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Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16848, 31 May 1920, Page 10

A prosperous and well-to-do resident in one of the suburbs, who was shifting to a new house last week, was seen to be carrying a well-bumisned guni-spear to his new homfc (says the Aueklana "Star"). He was "barracked a good deal "by one of his friends whom he met, and asked if he had come down to that at last? "Let me tell you the history of that spear," he said and then you will understand why I keep it. When I came to New Zealand in 1890 the maritime strike was on, and things were very bad in this country. I could not pet "work, and soon had to sell a quantity of my personal belongings to pav for mv board. At length I was advised to go gum-digging, and for sis months I went away up to the northern ! gumfields. It was there I made the first j money that I earned in New Zealand. I The little pile I'made ut> North proved; to be tho forerunner of my present! prosperous carcer, and I would not part with my old gum spear for any money, for it was a good friend to me in my hour of need." Then he added, as a parting shot: "Many a man in the North has got his first start in life on! the gumfields after he had failed at many other things, but few are so can-! did as I am to confess it, not so much ■ in recent years as in the days of long, ago."