Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 29 July 1896, page 3


"BRICKFIELDER."

We have received some communications from correspondents in answer to one inquiry by Professor Morris, of Melbourne University, in his letter to the Herald of Tuesday about the words "brickfielder" and "bromby" Mr. Robert C. Gilmour explains that in Adelaide, as at one time in Sydney, the word

"brickfielder" was applied to a violent wind, which may be hot as in Adelaide or cool as in Sydney, but which blows to the city from the districts where bricks are made, and accordingly brings with it quantities of dust, whence its name. Mr Love-grove writes as follows:—"Mr Morris may treat this word as extinct owing to the improvements in Sydney. When I arrived in 1852 the word was applied to the southerly-burster, hot or cold, which, sweeping down the grassless slope about Brickfield Hill, became charged with yellow dust, and being further added to in its course along unpaved and irregular George-street and Pitt-street, reached the Circular Quay as a blinding yellow storm equal to a London fog, plus wind and clay and sand. A fine vessel lying out in the stream, midway between Dawes Point and Milson's Point, had just employed her crew in repainting the ship from truck to water-line. She was completely spoilt by the 'brick-fielder,' and the captain informed me he would never try to paint again in Sydney Harbour. Brickfield Hill is now covered with houses and the streets are

paved, including the footpaths, hence the disappear-

ance of 'brickfielders.'"