January 25, 1918 Harvesting a Soldier's Crop. 70 ACRES HARVESTED FOR PTE. THOS. P. KNIGHT One would think that Old Sol was doing his bit in the interest of the absent soldier unable to harvest his own crop because of his absence of the most serious business of the Empire. Three working bees have been held lately, each in perfect weather. A better day then Tuesday for harvesting a wheat crop could not have been created--sunshine from beginning to end, so that the 16 harvesters which were set going in Private Thos. P. KNIGHT's two paddocks of wheat on the Eastern and Southern banks of a swamp on the property of the soldier's mother, Mrs K. BUFFHAM. Save that a few worn out parts of harvesters gave away--one machine was 15 years old--there was no hitch in beheading of the wheat stalks. And the little mechanical trouble that did occur was promptly righted by Mr DEAN, an expert from the Sunshine Works, who with Mr WHITE, motor expert for Messrs. HAGELTHORN and BOLTON, and a representative of the West Wimmera Mail, comprised the outsiders. Some of the teams had come from a distance of ten miles, and it must have been well into the night before they reached home. The working bee was organised by Mr Arthur RICHARDS, and though he had the unanimous support of those present, the completeness of the arrangements was highly creditable to him. The ladies of the district did their share splendidly by providing dinner and afternoon tea. Dinner and tea were served in the shade of an overhanging gum. There were a couple of after dinner speeches. Mr Arthur RICHARDS said he wished on behalf of Mrs BUFFHAM to heartily thank all present who had assisted in taking off her son's crop. The result far anticipated expectations, 16 harvesters taking part. They all regretted that occasion had arisen for the working bee, but Private KNIGHT had been unable to get harvest leave. It was a handsome effort for Mrs BUFFHAM, relieving her of much anxiety and expense. They could all appreciate Mrs BUFFHAM's feelings of gratitude, which words could not express. Farmers had left their own crops standing that day in order that the soldier's crop could be taken off. It was many years since a working bee was held at Gymbowen, but the spirit of the people was the same now as it was then. The number of bags was not known yet, but it was one of the best patches of wheat in the district. He again thanked the farmers of the Nurcoung and Gymbowen district for the splendid way in which they had rolled up to take off Private Knight's crop. Mr G.T. HAASE said he wished to thank the ladies for providing the dinner, and the tea which they would no doubt provide later on. There were no drones among the Gymbowen ladies. He hoped the representative of the West Wimmera Mail would make a note of that, (laughter). From the time some of the bees had taken over dinner he was sure they had done justice to it. He also desired to thank the visitors, particularly the representative of the Mail. Without the press they would not know what was doing. Mr DEAN (Sunshine expert), and Mr WHITE (representing the district agents) also deserved thanks for coming such a long way. The following supplied harvesters, the driver's name being given in parenthesis:-- Messrs. G.T HAASE (Bert HAASE), J.CRICK (owner), A.RICHARDS, 3 harvesters (G.RICHARDS, A.E. RICHARDS and Jas. BYRNE), Thos. BREEN (owner), J.BREEN (owner), T.COLYER and REDFORD (owners), J. SYPOTT (owner), F. WIDDECOMBE (owner), MUEGEL Bros. (A.E. MUEGEL), J.P. KNIGHT (owner), SHERIFF Bros. 2 harvesters (owners), E. REDFORD (J.SYPOTT), H.C. KNIGHT (owner). Waggons were supplied by the following:-- Messrs. MAYBERY Bros., W.H. McCANN, W.E. MAYBERY, W.H. KNIGHT, WORTHY Bros., T. KNIGHT, J. AMPT, W and ? TIERNEY. The following supplied manual labour:--- Arthur BROOKS, Jack BUFFHAM, E. MOLLOY, Jas. LOWE, John and Les LEAR, Fred MILLER, Luke SHELLEY, P. CRUSE, D. BUNWORTH, W. AMPT, N. LEWIS, Walter WHITE, Jas. SHERIFF snr, SHERIFF, H. SAMPEY and two boys, E. REDFORD, W. REDFORD, T. REDFORD, W.E. MAYBERY, E. HAASE, Wm. CRICK, Marsden and Willie WIDDECOMBE and BOLAND. Daryl Crabtree Gladstone Qld www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/