Roughnecks, Rolling Stones & Rouseabouts

The author, John A Lee, was a broadcaster on radio in the 1930s, when he hosted a radio show about the old days of swagmen - itinerant labourers, or men seeking their fortune, or men who just lived to travel. Gold miners, farm workers, travelling salesmen, travelling performers.

Lee has divided his book in to three sections. The first is Roughnecks, subtitled ‘or Working Class Athletes', which is a good description for the hardworking itinerant labourers. In this section Lee is discussing generally the way of life for swaggers in the late 19th and early 20th century. Men from various parts of Britain, some from Australia, a few from further afield. There are some recurring characters, but less so than the following section.

Section two is titled Rolling Stones, with the subtitle ‘A Few of the Legendary'. In the short chapters Lee talks about some of the men he has met, but more he quotes from the hundreds of letters that were sent to him by listeners of his radio show, and their stories about various characters they knew. It is interesting that so many characters were described by multiple sources, giving legitimacy to many of the tales.

Section three is titled Rouseabouts subtitled ‘A Miscellany of Tall Tales', where Lee tells more stories of men, not all itinerant, workers and entertainers with stories perhaps hard to believe.

Throughout all three sections of this book Lee concentrates on the lovable rogues, the quick witted conmen, and the men who chanced their arm.

This is again one of those books which is valuable mostly for its preservation of stories and history than anything it contributes to life today. The men and their way of life explained in this book no longer exist, and probably no longer could exist. There was a similar culture of these men in Australia at the same time, and many of the pictures and engravings used in this book are from across the ditch, and used as references because local imagery was likely not available. From these men we gained characters in Barry Crump novels, and a lot of other characters authors have cooked up who survived on their wit, their ability to bludge a meal and to sleep out under the stars in their swag.

Thoroughly enjoyable to read, and a useful place to collect these stories.
4 Stars.

A few quotes to get a feel for the writing:
P81'The Shiner' was a wily character, well known in the South island.

One day while when walking with his swag he picked up a new chum who was nearly starving because he had not learnt how to ask for food. They arrived at a big house:‘That should be an easy place,' the Shiner advised. ‘Go and ask there.'‘A big house like that?' the new chum doubted.‘Well, I'm an old hand. I'll go.'The Shiner moved to the back door and knocked. No one came. he looked around. A game of tennis was in progress some distance from the house. Near the back door was one of those gauze-covered safes found at thousands of back doors in the days before electrification and refrigeration. Inside teh safe was a huge apple pie. The Shiner opened the safe, took the pie, and outside on the road shared the meal with the new chum. The Shiner did not believe in new chums as mates. He could get a feed anywhere but two of a kind might be too much for many small-farmer benefactors. The pie eaten, the Shiner wanted to be rid of the new chum.‘I got the pie. You take the dish back and thank the ladies.'His innocent mate took the dish back and thanked the tennis players who were returning from the game. The Shiner did not stop to inquire about the new chum's reception.

The Honourable John Burke O'Brien'

Arrested once and charged with having no visible means of support, he questioned the constable.‘Constable, did I have a swag when arrested?'‘No, A small grip.'‘And what was in the grip?'‘A piece of German sausage.'‘And what have you done with it?'‘I threw it away.'‘But that was my stock in trade. I buy sausages and sell them by the ounce or pound.'‘Did the prisoner tell you this?' asked the magistrate.‘The sausage was unsalable, your Honour.'‘Did you check with the butcher where he says he bought the sausage?'‘No, sir.'‘Charge dismissed.'