Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/431

 Messrs. W. H. & W. Burford ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 405 Province. Mr. Burford landed on the South Australian shore in water up to his waist ; and when he had got his sick wife and children to dry ground, the family had to spend two days and nights in guarding their baggage on the beach. I^ventually they were conveyed to Emigration Square, Adelaide, where, to use Mr. Hurford's own words, they were " lodged in a rude wooden shanty, without a single article of convenience, and only IS. 6d. in cash to begin colonial life." But uneasy fears as to the wisdom of emigrating were useless. The die had been cast, and the sturdy colonist had to look about him for work. The outlook was certainly not promising ; for, with no capital, there seemed little opportunity of making a home and even a competence in an environment remote and unsettled ; but he was strong-hearted, and, with the eagerness of a sincere worker, felt equal to over- coming a great many obstacles. He obtained employment in a limekiln, and then he was engaged m e.xcavating a cellar in Hindley Street, Adelaide. In a few weeks the prospects of the willing colonist took a more promising turn. In a letter he sent to the Soitth Australian Record (published in London) of August 14, 1839, and written at Adelaide on January 15 of the same year, he expresses the brave opinion that life in .South Aus- tralia afforded a comfortable livelihood, which, with many e.xcellent oppor- tunities, would justify even a man with a young f;imily in leaving Flngland for "this highly-favored land." Then he refers to the progress of the Province, and .says " everybody is busy and has a smiling countenance expressive of sufficiency and satisfaction." MR. W.M. BUKFORl) I Adcnck. Photo After the cellar experience, Mr. Burford obtained employment as a painter and glazier, and at this work he earned about £2, per week. He .soon purcha.sed a piece; of town land for ^30, payable in weekly instalments ; and, being thrifty, he began to lay the foundation of that success which he won in later years. From the position of an employe he came to engage men on his own account at the ])ainting and glazing trade, paying them from los. to 14s. per day. It seemed that this undertaking would supply him with a permanent and remunerative avocation ; but an infant country is spasmodic in its progress, and the slightest difficulty will banefully affect the whole community. Mr. Burford's business ended with the crisis in the history of the Province caused by the Colonial Office in London