First heard this or version of this in Springsure Qld around 1968 when they were drilling in the area.
( Grandpa was awiting to hear the thud as it hit the bottom,,, there was no water in long drops.)
Granddad ran into the house and yelled quick mum "have you got tena (ten pound note for the young folk)."
"What the hell do you want a tena for"
"I'm going to thow it down the dunny you see when I was unbuckling my strides a quid not feel into the hole and there is noway I'm climbing down there for alousy quid note"
