["The Koombana", The West Australian, Friday 29 March 1912, page 7]
...
REPAIRING THE TRAMLINES.
Some of the survivors from wrecks at Balla Balla (says a Roebourne wire) arrived at Cossack on Wednesday, amongst them being Harry Thompson, Nagel, Love, and Graham, who were previously reported as missing. Full particulars are unobtainable as to who is really missing owing to the telegraph line to Whim Creek not working properly. The Roebourne postal authorities acted promptly in sending men out to effect repairs, but apparently the flood waters have retarded progress. The tramlines at Balla Balla are being repaired, but unless a sufficient number of men are put on it will be many weeks before they will be available. The line from Roebourne to Cossack is being proceeded with in face of the obvious fact that in the last half-mile at the Cossack end all the sleepers are rotten and will not stand dog-spikes being driven into them. Had the Point Sampson branch been done it would have been temporarily fixed in 14 days, with sufficient men, and ships could have discharged one hatch at the jetty. A lighter could be worked at the others. Under the proposed idea the goods will cost 31s. a ton extra for carriage by lighter to Cossack and road to Roebourne. No sleepers are in stock to replace the decayed ones, and men are being refused work daily. At present only 11 men are repairing where there should be 50.
