CHAPTER XIII. PERSONAL NARRATIVE CONTINUED.
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CHAPTER XIII.
PERSONAL NARRATIVE CONTINUED.
TO return to my narrative. My sheep now began to increase and thrive well, and I succeeded in procuring a bull and cow; sent for some English grass seed and clover, choice flower and garden seeds of all sorts; after waiting a long time for them they came to hand. All my old cultivations I turned into a grass paddock, and in the month of April I sowed my wheat and grass; and, in the following March, my paddock produced fine grass seed--in England I never knew a grass field produce seed so soon after sowing. I had now a famous paddock of six acres. On each bare spot, as I passed through the Island, it was my custom to sow grass seed, so
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that the clearings soon became turfed with fine English grass, and the sheep and grass thrived together. I used to watch my little flock until they were as tame as dogs, and no stockholder could be prouder of his countless thousands than I was of my twenty pet ewes. Many of my pigs went wild in the bush, and became excellent ploughmen, rooting up the fern in all directions. Whenever an opportunity occurred I purchased more sheep and cattle. A good horse would have been valuable, but it was impossible to procure one in those days. It occurred to me, however, that a serviceable young bullock might be trained into a good hack; so I commenced breaking in a fine large calf; made a saddle and collar out of pig's skin, and the traces out of rope, and he soon became as docile as an Arab. When twelve months' old, my children could ride him anywhere, and, when big enough, he would frequently carry me twelve miles on his back, trotting away with remarkable pluck. On my pig-hunting excursions he was useful in the extreme. As soon as the pig was killed and cleaned I used to lash it on his back, and away home. I was almost as proud of Toby as a gentleman of his thoroughbred. The natives were quite astonished at this, and became very anxious to obtain cattle and train them in a similar manner, and for some years my calves were eagerly purchased at five pounds per head. Since that time their work is principally done by oxen and the Main Island is overrun with wild and tame cattle. Afterwards the natives having a mania for sheep, purchased some from me, and for a time took great care of them. Eventually, however, like children tired of their toys, they neglected to look after them, and they were all devoured by the dogs. Many successive attempts were made, but each was a failure. Still they saw how rapidly my flock had increased, and were anxious to try again; and during a visit paid them by Bishop Selwyn, his Lordship advised them to turn their attention to sheep once again. he told them they would supply both food and clothing. This made a great impression. They purchased from me hundreds at a time, and they now take good care of them, a shepherd being constantly watching. If they persevere in this, they will do well. At the present moment sheep grazing is their great hobby, and should I continue to sell as I have done, the Chatham Islands will very soon be stocked. Some years since there was a great mania for horses; as much as two hundred pounds in produce has been given for one, and they were quite proud and elated with their prancing steeds, riding them through the country at a fearful pace. At present the Island is almost overstocked; but the poor brutes are treated with great cruelty, and not unfrequently die under their riders. They will ride one the whole of the day, tie it up to a post at night, and leave it there for many days, with scarcely a blade of grass within reach; in fact, nothing can exceed their
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inhumanity to dumb animals. My personal attention was now directed to sheep farming, fencing and seeding down paddock after paddock. About two hundred acres are at present enclosed and turfed over. Upon this I keep some of my sheep and horses, and cows during the time of their giving milk. The remainder run on the plains, which are almost overstocked. During the time of the Melbourne diggings, vessels were continually arriving from Sydney and Melbourne. I then became a potato and wheat grower upon a large scale, and found a ready market for everything. This materially increased the comforts of my family, and added a considerable amount to my exchequer. The waters that surround Pitt's Island have long been considered the best whaling ground in the South Pacific. This I duly advertised in the American papers, naming my residence as a most convenient place for getting supplies. For some succeeding years from sixteen to twenty vessels annually arrived, and most of them became customers. This created a great stir amongst us; occasionally as many as six noble vessels would be anchored in front of my dwelling, and sometimes as many as seven boats' crews would land at one time for supplies. My terms were either barter or cash, and I succeeded in selling several hundreds of pounds worth annually. During one day, fourteen hundred barrels of sperm oil wore taken, and this was a time of great excitement. Occasionally a captain would arrive, bringing his wife with him. We have been favored with the society of ladies for months at a time, and this made things very pleasant. The busy seasons lasted about five years; the ground then became pretty well cut up. After a few years' rest, without doubt the fish will return, and therefore I still anticipate the pleasure of welcoming my American friends again. I now became so overstocked with goods that it was necessary to open a store on the Main Island, as there was no other means of converting them into cash. For this purpose I employed a native agent of the name of Paramene, who proved to be a most honest and trustworthy man. The gold discoveries in Otago was my next stimulus, and it opened another good market for my produce, also for fat wethers. Yet, not contented with being a grower, I must needs become the purchaser of one hundred tons of potatoes. The year proved a prolific one everywhere, and not a purchaser came forward. Thus potatoes and goods were totally lost; so after paying my agent his commission for buying, selling, and store rent, I wound up with a loss of three hundred pounds. After this I resolved to sell only for cash, realising a fair profit; perhaps it was a salutary lesson to deter me from embarking in further speculation, or having too many irons in the fire; indeed, as long as I can secure a good market for produce, and for wool, of which I have from sixteen to twenty thousand pounds weight in stock,I shall be contented to keep in my old beaten track.
