THE "WOOL KING."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9052, 24 July 1917, Page 6

THE "WOOL KING."

INCOME OF £1000 A DAY

The action of Sir Samuel McCaughey in handing over £100,000 to bo used in insuring 500 soldiers, each for £200, has naturally directed public attention to one of Australia's wealthiest men, who is almost universally' known as the "Wool King." His income is said to bo £1000 per day. Tin's notable man came to Australia with nothing; but energy, shrewdness, and an enormous capacity for work, combined with a little luck, brought to him wealth beyand the dreams of avarice. His personality,/ his bluntness, and his detestation of all pomp and formality are the basis of many little stories about him. He came from a linen-weaving family in Ballymona, and it became a tradition, founded on his love for his native town, that no man from Ballymena— or who said he was from Ballymena— ever failed to find a job at North Yanco or Coonong. One day there camo a Chinaman looking for. work. "No ring-barking • for you, Charley," said -the rich squatter. "Me cuttcm burr," suggested Charley. , " No," said tho squatter. Charley tried othersuggestions, but with no result. Thon he said, desperately, " Me como Ballymena " —and Sir Richard laughed and gave him work. There is another story about a widow. (In parentheses, let it be said that the Wool King is a bachelor.) Sir Samuel has a passion for irrigation, and one day he .was showing a party over a countryside that his water, wealth, and good management had wonderfully transformed. The widow was lavish in her praises. " But,": said she, "there is one thing you lack, is there not ?" The desirable Sir Samuel acknowledged that there was. " And that is ?" pursued tho widow, greatly • encouraged. " More water," said Sir Samuel.

The example set by Sir Samuel McCaugh-ey in providing a fund for insuring soldiers who, owing to their responsibilities, would not otherwise have enlisted, looks as if it will be followed and develop into something very big. Information has been received already of other wealthy men who are about to "do likewise." <