Carney had not put in an appearance. Mr. Egan said he had not reached any of the soaks along the Margaret or Laura Rivers, for he had men camped, along there, and none of them had seen the missing traveller. Mr Castles told me he had strongly advised Carney against the trek, for it was a 36 mile stage and dry. He had, in fact asked him to stay on until he could get a lift for the 108 miles. (This last entry indicates the distance the constable travelled on the first day. A similar entry appears at the end of each day’s report.)
Jan. 5.—Conducted exhaustive search within a three mile radius of the spot where the swag was found but could find no tracks, 22 miles.
Jan. 6.—Recommenced searching at 6 a.m. with tracker, two natives, and Mr. Castles. No success. 27 miles.
Jan. 7.—Owing to water shortage, Mr. Castles had to take the boys with him and shift his cattle some distance to a soak. Tracker and I continued, and about 400 yards from the road crossing of the Laura River we saw where Carney had dug for water. The spot was quite dry, and he had obviously been unsuccessful. His footprints were now visible, 34 miles.
Jan. 8.—Started again at 6 a.m. Following tracks, found nothing else, 30 miles.
Jan. 9.—Today horses at end of their tether owing to scarcity of feed and water. Saddled up and went to Lambo to get fresh mounts. Had to return to Hall’s Creek. Heavy rain set in and delayed.
Jan. 21.—Started again with four horses and four mules. According to a report from Mr Egan, of Margaret River Station, natives had found Carney’s body, 22 miles.
Jan. 22.—Reached Lambo, 22 miles.
Jan. 23.—Mr. Castles was away today, so awaited his return to Lambo.
Jan. 24.—Went to junction of Lambo Creek and Margaret River. It is not far from here that the body is said to have been found, and we should come upon it tomorrow. 25 miles.
Jan. 25.—Found the body three miles down the river bank. It was in a very decomposed condition, but was easily identified. It was stripped of clothing We buried it close by, 23 miles.
Jan. 26.—To-night we are camped by the river. 24 miles.
Jan. 27.—Still trekking back. 24 miles. Jan. 28.—Started 6 a.m.. and arrived at Hall’s Creek Police Station at 2 p.m. with plant all in good condition. 24 miles.
That is’ Constable Hamilton’s story of the finding of the body of poor old Patrick Carney. It is a bare, official, uncoloured report. Although the journal contains no highlights, no mention of the hundreds of little extraneous and untoward incidents that must have happened during such a search in such country, the writer of it, with his lack, of wordy description, cannot hide the true value of the feat. It was excellent work even though it was every day duty.
It is good to know by this and other incidents that across the vastness of the State, that the great North-West is so efficiently policed. Those men in blue up there carry with them responsibilities, and invariably they see them through. And so, along the Margaret River bank near its junction with Lambo Creek there is a little new made mound of earth, and beneath lies Patrick Carney, aged 38, a station cook and a native of Glasgow, Scotland. It is said he has no relations here, but up North he has mourners in plenty, for he had a happy disposition and was popular roundabout. He died painfully. North of Capricorn thirst is a fatal malady. Sometimes a day without water is sufficient to send a victim mad, invariably two days without it means the end. Carney should never have attempted the trip. He died of thirst on a parched and hot river bank. Had he delayed his start for two days it was possible he would have drowned at the same spot. Such irony!
Patrick Kimberley CARNEY – died on about 17th December 1929, 3 miles North of the 18 Mile Yard of Margaret Station on the East back of the Margaret River. His remains were not found for almost a month. He was 38yrs old and was a stockman and a musterer’s cook. He was buried on the 25 Jan 1930 where he was found by Constable Hamilton (Reg 1601) and Frank Castles.
Moya Sharp
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Very sad for Mr Carney but it show cases the often unforgotten skill and determination of the policemen of that time. RIP Mr Carney.