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The book is a personal memoir of the author's journey to New Zealand, where he hopes to make a new life for himself. The author recounts his travels on the ship "Mary Anne" and his initial experiences in Christchurch, where he meets influential families and decides to work as a cadet on a sheep run. He learns about sheep farming, faces various challenges, and gains valuable experience in rural life. The author also joins a survey party, travels to the Ashburton, and works as a bush contractor, before falling ill with gastric fever. After recovering, he joins his friends on a journey to the gold diggings, where they face numerous challenges and ultimately decide to leave. The author takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. Throughout his journey, the author faces various challenges, learns valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, and adaptability, and reflects on the importance of following one's dreams. The author eventually decides to leave New Zealand and travel to India, where his brother has offered him a position in the engineering line. He visits Melbourne, enjoys his time there, and eventually departs for India, where he enters state service and remains for thirty-five years. The book is a detailed account of the author's experiences in New Zealand, including his time as a sheep farmer, surveyor, and bush contractor, as well as his journeys to the gold diggings and his eventual departure from the country.
The author recounts his journey to New Zealand, where he hopes to make a new life for himself. He travels on the ship "Mary Anne" with his friend C, and they face various challenges, including a white squall and encounters with rats and sharks. After arriving in New Zealand, they settle in Christchurch and meet with influential families, including the Bishop and the Chief Justice. The author decides to work as a cadet on a sheep run, where he learns about sheep farming and experiences the challenges of rural life. He later joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he works as a bush contractor and becomes ill with gastric fever. After recovering, he joins his friends on a journey to the gold diggings, where they face difficulties and ultimately decide to leave. The author then takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. Throughout his journey, the author faces various challenges and learns valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, and the importance of following one's dreams.
The author recounts his journey to the gold diggings, where he and his friends face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain, harsh weather, and scarce supplies. Despite their determination, they ultimately decide to leave the diggings due to the lack of success and the difficulties they encounter. The author reflects on the experience, noting the beauty of the landscape and the camaraderie among the diggers, but also the hardships and disappointments. He eventually finds employment on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge.
The author visits Port Lyttelton and Christchurch, where he meets with friends and influential families, including the Bishop and the Chief Justice. He spends a month visiting and deciding on a course of action, eventually accepting an invitation to visit a sheep station at Malvern Hills. At the station, he learns about sheep farming and experiences the challenges of rural life. The author also reflects on the differences between the social classes in Christchurch, with the squatters and gentlemen forming a distinct group. He notes that newcomers are often referred to as "new chums" until they have proven themselves in bush life. The author's friend C--- is initially hesitant to take on a role at the sheep station, but eventually accepts an offer to become an overseer. However, C--- later decides to return home, leaving the author to continue on his own. The author then joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering. He also spends time at a cattle station, where he learns about cattle ranching and stockriding. The author and his friends eventually decide to leave the gold diggings and attempt to drive fat cattle to the diggings, but they fail and return to Dunedin. The author then takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. Throughout his journey, the author faces various challenges and learns valuable lessons about perseverance, hard work, and the importance of following one's dreams.
The author recounts his decision to leave Christchurch and travel to Nelson as a cadet on a sheep run, where he would work and learn the skills necessary to become a successful sheep farmer. He and his friend C--- set out on horseback, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Lee, and face various challenges along the way, including difficult terrain and inclement weather. Upon arriving at the sheep run, the author is introduced to the daily routines and tasks involved in sheep farming, including mustering, shearing, and lambing. He also learns about the importance of scab management and the precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The author's friend C--- eventually decides to return to Ireland, and the author is left to continue on his own, feeling a sense of loneliness and uncertainty about his future.
The author describes his life on a sheep run, where he learned about sheep farming and the challenges of rural life. He explains the process of scab management and the precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The author's friend C--- leaves for home, and he is left to continue on his own. He reflects on the difficulties of adjusting to a new life in New Zealand and the importance of perseverance and hard work. The author also describes his experiences with pig hunting and the skills required for this activity.
The author recounts his experiences as a shepherd on a sheep station, where he learned to drive sheep, kill wild pigs, and navigate the challenges of rural life. He also describes his journey to Christchurch, where he delivered a flock of fat wethers and was reunited with his friends. The author reflects on the difficulties of driving sheep over long distances and the importance of finding good grazing land. He also shares a story about killing a wild sow using a tether rope and recounts his experiences with mirages on the New Zealand plains. Additionally, the author describes his time at a cattle station, where he learned about cattle ranching and stockriding, and his journey to the gold diggings, where he faced numerous challenges and disappointments.
The author joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he learns about surveying and gains valuable experience. He then visits his friend Smith, who is the overseer of a sheep and cattle station, and spends a month with him, enjoying pig hunting and other amusements. The author reflects on the life of a stockrider and the management of a cattle station, and also describes his experiences with mirages on the New Zealand plains.
The author recounts his experiences as a wild pig hunter on the plains of New Zealand. He describes the thrill of the hunt, the skills required to track and catch the pigs, and the dangers involved. The author and his friends use kangaroo dogs and horses to chase the pigs, and they employ various tactics to outmaneuver and capture them. The author also describes the optical illusions he witnessed on the New Zealand plains, including mirages and inverted landscapes. He spends a month with his friend Smith on the Ashburton, where they engage in pig hunting and other amusements. The author then accepts an offer to join a bush contractor, Metcalfe, and works with him for several months, felling and cutting up timber in the forest. However, he falls ill with gastric fever and is forced to stop working. After recovering, he joins his friends on a journey to the gold diggings, where they face numerous challenges and difficulties.
The author recounts his experiences as a stockrider and cattle rancher, describing the skills required for these occupations and the challenges faced in mustering and managing large herds of wild cattle. He also shares stories of his time at Smith's station, where he participated in pig hunting and learned about the local wildlife and geography. The author reflects on the importance of perseverance, hard work, and adaptability in overcoming the difficulties of colonial life, and notes that these qualities are essential for success in the colonies.
The author takes employment with a bush contractor, Metcalfe, and works on constructing station buildings on the Ashburton. However, he soon falls ill with gastric fever and is forced to stop working. After recovering, he joins his friends Smith and Legge on a journey to the gold diggings in Otago. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. Despite these obstacles, they eventually arrive at the diggings and begin working, but they soon realize that the gold is not as plentiful as they had hoped. The author and his friends decide to leave the diggings and attempt to drive fat cattle to the area for sale, but they fail and return to Dunedin. The author then takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge.
The author recounts his journey to the Lindis gold diggings, where he and his friends face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain, harsh weather, and scarce supplies. Along the way, they meet various characters, including a hospitable old clergyman and a Jewish peddler. Despite the difficulties, they eventually arrive at the diggings, only to find that the gold is not as plentiful as they had hoped. The author describes the daily life on the diggings, including the use of long Toms and cradles to wash for gold, and the establishment of a self-constituted form of government among the diggers. However, after two months, the author and his friends decide to leave the diggings and attempt to drive fat cattle to the area for sale, but they fail and return to Dunedin. The author then takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge.
The author describes his life on the gold diggings, where he and his friends face numerous challenges, including scarce supplies and harsh weather conditions. They establish a self-constituted form of government among the diggers, with a president and chief who hear cases of misdemeanor and inflict punishment. The author and his friends work hard, but their provisions run short, and they are forced to buy supplies from the stores at high prices. They also encounter peddlers and liquor merchants who take advantage of the diggers' weaknesses. After two months, the author and his friends decide to leave the diggings and attempt to drive fat cattle to the area for sale, but they fail and return to Dunedin. The author then takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge.
The author recounts his decision to leave the gold diggings and attempt to drive fat cattle to the area for sale. However, they fail in this endeavor and return to Dunedin. The author then takes up a post on a run at Mesopotamia, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering. He later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. The author reflects on his experiences and the challenges he faced, including the harsh weather conditions and the difficulties of driving cattle. He also notes the kindness of strangers, such as an old retired clergyman who provides them with food and shelter. The author's journey is marked by ups and downs, but he perseveres and continues to work towards his goals.
The author leaves Christchurch and travels to Nelson as a cadet on a sheep run, where he works and learns the skills necessary to become a successful sheep farmer. He faces various challenges, including difficult terrain and inclement weather, and eventually joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton. The author also spends time at a cattle station, where he learns about cattle ranching and stockriding, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. Additionally, the author recounts his experiences as a wild pig hunter on the plains of New Zealand and his time at Mesopotamia station, where he works on road-making and sheep mustering.
The author recounts his experiences during the winter in the Southern Alps, where he faced intense cold and instances of frostbite. He shares a story about a young fellow who got frostbitten and had to have both feet amputated. The author also describes his own experience of seeking sheep in the snow, where he and his companions had to navigate through deep snow and icy terrain. They discovered a number of sheep living under the snow, and the author explains how the sheep's body heat keeps the snow melted, creating a compartment for them to live in. On their return journey, one of the companions, Cook, began to show signs of weariness and eventually collapsed, forcing the others to carry him back to the station. The author also recounts a story about a horse that bolted and threw him off, leaving him stunned and injured.
The author recounts his experiences during the winter in the Southern Alps, where he faced intense cold and instances of frostbite. He shares a story about a young fellow who got frostbitten and had to have both feet amputated. The author also describes his own experience of seeking sheep in the snow, where he and his companions had to navigate through deep snow and icy terrain. They discovered a number of sheep living under the snow, and the author explains how the sheep's body heat keeps the snow melted, creating a compartment for them to live in. The author then joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he learns about surveying and gains valuable experience. Later, he visits his friend Smith, who is the overseer of a sheep and cattle station, and spends a month with him, enjoying pig hunting and other amusements. The author reflects on the life of a stockrider and the management of a cattle station. He also describes his experiences with mirages on the New Zealand plains. The author decides to leave Christchurch and travel to Nelson as a cadet on a sheep run, where he works and learns the skills necessary to become a successful sheep farmer. He faces various challenges, including difficult terrain and inclement weather, and eventually joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton. The author also spends time at a cattle station, where he learns about cattle ranching and stockriding, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. The author starts on an exploring expedition to the Wanaka Lake, where he and his companions face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. They travel through the Lindis Pass and arrive at McClean's station, where they receive a hearty welcome and an excellent dinner. The author is impressed by the beauty of the Wanaka Lake and the surrounding mountains. He and his companions continue their journey, exploring the new country and setting fire to the bush and grass to make their progress evident. They have a close shave with death when they are caught in a fire, but manage to escape with their lives. The author returns to work, continuing his study of surveying and contracting, and derives a good return from his sheep. He decides to leave New Zealand and travel to India, where his brother has offered him a position in the engineering line. The author visits Melbourne and enjoys his time there, taking excursions up country and visiting the gold diggings at Ballarat. He eventually departs for India on the P. and O. mail boat, stopping at King George's Sound and Point de Galle along the way. The author arrives in Bombay and enters state service, where he remains for thirty-five years.
The author continues his exploration trip to the Wanaka Lake, where he and his companions face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. They travel through the Lindis Pass and arrive at McClean's station, where they receive a hearty welcome and an excellent dinner. The author is impressed by the beauty of the Wanaka Lake and the surrounding mountains. During their journey, they encounter a timber raft coming down the lake and learn about the contractor's plans to float timber down the river to the coast. The author and his companions eventually reach the head of the lake and begin their inspection of the new country, setting fire to the bush and grass to mark their progress. However, they have a close call with death when they are caught in a fire and have to escape into the open water. After their exploration, they return to Christchurch, where the author decides to leave New Zealand and travel to India to pursue a career in engineering. He visits Melbourne and enjoys his time there, taking excursions up country and visiting the gold diggings at Ballarat. The author eventually departs for India on the P. and O. mail boat, stopping at King George's Sound and Point de Galle along the way. He arrives in Bombay and enters state service, where he remains for thirty-five years.
The author recounts his experiences during the winter in the Southern Alps, where he faced intense cold and instances of frostbite. He shares a story about a young fellow who got frostbitten and had to have both feet amputated. The author also describes his own experience of seeking sheep in the snow, where he and his companions had to navigate through deep snow and icy terrain. They discovered a number of sheep living under the snow, and the author explains how the sheep's body heat keeps the snow melted, creating a compartment for them to live in. On their return journey, one of the companions, Cook, began to show signs of weariness and eventually collapsed, forcing the others to carry him back to the station. The author then joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he learns about surveying and gains valuable experience. Later, he visits his friend Smith, who is the overseer of a sheep and cattle station, and spends a month with him, enjoying pig hunting and other amusements. The author reflects on the life of a stockrider and the management of a cattle station, and also describes his experiences with mirages on the New Zealand plains. The author decides to leave Christchurch and travel to Nelson as a cadet on a sheep run, where he works and learns the skills necessary to become a successful sheep farmer. He faces various challenges, including difficult terrain and inclement weather, and eventually joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton. The author also spends time at a cattle station, where he learns about cattle ranching and stockriding, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. The author starts on an exploring expedition to the Wanaka Lake, where he and his companions face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. They travel through the Lindis Pass and arrive at McClean's station, where they receive a hearty welcome and an excellent dinner. The author is impressed by the beauty of the Wanaka Lake and the surrounding mountains. He and his companions continue their journey, exploring the new country and setting fire to the bush and grass to make their progress evident. They have a close shave with death when they are caught in a fire, but manage to escape with their lives. The author returns to work, continuing his study of surveying and contracting, and derives a good return from his sheep. He decides to leave New Zealand and travel to India, where his brother has offered him a position in the engineering line. The author visits Melbourne and enjoys his time there, taking excursions up country and visiting the gold diggings at Ballarat. He eventually departs for India on the P. and O. mail boat, stopping at King George's Sound and Point de Galle along the way. The author arrives in Bombay and enters state service, where he remains for thirty-five years.
The author recounts his experiences during the winter in the Southern Alps, where he faced intense cold and instances of frostbite. He shares a story about a young fellow who got frostbitten and had to have both feet amputated. The author also describes his own experience of seeking sheep in the snow, where he and his companions had to navigate through deep snow and icy terrain. They discovered a number of sheep living under the snow, and the author explains how the sheep's body heat keeps the snow melted, creating a compartment for them to live in. The author then joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he learns about surveying and gains valuable experience. Later, he visits his friend Smith, who is the overseer of a sheep and cattle station, and spends a month with him, enjoying pig hunting and other amusements. The author reflects on the life of a stockrider and the management of a cattle station, and also describes his experiences with mirages on the New Zealand plains. The author decides to leave Christchurch and travel to Nelson as a cadet on a sheep run, where he works and learns the skills necessary to become a successful sheep farmer. He faces various challenges, including difficult terrain and inclement weather, and eventually joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton. The author also spends time at a cattle station, where he learns about cattle ranching and stockriding, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. The author starts on an exploring expedition to the Wanaka Lake, where he and his companions face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. They travel through the Lindis Pass and arrive at McClean's station, where they receive a hearty welcome and an excellent dinner. The author is impressed by the beauty of the Wanaka Lake and the surrounding mountains. He and his companions continue their journey, exploring the new country and setting fire to the bush and grass to make their progress evident. They have a close shave with death when they are caught in a fire, but manage to escape with their lives. The author returns to work, continuing his study of surveying and contracting, and derives a good return from his sheep. He decides to leave New Zealand and travel to India, where his brother has offered him a position in the engineering line. The author visits Melbourne and enjoys his time there, taking excursions up country and visiting the gold diggings at Ballarat. He eventually departs for India on the P. and O. mail boat, stopping at King George's Sound and Point de Galle along the way. The author arrives in Bombay and enters state service, where he remains for thirty-five years.
The author recounts his experiences during the winter in the Southern Alps, where he faced intense cold and instances of frostbite. He shares a story about a young fellow who got frostbitten and had to have both feet amputated. The author also describes his own experience of seeking sheep in the snow, where he and his companions had to navigate through deep snow and icy terrain. They discovered a number of sheep living under the snow, and the author explains how the sheep's body heat keeps the snow melted, creating a compartment for them to live in. The author then joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton, where he learns about surveying and gains valuable experience. Later, he visits his friend Smith, who is the overseer of a sheep and cattle station, and spends a month with him, enjoying pig hunting and other amusements. The author reflects on the life of a stockrider and the management of a cattle station, and also describes his experiences with mirages on the New Zealand plains. The author decides to leave Christchurch and travel to Nelson as a cadet on a sheep run, where he works and learns the skills necessary to become a successful sheep farmer. He faces various challenges, including difficult terrain and inclement weather, and eventually joins a survey party and travels to the Ashburton. The author also spends time at a cattle station, where he learns about cattle ranching and stockriding, and later obtains a contract for making cuttings and bridging in the Lower Ashburton gorge. The author starts on an exploring expedition to the Wanaka Lake, where he and his companions face numerous challenges, including treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. They travel through the Lindis Pass and arrive at McClean's station, where they receive a hearty welcome and an excellent dinner. The author is impressed by the beauty of the Wanaka Lake and the surrounding mountains. He and his companions continue their journey, exploring the new country and setting fire to the bush and grass to make their progress evident. They have a close shave with death when they are caught in a fire, but manage to escape with their lives. The author returns to work, continuing his study of surveying and contracting, and derives a good return from his sheep. He decides to leave New Zealand and travel to India, where his brother has offered him a position in the engineering line. The author visits Melbourne and enjoys his time there, taking excursions up country and visiting the gold diggings at Ballarat. He eventually departs for India on the P. and O. mail boat, stopping at King George's Sound and Point de Galle along the way. The author arrives in Bombay and enters state service, where he remains for thirty-five years.