| Retrospect
Obviously an account Such as this describing events which occurred more than 30 years ago depends a great deal on memories refreshed by the diaries and correspondence which have survived various well-meaning but short-sighted attempts at "getting rid of the rubbish" usually associated with moves to new offices. The importance of these documents is not generally appreciated. Fortunately I managed to rescue my diaries and letter books which explains in part the unavoidable emphasis in this narrative on the activities of the field parties I worked with. In this regard there is much good advice, which could well be included in instructions to young surveyors, contained in a rare book by Ortelius printed 400 years ago in 1584: References Christian, C.S. et al. "Survey of the Barkly Region Northern Territory and Queensland, 1947-48", Land Research Series No. 3 CSIRO Melbourne 1954. Division of National Mapping. "Training Notes - Natmap" c 1970 'Observations for Latitude and Longitude - Rimington's Method', 'Sigma Octantis Azimuth Determination - Graphical Method'. Ford, R.A. "The Division of National Mapping's Part in the Geodetic Survey of Australia", The Australian Surveyor, 1979, Vol. 29, Nos. 6, 7 and B. Hocking, D.R. Field Work Diaries and Reports, 1948-52, unpublished. Manifold, John. "Selected Verse", Dennis Dobson, London, 1948. Rimington, G.R.L. "Latitude and Longitude Determinations", The Australian Surveyor, 1 June 1944, Vol. 10, No. 2. Squires, P. "Survey Heights by Barometer", Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Division of Radio Physics, 21 July, 1947. Vincent, D. "Mosquito Monograph", David Vincent, Adelaide 1982. War Office. "The Text Book of Field Astronomy", HMSO, London, 1958. |
"If in our perigrinations and travels, we shall observe and note in our tables, or papers, those things which doo occure and seeme worthie of regard, we shall make our journies and voyages in great measure pleasant and delectable unto us: not thinking that our diligence can search and mark anything in any place, which other men before us have not seene, but to discourse and recorde any thing, rather than to passe the way, and spend the time in idleness: and with all by this means, this commoditie is reaped, that whatsoever the eye seeth, is the easier and the better remembered, if it be once written. And when the time commeth, that we make an ende of our travels, and personall view of forren parts, it will be a singular pleasure unto us, whensover we are so disposed to recognize, and recount those things which we have seen, quietly in our chambers, without any trouble of journie or toile of bodie." (My emphasis!) |