AN IMMIGRANT'S EXPERIENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1494, 24 November 1874, Page 3

AN IMMIGRANT'S EXPERIENCE.

LUDICROUS INCIDENTS IN THE EARLY DAYS.

An old colonist furnishes us with the followtl experiences, for the edification of new chums--"In 1838, I left England tor ss-s, ag=3r £•£?= ::r--ts« the p-w-is

which, the draught of water not admitting of thes ship.crossing the bar, we had to proceed in the ship's boats to the landing a trench £ a?epm at tfce Wtom of W boat had been taken out, and the water poured m We had then the benefit of wet boots, and the dresses of the females were not improved. On landing it was too late to proceed to Adelaide; we had the pleasure of getting shelter without food, except what a few of us hrought on shore, with but little bedding. We were left entirely to our own resources to do the best we could. There is no doubt a few who can remember the old iron store at the foot of the sand hills and the pub. There wss no grumbling- we made light. o f our difficulties and inconveniences. The •nights passed merrily, the women and children having leen our first care. We provided them with a tea, with a little in it to qualify the water and eatables, faring as we best could afterward. The scant supply we could obtain of fire would cause some trouble, but all was done cheerfully and without any selfishness, only laughing at the mishaps and awkwardness of ourselves and others. Sleep for the male sex was out of the question. In the morning, several of us started for Adelaide. We were at least three hours on the road. Our first visit was to Tommy Gilbert, with whom a breakfast was a welcome offer — soup and bouilli, Williams' assistance was called into * requisition to despatch bullockdrays to bring up the luggage and children. Knowing there was plenty of help, I inspected Coromandel and Buffallo Bow, — shelters made with reeds and rushes -and luckily purchased a freehold hut for a fig of tobacco, which T improved as others had done. Orathe arrival of the dray, by puttins; a carpet over the thatch, sheeting on the inside, a table-cover for the door, rushes for the floor, on which was laid a hearth-rug, tben a mattrass ; my neighbours having supplied me with cooking utensils, wood for the cutting, I had a substantial meal ready for the wife and two children, who I can assure you, did full justice to it. There is no doubt many of those who arrived with me have gone long since to their last home. I of course had reported myself to Colonel Gawler the fiist day of arrival. Government House was partly, if I remember right, wattle and dab thatched, a very primitive affair, as was the Land Commissioner's and J. Hurtle Fisher's residence, an office to which I was attached ; and the Survey office. The chimney of Mr Fisher's (now !Sir James Hurtle Fisher) caught fire, which communicated to the thatch, and we were burnt out; and it was with some difficulty that; Fisher, who was ill, was got out. Mis Fisher was absent from home. There were a few buildings erected, mostly of wood interspersed with wattle and dab, mud, &c, tents and shanties, carpets, blankets, and sheets being brought into requisition. Our cooking was not done in large fireplaces, for we had none. We had to supply ourselves with wood and, water cither before or after office hours from the highest to the lowest, all were alike. You had to keep your eye on the pot with your dinner, or a stray dog or pig might appropriate it. My neighbour had a deep saucepan in which we had a leg of mutton (joiut interest by special order from Mr. Cook, tho butcher.) We thought it safe, but were alarmed by a great noise. On running out we saw a pig absconding with his head stuck fast in the pot, the hot water pouring out upon him. AYe got our leg of mutton, little if any the worse. All put up with the discomfort, accepting cheerfully our position, i^'gs, Is. each ; fowls, 10s. each ; salt butter, 2a. 6d. to 3d. Gd. Other things in proportion.