L.M. Tongs Radio Electricial business - Finley N.S.W. early 1950s

Tongs Street: Dates its association with the district back to 1892 when Tuppal Station made available a large tract of agricultural land for lease with the option of purchase. The scheme attracted a large number of Tasmanian Farmers, including the Tongs brothers Victor, Allan and Frank. ('Looking Back on Finley' Norman McAllister 1978).

50 YEARS AGO AND NOW
The Advocate - Thursday December 31, 1942
Mr. A. L. Tongs, who left Tasmania in his younger days, and has resided in New South Wales for almost half a century, recently wrote to one of his old friends, Mr. Geo. Ellis, of Ulverstone. He says:
"Within a few days, it will be 50 years since I packed up my bundle and sailed away in the good ship Pateena for this, then, almost unknown portion of Australia; young, and full of ambition, vigor, enterprise, capable of standing up to any amount of hardships or toil. We left Ulverstone early in September and in due course arrived in Melbourne. It was called a good trip, but myself and two mates were never intended for 'men of the sea.' A few days after arriving in Melbourne, we took train on a rather long journey for the little known portion of the Riverina, arriving after 12 hours' journey at the banks of that magnificent river, the Murray, wide, broad, immense in a spring flood, half a mile in width and 800 miles from spring to gulf. The only way of crossing this great river was by an old punt long since relegated to the scrap heap, but it served its purpose, for most of the crossings at that time were made in this manner. A double winch and two inch and a half wire ropes guided the punt. It was all a novelty to us. The occupants of the punt were several adults or jackey-jackies, several vehicles and a 22-bullock team and wagon load of 80 bales of wool. The driver of the team is still a distant resident, and still capable of getting the best out of the huge Queensland teams.
"After half an hour winding our turn at the which, we were safely landed in New South Wales, but had a further 20 miles to pad the hoof, with a very limited purse. Three very hungry men and a tarpaulin muster provided only 1/6- meal for three hungry men, before we commenced our further trek. Yes a truly lovely sight. Feed and wild flowers in abundance, trefoil and white clover a foot high waving in the breeze. How often have I thought of this scene in after years, when stock on the same station were dying of hunger and thirst. But on that morning it was truly 'God's own country.' There were kangaroos, emus, scrub wallabies in hundreds , an occasional :flocks of. wild turkeys and ducks. On our 20 mile walk we crossed only two fences, dividing the station properties
"At last we came to our journey's end - the famous old hotel where Ned Kelly is said to have camped for several days prior to the Jerilderie bank robbery. The remnants of this old place still remain, and until a few years ago it was still a wayside hostel where old-timers met over a glass of good brew, talked over its bygone history.
"My first job was on a sheep station where 190,000 sheep were being shorn it was a great sight. The sheep were in great condition and the cattle from the river country were so fat they could not travel. I have never seen stock quite so fat, not even in the Melbourne and Sydney shows.
"But the years have rolled by. The grand old Murray still flows lazily along; still has its flood. The old punt has long since vanished, and lives only in the memory of old-time settlers. A magnificent iron bridge now connects the two States. Border restrictions no longer exist, and puffing billy, the first engine to make the crossing, is very nearly forgotten.
TIME'S CHANGES.
"Everything now is modern and new. A 'total war' has revolutionised the whole world, and we in this remote part of Australia have come under its spell. The old cricket ground where I spent many happy hours, and had many successes, and, of course, failures, is now covered with extensive workshops, blast furnaces, factories, gigantic tractors, excavators, electric welders, homes for mechanics, technicians, engineers, officers, pilots, etc., truly a hive of industry sprung up almost in mushroom fashion in a few months. No more kangaroos, wallabies or jackey-jackies, 'him gone bush long ago.' on their old-time playground is erected huge hangars. There are hundreds of trucks, capable of hauling immense loads, evil-looking machines, gun carriers and railway lines. Everything is on a decisive -war footing. There is accommodation for our, swanky cousins who have come thousands of miles to help us complete this truly gigantic job and who are doing everything in a truly businesslike way
"I go down almost every week not now to play cricket, for I too am long since a 'has been,' a relic of the past but just capable of a small part it this great reformation. It may be that it will produce a better world and men may awake to the hideous folly of tearing each other to pieces.
"With all our science and knowledge, -we are still on the same plane as a thousand years ago. We did our best 25 years ago, but all was wasted, and the blood of a million men was spilled for nought. I look pensively and longingly at the old Murray where I have spent so many happy hours. Its waters are not allowed to roam at their own sweet will now, but are harnessed no in huge reservoirs. But it is still the great, wide Murray, an emblem of greatness and grandeur, the same as 50 years ago.
"There is a great commotion on the, 'drome to-day, the fourth for the day; not old puffing Billy, but 'double head -with thirty 40 ton trucks, besides carriages, steaming out and away north from the busy 'drome centre. There are thousands of khaki-clad enthusiastic soldiers. Are they downhearted? No! These are men, and sons of the men that scaled the heights of Badajoz; that beat back Napoleon's hordes at Corunna; that formed the solid square at Waterloo; that pierced the Hinden-line, 25 years ago, all still fresh, very fresh, in our memory.
"Are you in Tassie downhearted! No! Be of good 'cheer. If too old to fight, help find the money for guns, planes, munitions, etc. There is no yellow streak in our make-up. In the south, east, west, north and centre everybody is on parade, well equipped, 'Somewhere in Australia'"

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