Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/180

Rh board alone had he lived at an hotel. This he determined not to do. How was he to manage? Where could he go? He soon solved the problem, overcoming the difficulty in this way:—He purchased a quarter-of-an-acre allotment in a back street, which was swampy, heavily timbered; in fact a most inhospitable looking spot. On this he erected a one-roomed cottage, and in which he lived for several years. I did not make his acquaintance until he was leaving Hokitika, when I purchased his house and ground from him. When I went up to inspect it, I had a long chat with him. The cottage I found to be 10 ft.x 14 ft. Facing the street was a door, a window on each side. These were pasted over with newspapers, which served the place of blinds. On the left as you entered was a fireplace, which was full of pots and pans. Over the fireplace was an oil painting of some relative of his, and other pictures, extracts of newspapers, and—what struck me us strange—several pieces about misers. In the centre of the room was an apology for a bedstead. This he showed me; it was nothing but palings; no mattress, and very few blankets. Under the bed was a stock of potatoes and onions; at the right of the fireplace a large box containing a really valuable lot of books; under one window a small table, covered with odds and ends. Cords were stretched from one corner of the room to the other, on which were hanging coats, trousers, and all sorts of wearing apparel; close to the back door, an iron tub and a sponge; altogether as nice a litter as one could wish to see. He noticed me eyeing the place, and said, “It has never been cleaned out since I came here.” He then proceeded to give me his reason for living in this style. “When I arrived here,” he said, “I found everything so dear; no place for a young fellow to live but at a publichouse, so I resolved to get a place of my own. I had no friends, and was determined to live sparingly, and save sufficient money, so that if anything happened to me, I would have something to fall back upon. I built the house, fenced the ground, which I have trenched in places 10 or 12 ft. deep; cut down the trees, which have kept me in firewood. All my spare time has been spent on the ground. I worked at it from daylight till breakfast; then I changed my clothes and went to the bank. As soon as my duties for the day were over, I would buy sufficient meat for tea, and come home, changing my clothes, and to work again. If it was raining, I would not get wet by degrees, but take a header into the creek, then work away till dark. When I came in I would take off my wet clothes, have a sponge bath, and then have my tea. I knew no one, and went nowhere. I have been here for six years, have got the ground into the order in which you see it, and am very sorry to part with it. I have gained my point. I was determined to save £1000, and have done it. My living has not cost me on an average more than 7s. 6d. per week.” I was very much interested in this