New Words to Old Tunes. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 59

New Words to Old Tunes. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— When gold was discovered on Gabriel's Gully in 1861, thousands of gold diggers left Victoria for Oiago. On this account the rates of cartage fell very low, so I shipped my horses and drays by a sailing brig to Dunedin. For some time after my arrival m Otago cartage was fairly high. However, the succeeding wintpr was very severe, with prolonged intease frosts. It was horrible work for the poor hor?es, scrambling through the frozen mud in the low- country, especially along Lake Waihola. It was dangerous work driving over the frozen hills, especially as I never had a regular mate. Cartage did not rise in proportion to the increased labour and risk, and I was imdecided whether to stay or return to Victoria. However, when Hartley and Riley brought to Dunedin from the Dun-stan 871b of gold, I sent £50 to my wife, and asked her to come to Dunedin. Soon after her arrival I loaded my teams for Kingston, on Lake "VVakatipu, as I had entered into partnership in a store at Queenatown. After unloading, I drove to Invercargill, and -aa I decided to remain there, my wife rejoined me by steamer Titama. Whilst I was in Victoria I tried to buy a farm, but did not succeed through the land laws then existing. I have had lots of troubles, disappointments, and hardships, but it often cheered me to compose a poem connected with my experiences. The negro minstrel song "Oh, Susannah, don't you cry for me," was popular in Victoria. I liked the air, and composed these words to suit it. — I am, etc., Andw. Kinross. Invercargill, April 21. OH, MARY, DAKLIXG. Faiewell to thee, my own dear wife, from thee I now must part, That I must go so far away still gneves me to the heart, For 'in this fair Australian land I could not find a home, So far across a stormy sea by Fate I'm forced to roam. Chorus • Oh, Mary, darling, don't you cry for me, I am going to Otago, love, to get some gold for thee. Otago may be very cold, and hard may be my life, When travelling o'er the s.now-clacl hills 'mid elemental strife; But toil and hardships anywhere I am prepared to face, If I can only gain foi thee a pleasant resting place. I'll pi ay to Him v.ho made us al! my darling to protect, To think of thee by day and mght I nnver will neglect; If fortune <-hculd be kind to me, and 1 can gain a ho-ne. So happy I will be with thee, when I no more need loam.